"I am not handicapped. I just parked there, sorry."
Monday December 18, 2006
People who inappropriately and illegally use handicapped parking spots are a major source of frustration for people with disabilities. It happens more often than you probably imagine. Inconsiderate people who do not have a disabling condition and who have not legally obtained a handicapped parking placard or permit are found using the designated spots. There are a limited number of handicapped parking spots at any given location. When handicapped parking spots are used illegally, it causes inconvenience and suffering to people who require the extra convenience because of physical limitations.
According to the Washington Post, a 29-year old man from South Carolina was sentenced to stand outside of a grocery store with a handmade sign which read, "I am not handicapped. I just parked there, sorry." The unique sentence came about because the man was unable to pay the possible $325 fine or take time away from work to serve a 30-day jail sentence. The magistrate felt the public apology was a proper sentence. The man promised not to repeat his offense. Do you think a public apology may be more of an effective deterrent than fines or jail time? What is your opinion?
Related Resources:
- Jealous of Able-Bodied People?
- How to Obtain a Handicapped Parking Permit
- Arthritis Can Create Awkward Situations
- People With Disabilities: Living in a "Normal World"
- Safe Driving Must Not Be Compromised by Arthritis Patients
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Photo by Denise Kappa (iStockphoto)
Comments
My opinion is….I have a handicapped parking permit, have severe JRA for 38 years and am tired of all the dirty looks if get when I park in the handicap parking, just because I am younger and not in a wheel chair, I am looked at as not needing to use the space. I have two replaced knees and reconstructed hands, with very active JRA. I want people to mind there own business if I am having a bad day and need to us the handicap space. So those who are unsure—BACK OFF!
Yes I think this is a great deterant. Humiliation is a strong force. Some kind of community service to help the handicapped would do more good, standing around with a sign doesnt really help anyone, but the idea is great.
I like the idea…but not as the best deterren for the guilty party. I think a jail sentence would be a much better deterrent for him/her, but all those potential abusers of the handicapped privelege that see the contrite sign will think twice before using a handicapped space illegally. As for another poster’s comment about being bothered by what people might think because she/he uses the space, appropriately, but does not use a wheel chair: I don’t believe that wheel chair accessible spaces should be made seperately. All spaces should be van accessible…that way anyone who is disabled can use any handicapped spot, as it should be,. In my experience, the vast majority of wheel chair patients have an easier time of it than those who could qualify for a wheel chair but don’t use one. These people should be able to park in any space that is available, regardless of whether it is van accessible or not.
All good comments Karen, Ann and PO. Regarding the use of Van Accessible Parking Spots I found a very interesting article. http://adabuild.com/publications/Technicalnotes/parktechvanaccess.html.
Why not both a sentence and stand outside with a sign saying what they did? Hit em’ hard and maybe they won’t do it again and others won’t! Melody
One thing that really annoys me is motorcycles parking in the “x”d out clearance lanes. I am so often tempted to run the lift out and turn the bike into a pile of scrap metal. Some day, I probably will.
I think they should serve community service and help a handicapped individual for that service. Then they would truly get a better perspective on why disabled people need parking so close.
sounds good to me and to add to the learning experience he could spend the day in a wheel chair navigating sidewalks and streets- I think that unless people have some kind of disability they do not understand- they are looking to save time and do not know the difficulties of movement for some of us. Also sometimes we do not need to use the handicap section although we have the permit because a few extra steps can be beneficial to our health re exercise- sometimes even folks with the permit take advantage when they could walk the extra steps and save it for another disabled folk- maybe we all need to be more thoughtful and not so fast at taking advantage of what we have,,
In some cases yes that would be good, but in most cases those whom choose to park in a handicap space illegally don’t give a rats butt as it did not happen to them. With so many people actually parking there illegally, standing out front of one store would do nothing to make an impact. That is kind of like rubbing in the face of those who are actually handicap and really need those spaces. For the 2ND part of this, no one would see this person in front most stores as there are too many people parking right at the entrance in the fire lanes too. ” O, I will only be in there for 5 minutes.” Ya know, I had lung failure – in 5 minutes I would be dead if I could not breath or get someplace to call 911 or to my car where my medical equipment is and medication that I do not carry with me when I am not in my car or at home! So that sign means nothing. I can’t work and would LOVE to – taking 30 days from someone who can is an interesting concept, but would also take from the persons family. Yet, there is work release! In any case if more and more people were fined, detained, or had to put them selves in someone elses shoes for a repeated amount of time at random times, all in all could do something to educate the general public.
I think that people park in handicapped parking spots because they can…they know that 99.999% of the time there will be no consequences.
I would much rather see the cars towed away. Let the driver figure out how to get to the towing company and pay their fees. It is immediate punishment and is bound to make an impact.
There seems to be a ton of folks out there watching out for us handicapped. I am always seeing them look at my tags to see if it has the emblem and then back at me. It kinda bugs me because they seem curious and judgemental. But yeah, I think a public apology would be effective in deterring the ignorant behavior of those parking for their convenience and selfishness.
I like the one that said: “I think they should serve community service and help a handicapped individual for that service. Then they would truly get a better perspective on why disabled people need parking so close” I SUPPORT THAT SUGGESTION 200%. I think that huge monetary fines and jail are not the answer, and do not truly educate like this suggestion would.
I think public humiliation is an excellent alternative punishment, but shouldn’t be the most widely used. Some people just really don’t care. It wouldn’t be so bad if there weren’t so many people using hangers that don’t belong to them. Not that you can always tell. I often receive dirty looks and comments because I don’t “look” disabled. Even though I have an actual tag and not a hanger, people who don’t know are often quick to judge. The police need to begin checking that the car using a hanger actually contains a person with an MVA disability card with them that shows who the tag is for. If they would begin to enforce the law against those who are cheating, it might help others to feel the spaces are being used correctly. I would be happy to show any officer my disability card to prove the tags are mine. Of course, they are probably afraid of offending someone and getting in trouble. It shouldn’t be that way. Police should be required to check when there is any doubt whatsoever. It is a very difficult issue.
Ignorance is not a Handicap!
I feel this person should be able to say that they are sorry to that person that they took the andicap space. I think it isnt right for a person that isnt andicapped at all to use that space. And it is really no ones business to think someone really shouldnt park there when they really cant see that they arent handicap. Some people cant afford such a high fine or even go to jail for that, there are alot of crimes cummited out there and people dont receive such a high penality for it, and they go to jail for less time but they should have gotten more. I feel that the laws for things should be harder, if you did such a bad crime you should pay and do the time for it. Think of the familes and what they go thru.
Thank you,
Maryann in Florence, Kentucky
Anyone who abuses the use of Handicap parking permit should pay the price. Seeing how may people do not use them that could but can not because healthy people are faking and use it because they are lazy should have public service and humbled. Public flogging is in order for this group!!
i only think she should get the self- pity of wearing a sign that says ” sorry im not handicapped.” lol
Most people who park illegally have no shame about doing so. They know they don’t belong in the handicapped parking spot, yet they park anyway. The attitude seems to be “If I can get away with it, who cares about you?” Both my husband and son are handicapped. My husband is crippled with multiple joint replacements and severe Rhumatoid Arthritis, and my son was born with Cerebral Palsey. I think it is appalling that an able bodied person would even THINK of depriving a TRULY disabled person of their “rightful” and much needed place to park. But they do…so I say “throw the book at ‘em”. I think they should be made to live a few days like a handicapped person. Make them face the same obstacles for a few days. Maybe they would be thankful for their good fortune, and a little more compassionate toward those who have disabilities.
I have a Handicap permit and was disabbled four years ago during a surgery. You can’t see my pain that I suffer each and everyday on the outside so people judge me and tell me I’m not in pain anymore it’s impossible. I have nerve pain and it is terrible what do they know. I get looks from people when I park in the HC spots and when I’m on my mobility scooter @ Disney World they look at me in discust and I’d like to tell them walk a day in my shoes. I’ve had people make comments to me about the scooter they are just as STUPID AS THEY SOUND I try to ignore them but it still hurts. I agree with the sign worn by the guy hopefully he won’t ever do it again. Have a good day
I would have charged him what he COULD afford as well as the sign. Make him crunch his budget so he feels it. If I got that punishment, I’d be smiling and waving and having fun with it.
I have a designated parking spot in front of my home because both my husband and I are both disabled. We have neighbors and others who feel they can park there. I have to pay to have the spot,too. I have known for fact that people use someone else’s handicap placard to park in these parking spaces.