Unfortunately, the following article from the Bucks Free Press is typical of what legitimate bay users all too often experience.
Disabled parker suffered abuse too
I HAVE just read Janna Dawson's letter, posted on your web site a week ago and in Midweek letters on December 30, regarding the less than sympathetic treatment she experienced whilst Christmas shopping with her sister who suffers from MS.
I too suffer from MS so I identified particularly with her story.
A friend of mine, who also suffers from MS, was parking in a disabled bay when he noticed that the woman parking in the next bay was able-bodied.
He said: "Excuse me but that is a disabled parking bay," to which she replied: "I'm only popping into the shop for two minutes."
He said "That's not the point. The bay is reserved for the disabled."
She looked him straight in the eye and said: "How would you like to be more disabled?"
Fortunately the vast majority of people are compassionate but there seems to be an element that think those of us who are infirm should be put down.
Spencer Arnott
Tuesday 13th January 2004
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The Disabled Drivers Motor Club is, quite rightly, very closely involved with the Department of Transport and many others in awareness raising and active campaigning. This is a very interesting page which may provide many ideas for your own campaign. |
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Handipark is a mini parking barrier that is installed directly onto the road surface to reserve a blue bay for use by a disabled driver. To access the space the driver simply presses the button on a hand-held remote control device, which automatically lowers the barrier. Handipark will then remain down until the car has left the space, when the barrier will rise back to the vertical position, smoothly and automatically. |
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Spacehog electronic monitoring is the proven low-cost solution to ensure the availability of disabled bays and discourage able bodied driver abuse. Battery powered (optional mains) highly visible sensor which operates in conjunction with a Talking Sign and/or Electronic Visual message, to provide a comprehensive proven deterrent to potential disabled parking bay abuse. |
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The aim of the Baywatch Campaign is to combat the abuse of parking bays designated for disabled people, and encourage service providers to ensure parking bays are of the right size - and amount - for disabled people. So far, the Baywatch campaign has worked with a number of service providers, providing advice and support on best practice when it comes to parking for disabled people. As far as Baywatch is concerned, there's no excuse for parking abuse. |
