Disabled placard abuse.

[Quickie]

I just saw a report on this. I am eligible and I have not gotten one.



Handicapped Parking Fraud - Handicapped Parking Violators - Help Make a Difference

[Kwesi]

In my area, I'm actually surprised that this isn't more common.

[jonathan_matos5]

i went to wal-mart and saw a motorcycle with the disabled placard taped to the gas tank. and the same day i saw a pickup truck with a 18 inch lift kit with one. i personally would like for the authorities that be to take account for what vehicle is applying for the disabled placard before issuing one. i see so many vehicles that the ability to operate them or even climb up into them pretty much proves that the individual is not disabled physically.

[Funky Ghost]

Not necessarily.

My ex mother in law looks normal for all intents and purposes, but she has an enlarged heart and can't walk very far before she is nearly exhausted. She has a 4x4 so draws a lot of looks when she gets out.

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by Funky Ghost

Not necessarily.

My ex mother in law looks normal for all intents and purposes, but she has an enlarged heart and can't walk very far before she is nearly exhausted. She has a 4x4 so draws a lot of looks when she gets out.

And this proves my point that there is ALWAYS an exception to every rule. And, in my opinion, there should be.

[macaroni tony]

Originally Posted by Funky Ghost

Not necessarily.

My ex mother in law looks normal for all intents and purposes, but she has an enlarged heart and can't walk very far before she is nearly exhausted. She has a 4x4 so draws a lot of looks when she gets out.

I'm glad somebody brought a point like this up.

Funky, how did your mother find out she had an enlarged heart? I had two friends that died playing basketball with enlarged hearts. They had no idea. Kinda scares me sometimes

[mkandolf]

I've been a big proponent of getting rid of the placard system altogether. It opened up all the abuse. Funny how most of the places you'll see the abuse at is Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Target. Those stores won't enforec the handicap parking at all yet at better stores they do or at least people aren't as likely to pull the fraud.

Let's go back to having the permanent tags for permanent disabilities only.

BTW, thanks for listing that site, but it looks inactive since June.

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Not surprising.

I think it's curious that Home Depot stores usually seem to have about 30 handicapped parking spaces out in front (they seem to be primarily for building contractors). Supermarkets that happen to share a shopping plaza with them usually have four to eight handicapped spaces.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by jonathan_matos5

i went to wal-mart and saw a motorcycle with the disabled placard taped to the gas tank. and the same day i saw a pickup truck with a 18 inch lift kit with one. i personally would like for the authorities that be to take account for what vehicle is applying for the disabled placard before issuing one. i see so many vehicles that the ability to operate them or even climb up into them pretty much proves that the individual is not disabled physically.

Often times, nondisabled people will borrow placards from their disabled family members, solely for the use of special parking priveleges.

The office I work in has something like 8-10 handicap spaces out front. Maybe 1 of them is ever used. I'd like to be able to park there, surely we can scale back the # of spaces needed. Are there some sort of govt requirements as to how many disabled parking spaces a lot must have? Like in proportion to non-disabled spaces or something?

[()smoke()]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Are there some sort of govt requirements as to how many disabled parking spaces a lot must have? Like in proportion to non-disabled spaces or something?

yes, exactly--the ADA

ADA Standards for Accessible Design

[macaroni tony]

At least these people are taking the time to even use a disabled placard

[bassguppy]

I do support most of the rules and guidelines from the ADA but there is always a lawyer willing to make a buck singling out small businesses. In Sacramento, there is a disabled lawyer who specifically searches out small businesses locally for their ADA compliance. If violations are found he will sue. That's fine but in California you can also be compensated for costs. The lawyer has filed over 1,000 lawsuits and usually settles before it dhows to court. He's made millions since 2003.

[pacojas]

Originally Posted by bassguppy

I do support most of the rules and guidelines from the ADA but there is always a lawyer willing to make a buck singling out small businesses. In Sacramento, there is a disabled lawyer who specifically searches out small businesses locally for their ADA compliance. If violations are found he will sue. That's fine but in California you can also be compensated for costs. The lawyer has filed over 1,000 lawsuits and usually settles before it dhows to court. He's made millions since 2003.

but he's making a difference.

[Gopherbassist]

I've never met anyone with a handicapped placard or plate that didn't get it from a doctor and wasn't actually handicapped. You can't tell what's wrong with some people just by looking at them, so I don't think this site serves any real purpose.

Also, I love hanging out with crippled people. Gimpy parking is the best.

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by pacojas

but he's making a difference.

So does a pile of s**t on your face. I know of this person & he is not doing it out of love or concern for anyone but himself.

[DwaynieAD]

Originally Posted by Funky Ghost

Not necessarily.

My ex mother in law looks normal for all intents and purposes, but she has an enlarged heart and can't walk very far before she is nearly exhausted. She has a 4x4 so draws a lot of looks when she gets out.

my cousin has cerebral palsy and despite years of physical therapy still walks awkwardly and with a limp, but people still give him crap for having one.. sad really

[A.Diva]

This irritates me. One of my family members has MS and needs those parking spaces. I have a neighbor whose mom passed 2 yrs ago (RIP). She is still using her mom's placard.

[Musiclogic]

I always get a kick out of the ones who use the hdcp spaces, ride the power carts in the store, then go chasing after something they dropped in the parking lot. I just stand there and shake my head.

[tastybasslines]

I'm not a big fan of that link.

My dad can walk fine, for about 2 min. So I can see him leaving the car and people getting up in arms. Meanwhile, they don't see him sitting on the nearest possible bench once he is inside.

[fourstringdrums]

Originally Posted by Gopherbassist

Also, I love hanging out with crippled people. Gimpy parking is the best.

I'm going to assume you mean this with humor and that you probably have some friends who are disabled who are ok with it, but as someone with cerebral palsy I can say that personally I HATE the words crippled or gimp being used. I have a friend who has CP and his wife calls him crippled and he thinks it's hilarious but it makes me cringe.

Anyway... I currently have a plate but when I move to NH next month I plan on getting a placard. I agree that not having them would cut down on the abuse but they're good for me if I'm not driving (which isn't often) and I need to find a spot. Though usually it's not a big deal..actually I sometimes park in a non-handicapped spot (sometimes right next to one) just for the heck of it and I know I probably irritate people who can't find a spot and see that I could have freed one up lol

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

Not surprising.

I think it's curious that Home Depot stores usually seem to have about 30 handicapped parking spaces out in front (they seem to be primarily for building contractors). Supermarkets that happen to share a shopping plaza with them usually have four to eight handicapped spaces.

One of my favorite jokes is "Why are there 30 handicapped spaces at Home Depot? If you can lay down flooring and put up drywall you can walk an extra 50 feet to the door". It's true though...you are closer to the door but you have to walk a mile and a half once you get into the store to get to your department lol