Disabled people are being cheated out of disabled parking spots.

[go-tazz]

IMHO it's about time that the state Government notified the doctors that they will be held responsible and fined

for handing out disabled stickers to people that clearly don't need them.

It is getting way out of hand where you see two fit and healthy people hop out of a car that's parked in a 

disabled spot with the disabled sticker on the dash or hanging from the mirror,(you then see people that have a

need for those parking spots struggle out of a car in a normal parking spot further up the road).

I've asked some of those why they have the sticker and most of the replies were that the doctor said that they

were entitled to one,(based on that they where over 65).

The worst offenders seem to be the ones that drive the "status" symbol cars and some owners with the big

massive 4 WD which they have no trouble getting out of,(contrary to the sticker).

IMHO the sticker should also have a code on it as to why they have the sticker,(that way there can be some sort

of check by Parking inspectors for when they see the people).

How many do you see in Victoria that have one of these reasons for needing one:

Category One

To be eligible for a category one permit:

• a Medical Practitioner must confirm that an individual has a significant ambulatory disability and they cannot access a vehicle in an ordinary parking bay, or they are required to use a complex walking aid* that prevents access to a vehicle in an ordinary parking bay, or
• a Medical Practitioner must confirm that an individual has either an acute or chronic illness in which minimal walking may endanger their health, or
• a Specialist Medical Practitioner or Clinical Psychologist must confirm that an individual is an extreme danger to themselves and others in a public place without assistance by a carer.

*A complex walking aid is defined as an aid which has more than one contact point with the ground

Category Two

To be eligible for a category two permit:

• A Medical Practitioner must confirm that an individual has a significant ambulatory disability or severe illness which does not affect their ability to walk, however they require rest breaks when continuous walking is undertaken.

That only account for a small number of people that have stickers.

Most stickers are used by people who walk from their cars to the shops unassisted or with walking sticks,(none

of which qualify according to those rules).

It's about that they removed the stickers from the true shysters that don't need them,(and if they allow them for

others then clarify the rules and include those).

[grandmoon]

Do you think that a person who suffers with cardiomyopathy is intitled to a sticker  ??

[purple_haize]

Just because you cant see the persons disability, doesnt mean they dont have one.....

Getting a disability sticker is not as easy as you say it is. I know of some councils that refuse to give a sticker, even though the person is entitled to one...

[lloydslights]

I have a problem with people who use the sticker dishonestly.  A relative who borrows the car to dash around to do their own shopping whilst the disabled person is still at home.

Was watching something on video yesterday where a clamp down by parking police were  booking people abusing the system.  The fines were quite substantial

DEB

[this-one-time-at-bandcamp]

If that cardiomyopathy impairs their ability to function, then, yes, CM is a valid reason.  I currently have a handicapped placard, issued by the state of Oregon, due to my inability to walk over100 yards without resting.  I recently applied for it, not the least because the city recently made allparking in the vicinity of the library paid parking, and free parking is just too far away.

In 1988, after my transplant, I had a temporary placard, and one day I pulled into a store, getting the only available H/C parking spot, which apparently PO'd a couple of blue-hairs, who had their near-sighted eyes on the same space.  As I exited the car, I was accosted by this $phincter in a 3-piece suit and a pager (most likely a lawyer) who threatened to call the police if I didn't immediately vacate that parking space.  To this day I regret not telling him to go ahead and call.  Alas, I did not, but suggested he look on my dash board for my placard.

His response was  (and here it comes) that I didn't look handicapped............  And that is the crux of the matter.  I took off my shirt, and displayed for his edification, the scar from my throat to my abdomen, which pretty much shut him up.  I then apologized for not having an "H" tatooed on my forehead, and his retreat turned into a rout.

[punch*drunk]

The stickers are coded, if you know where to look they tell you the owners age, gender and even whether or not they are the driver. They arent that easy to get, but I imagine they are pretty easy to take advantage of, I had one in my car for dad and probably could have easily parked in a disabled spot whether I had him with me or not. I suppose the disabled parking spots need better policing but imagine what that would cost.

[this-one-time-at-bandcamp]

I've been fighting with the state of Oregon because they are creating a class of "super-handicapped"  and I feel it is not in the best interests of us "normal-handicapped.

[azureline**]

I have one in my car for my FIL, I don't use it myself.

Generally, I don't even pay attention to who uses these parking bays, none of my business, really.

I have severe osteo arthritis and would, according to my doctor, qualify for one. Some days I would need it, most days I don't, I just stay home instead.

I know people with a hidden condition ie:not obvious to others, who have one. Far too much judgement about it, imo.

[evil_akuma_2002]

"Disabled people are being cheated out of disabled parking spots."

True. That's why I've never applied for one. Despite having:

triple bypass surgery,

osteoarthritis in both knees,

Removal of a cancerous thyroid,

A steel rod in my forearm,

Diabetes,

and many more issues...

I feel that there are more worthy recipients than me!

And as indicated in an earlier post, there are no visible signs of my handicaps.

[***super_nova***]

I am most of the time in considerable pain; I often do not make it all the way around supermarket to all the spots I need to go.  But i do not have a sticker; after reading the conditions I did not feel I quite fit the criteria.  But it is not  hassle for me, if I need to shop I go early in the morning when there is nobody in the store, I park in bay, which is actually more conveniently located than the disabled bays.  In any case I find shopping in crowded store with long queues too difficult.  The only advantage I can see in having disabled sticker would be that the disabled bays are wider, but I do not really have a problem getting in and out of parking spots. 

However some people just are sticklers for their routine; I know some retired for 15 years, but they still go to shops Saturday mid morning, and queue up in bank to get cash out on pension day, although I know they have few grand in the saving account.

Of course, that does not excuse people who borrow granma's sticker.  I once saw a truck parked in the disabled bay, while the man was unloading boxes and carrying them to a shop.  Yes, he had a sticker.    Good to hear that parking officers are clamping down on people like that.