Bill May Give Blind Handicapped Parking

Yahoo ^ | 1/16/04

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Blind people would be allowed to get handicapped parking permits — even though they can't drive — under a bill introduced Friday by Rep. Chuck Martin.

The Alpharetta Republican defended the bill. Martin said the caretakers of blind people need to be allowed handicapped parking when escorting the blind. Parking lots are dangerous places for people who can't see cars coming, Martin said, so they should have the right to park closer to the buildings.

"It is possible that a blind person would have a car driven by their spouse or caregiver," the lawmaker said, adding that one of his constituents has just that problem.

The bill now heads to a House committee for consideration.

[raybbr]

How many times have you seen the person drive into the lot and put the sticker up on th mirror while driving in? Then they get out of the car and there is nothing wrong with them. I see that all the time. I think the spaces should only be used when the handicapped person is actually in the car.

[dougherty]

At least the blind are truly handicapped. Come to Houston and you'll see the youngest and most able-bodied handicap folks parking in those spots with their little handicap tag.

[MineralMan]

"How many times have you seen the person drive into the lot and put the sticker up on th mirror while driving in? Then they get out of the car and there is nothing wrong with them. I see that all the time. I think the spaces should only be used when the handicapped person is actually in the car.
"

Of course, and that's the law. You might try calling the cops. There are laws and hefty fines for misuse of handicapped placards.

On the other hand, not all disabilities are obvious. Some folks with heart conditions can look like they're just fine, but can't walk very far without being in real trouble. They are handicapped.

Normally, I don't assume someone isn't handicapped if they're using the placard. OTOH, when I see some high school kid pull into a space, put the placard on the mirror and hop out and run into the mall, I pretty much assume it's their gramma's car or something. Ticks me off as much as big healthy guys parking in the spaces.

And how about those college football stars. Every season we see stories about college sports players parking in the zones. If they're injured, I can see it, but that never seems to be the case.

Phooey on all people who misuse these spaces. Fine the heck out of 'em.

[dougherty]

Handicap parking permits are about as easy to get as a cold.

Yes, they are. One of the news channels here in Houston did a story on the widespread abuse of handicap tags. A co-worker once offered to get me one, lol. I told her exactly what I thought of able-bodied people using handicap stickers.

[MineralMan]

"Yes, they are. One of the news channels here in Houston did a story on the widespread abuse of handicap tags. A co-worker once offered to get me one, lol. I told her exactly what I thought of able-bodied people using handicap stickers."

Then that should be fixed, I think. However, getting rid of the handicapped spaces is not the way to do it. No doubt there are laws in Texas about misuse of handicapped placards or tags. These should be enforced, and violators fined.

Being handicapped is a bummer. We try to help those who need to park close to the stores, and that's a good thing. Many of us have parents and grandparents who need these spaces. If we don't, we will at some point.

Yes, there is abuse of the system, but what system is not without abuse? To hear some of the posters, the answer is to just remove the parking spaces, since some people use them improperly.

I think that's called throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

[gcruse]

Personally, I'd prefer something like a bumper sticker that says, "Don't follow me. I'm blind."

[Old Professer]

They probably have them on T.V. sets, too.

[MineralMan]

"They probably have them on T.V. sets, too.
"

Actually, there are TVs that have braille on the controls, and even on the remotes. Blind people use television, too. Y'all can listen to Fox just as well as watch it. Ask any blind person if they have a TV. You'll find that most do.

[Billthedrill]

You can, actually, drive if you're "legally blind," that is, uncorrected vision of 20/400 or worse. Since that must be correctable to something more acceptable (it differs state to state) it isn't, technically, impossible for someone who is legally blind to drive. Of course, why someone who is correctable to driveable would need a handicapped space is problematic.

It should be emphasized that the handicapped spaces aren't just for handicapped drivers. I recall picking my wheelchair-bound Dad up at an office one time - I pulled in and hopped out and sure enough, there was a self-righteous SOB who said "you don't look handicapped to me." Fortunately Dad was right behind him. In his best parade-ground voice he said "well, how do I look?" No reply.

[isom35]

hey, they let Geordi navigate the Enterprise for a season or 2.

[Kay Ludlow]

The ratios are calculated in a way that makes pretty sure there will be an available handicapped space when it is needed.

Not in this community. The planners just don't like seeing all those cars, so they restrict the total number of spaces more and more at the same time increasing the number of handicapped spaces. This being a college town with a very young average age, they usually are empty. I always laugh when I go to Lowes Home Improvement Center and see the 18 handicapped spaces. Not that there shouldn't be any but some places just aren't going to be frequented by that many disabled people.

The philosophy of the paid government planners here is that inconveniencing the average driver is just fine, because after all they can always take the bus. The bus that runs every 10 minutes through campus, but only 4 times a day through the residential areas... They are not using any formula, only looks - they don't want cars close to the stores as that's too unsightly. They know the spaces are mostly empty. All parking areas have to be camouflaged with lots of evergreens too, wouldn't want anyone passing through to think we are so uncouth as to drive!

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Why doesn't it make sense for the deaf to be parking closer as well? What's wrong with lessoning the chance of being struck by a car one cannot hear?

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

HANDICAPPED ONLY