Hey, You Took My Spot

We all know that local communities are continuing to feel the fiscal crunch caused by the dealings of high rollers on Wall Street and the crash they caused in 2007. Communities have had to cut back on services and raise fees to cover shortfalls, and for a majority of communities, this bight will continue into the next fiscal year. States Continue to Feel Recession’s Impact — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities States Continue to Feel Recession’s Impact — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Groups who have been disproportionately affected by cuts are those living with a serious illness or disability. The majority of families who have a disabled child or adults who have an illness or physical condition limiting daily activity are not wealthy. Budget cuts have reduced community-based services for this group of people and their families. At least one community has decided that people requiring a disabled parking spot on city property, even if just outside their home, should be charged a fee. The argument seems to be that those parking spots have to be maintained and larger than all other parking spots, so those that use them should have to pay for them. No other people parking their cars will be charged. See the Steins’ story from Passaic http://www.northjersey.com/news/Disabled_boys_mom_urges_feds_to_abolish_Passaics_new_ordinance_on_handicapped_parking_fees.html Some people hold the view that this charge is deserved, after all, those parking spots are different from all others and have to be marked and supposedly monitored to prevent misuse by the non-disabled. You may be saying to yourself that this is a good point, but is it? Stop and think about why there are disabled parking spots. There are disabled parking spots because a matter of inches can mean the difference between someone getting where they need to go, and being turned away. Years ago when people determined the size of parking spots, they didn’t think about everyone, and instead put a standard in place that not everyone could use. Federal law requires disabled parking in order to protect those who need them from the indifference of others. From what I have observed, these communities would be better off raising the fines on people who misuse disabled parking, and hold them accountable for this abuse by not allowing them to renew car registration, driver’s license, or other state licenses for their business, professional, or personal needs until they’ve paid the fine for the parking violation.