Why shouldn't I park in disabled spaces?

Question

I get really fed up with seeing rows of 20/30 disabled bays directly outside shops which are often 75% empty. If disabled people want to be treated as equals shouldn't they be made to park the same as everyone else? Sometimes I've had to pick up some heavy goods so I've parked in one and I've had some able bodied person have a right go at me! I've never once seen anymore than 2/3 wheel chairs in a store at any one time so I don't see what the issue is and besides as most disabled people are on benefits they will probably spend less money in those stores than myself as I work for a living and earn a lot more.

Is "sweet sweet jane" trying to suggess that all partents are somehow disabled?

OK so I've hit a raw nerve but to actually wish me to have an accident? Nice.

Er...I hate to point out Amanda that if I were to slip and break my neck I wouldn't actually be able to drive.

Question: How did "i_come_f" read my question if, as he states, he is blind?

Answer 1

You can squawk all you want, but if you continue to use disabled bays then expect trouble.

Answer 2

I hope you never become disabled Joe. It is not something to make fun of much less argue about disabled parking places. All of these people are very upset which I am sure you have seen if you have read any of the answers on here. It is not something to make light of. People who have disabilities especially those with physical ones, have just a right to shop as you do. The only thing is that you can walk and some can't. You might be surprised at how many people with disabilities are working and living on their own these days. I think you need to learn a thing or two.

Answer 3

Disabled people want to be treated as equals, but some of them do need some special facilities due to the limits their disability makes for them.

A person in a wheelchair wouldn't even be able to get in and out of their car in a normal parking space. They need wider spaces because of the wheelchair. A person who has a serious heart disease or some condition that causes them to be in a lot of pain for example, needs to be able to park near the entrance, because walking further would be more painful or possibly a risk to their health (by the way, not all disabled people use a wheel chair, there are other types of disabilities and some of them are invisible on the outside).

Disabled people need to go shopping for necessities like the rest of us. They need those special parking spaces to be able to do that.

I personally have never seen as many vacant disabled bays as you describe in one place during opening hours. Usually there are just a few parking spaces designated for disabled people and they're usually all full.

I don't see what the problem is anyway. If you're healthy it shouldn't be a problem for you to walk a little further. If you're jealous of disabled people for having parking spaces near the entrance then perhaps you should try spending a couple of days in a wheelchair and see how jealous you'll be when you discover how simple daily activities can be quite difficult, especially when there is lack of good facilities like disabled parking bays.

It is not about how much money you will spend in the store, it's about giving everyone a chance to live a normal life and good enough access to be able to do things like shopping themselves.

Parking in a disabled space without a blue badge is both inconsiderate and illegal.

Answer 4

Oh! have you hit a nerve...

I am one of many disabled people who uses disabled spaces. I Have a disability. I use a wheelchair, walker an curtches., depending on wheather. Bieng disabled I walk slower than most and need those disabled spaces, you so kindly use up.

I should probably mention for you that are different degrees and levels to the same disability. for example, I not only have a moderate case of CP (Cerebral Palsy) for those that don't know what CP stands for. For me what gives you the ablity to walk "normal" like those without disabilities does not work right. I do however "feel" everything. I have friends with the same disablity as mine but much more sevre. I am also leagally blind, but that does not mean I can see nothing.

As I said, disablities are often in degrees. The more severe the type of codition, invisible or not, The more a person qualifies for those disabled spaces.

You can not decide who qualifies to park there only a doctor can do that.

So, please dont tell me, we " the real disabled community" dont have the right to park in those spaces marked for us. In actuality, when you park there you take away the right for a disabled person to access or enjoy the same things you do.

As for having to many Disabled Parking spaces, when ever I go anywhere, there are hardly ever any open spaces for the disabled to park. Probably because people like you are using them.

The disabled are people too and can often do the same as everyone else. Believe it or not, some of us do work for a living.

You never really know if the person behind you needs that space designated for them. Warning, think twice before parking in disabled spaces. All some one needs to do is take down your license plate and report it.

I can tell you that illegally parking in a disabled space often carries a a big fine.

Answer 5

Joe, I have witnessed this also. Not sure why it is about. At a church parking lot, anyone could park with an exception of a few disabled spaces. Now, all 22 spaces are marked handicapped.

I give you credit that you are healthy and can work and spend more, and are able to lift. Good for you.

Not everyone is fortunate, though. Peace.

I have rheumatoid arthritis in my hands making lifting or carrying very difficult, and am disabled. If you saw me, you wouldn't say wow that girl needs assistance, but what I have is true.

I truly do feel for the disabled, and hope I don't get worse as the years progress.

Thanks for listening to me.

Answer 6

I am partially disabled and have a very hard time walking for long periods of time, carrying heavy items, and sometimes pushing a shopping cart. I do NOT park in disabled parking because I think myself fortunate to be ABLE to walk and not as disabled as some.. It doesn't hurt me to walk with my limitations, why should it hurt you other than the fact that you think YOU'RE special or else too lazy to walk a few extra feet.

Be grateful you can walk those few extra feet, that you can work, and are not limited in the money you can spend. Stay out of parking that is for the truly disabled.

Quit complaining. If it were your relative with a disability, I bet you would change your tune.

FYI, there are plenty of the disabled that work for a living and choose not to receive benefits. For those who do receive benefits, they are probably unable to work. Does that mean they deserve any less respect? You are one of the most uncompassionate people I've ever heard.

Answer 7

I am a disabled person with a disability that is not obvious. I don't always have to use the ride-on carts in stores, but when I do, people look at me as if I have committed a crime. I have been challenged about it several times. I have also had people take my license down, even though I had a handicapped placard in the window. They did not believe I was handicapped.
In a few places, it is easy to find handicapped spots, but most of the time, it is difficult. I have seen people without any indication of handicap and no official decal or license plate pull into a handicapped spot right in front of me.
I am also wondering, are you one of those who park their shopping carts in the middle of a handicapped spot? But that's a problem for another time.

Answer 8

You've got some real issues... And I must say, you are very selfish. Physical limitations make it difficult, and in MANY cases DANGEROUS for disabled people to A) not have the extra room between spaces (I'm sorry, but a wheelchair, walker, crutches, etc just will not fit between two closely packed cars) B.) Not be near enough to the building. Many people have heart conditions that make it nearly impossible for them to walk or push themselves a great distance. Some people (like myself) are blind, and when their escort takes them to the store it is much safer to be near the building than to navigate the parking lot with selfish *******s who don't give a damn if they have a cane and will drive out in front of them anyway. It has nothing at all to do with how much you spend in the store. The spaces aren't special VIP spaces for the store's best customers. They are there to give the disabled a chance to be on an EVEN PLAYING FIELD with the able bodied/able minded. If you really want to park in those spaces so badly, go pretend you're a blind person and stand in the far corner of a parking lot until some able-bodied jerk decides to run you flat. Then you will DEFINITELY be allowed to park where you like.

*****EDIT***** Answer to the question aimed at me directly... You show a significent lack of knowledge about how the disabled function on an evan playing field. I read your question the same way I read everything on the computer. With a screen reader that converts text to speach. It is called JAWS and if you want to further educate yourself you'd do well to visit freedomscientific.com

And stay out of our spaces.

Answer 9

You obviously do not understand the purpose of these designated disabled spots. And you must shop at entirely different stores than I do - because where I shop disabled spots are usually full.

#1 Parking close by is a safety issue. A person who use a wheelchair or a scooter cannot be seen by cars as they are backing out. So their spaces are places so they are less likely to have to roll behind a backing out vehicle.

#2 A person whose vehicle has a wheelchair lift needs a wider space. The lift takes up nearly another space, but is only needed when the lift is engaged. That is why two spaces can share one space with vertical lines.

#3 Some people need wider spaces because they need to open their doors completely to get out of their car. They may use a walker, crutches, or a cane.

#4 Some people need close spaces because they have medical conditions which mean they cannot walk far, cannot be outside very long, or other reasons.

You sound like a real prince to think that the fact you earn more money means you should get better parking.

ETA: You truly are ignorant aren't you? People who have spinal cord injuries, even very high ones can still drive with special driving controls as long as they can still use their arms. People who are blind can read using screen readers and other assistive technology devices.

Answer 10

There is a need for spaces for disabled people. In some cases, there may be an over abundance of spaces, but, as you are able to do the right things, maybe you could have gotten a cart for those heavy goods or parked with double lights on. You are the one who is not disabled and have the ability to make the extra effort even if everything isn't perfect. There are people in the world with severe physical disabilities and they do go to the store. As you work for a living, you can also work to try to help people with challenges.

Answer 11

I will admit that some places do have too many Handicapped parking spaces alotted for the disabled. I am disabled, and I do not drive, my son takes me where I need to go. He drops me off at the door and parks the car. I haven't gotten my tags yet, but should since there have been times where I needed to leave earlier than my son, and I can't walk far so I end up sitting on a bench waiting. No, we don't get as much money as what we did when we worked, but, if you were like me and have grown sons at home, they pay me rent which goes to buy my necessities like clothing, perfume, things I couldn't afford otherwise. I probably spend more than you do since I don't have to pay out as much for things. I don't own a big beautiful home, new car, ect.