What are your feelings about people parking in handicap spots with a permit? (fit in, buses)

[icequeen2008]

What are your thoughts? I know it ticks me off when I see people park in those handicap spots without a sticker.

[icequeen2008]

Forgive me I'm tired. I meant to sa what are your thoughts about people who park in handicap parking without a sticker?

[santos]

I'm trying to mind my own business to some degree--pick my own battles--and this is one I leave alone.

Does it bother you if a non-handicapped person uses the handicapped bathroom stall?

[icequeen2008]

I have worked all my life with people with disabilities. It does bother me when the handicap spaces are used for people who do not have a permit. Why would this be a heated topic? Shouldnt be.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by icequeen2008

What are your thoughts? I know it ticks me off when I see people park in those handicap spots without a sticker.

Some people have a legitimate need for such spaces. I think they should be reserved for those who have that need. People who abuse such spaces should be fined. I wouldn't mind seeing their cars towed, personally.

[oconnorcm3]

Well, actually Santos, it does bother me when I see an able-bodied person walk out of a handicapped toilet, if my son and I have been waiting.

My 16-year old disabled son is toilet training (it's a longggg process) and, if we're in a public location and he needs to use the toilet, it has to be NOW. If we end up waiting outside the handicapped toilet, because someone opted to use it instead of the normal toilet, it can be a real problem. The two of us can no longer fit in to a regular toilet stall together so the only option is for us to use the disabled toilet, if there is one. If there isn't, I place him on the toilet and leave the door open, with me standing in the doorway, holding him on the toilet (he is not able to sit on his own). Believe me, when a 51-year old woman goes in to a toilet stall with a 16-year old boy, she gets stares (but no police action, yet!).

I didn't decide to have a mentally-disabled son but, now that I have one it would be nice if folks would respect the accomodations that we're given like toilets for the disabled and disabled parking, without making us have to be pushy about using them.

I've been working on having my son stand when he pees, meaning that we both might be able to fit in to a regular toilet stall, but my aim isn't very good!

Mari

[Luke55113]

It bothers me, but I would like to say that it also bothers me to see many people who have handicapped stickers that do not appear to need them. I know this sounds judgemental but I remember a news review on the abuses in the issue and ussage of handicapped parking decals. For example several people have obtained them for being as little as 30lbs overweight. I think it is almost as bad for a person without a sticker to use this service as it is for a person to obtain one who does not really need it. Also it ticks me off when I see the 16 year old son of a handicapped person use the tag for his own advantage.

[kuan]

And putting your flashers on while you take up a wheelchair accessable parking spot does not entitle you to use it either!

[Haakon]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Some people have a legitimate need for such spaces. I think they should be reserved for those who have that need. People who abuse such spaces should be fined. I wouldn't mind seeing their cars towed, personally.

Sounds reasonable. It's not like someone is going to "accidentally" park in a handicapped spot, if they choose to park there they should suffer the consequences. In WA the fine is $250 dollars, the problem is with enforcement, no agency ever seems to enforce the law.

[icequeen2008]

Originally Posted by oconnorcm3

Well, actually Santos, it does bother me when I see an able-bodied person walk out of a handicapped toilet, if my son and I have been waiting.

My 16-year old disabled son is toilet training (it's a longggg process) and, if we're in a public location and he needs to use the toilet, it has to be NOW. If we end up waiting outside the handicapped toilet, because someone opted to use it instead of the normal toilet, it can be a real problem. The two of us can no longer fit in to a regular toilet stall together so the only option is for us to use the disabled toilet, if there is one. If there isn't, I place him on the toilet and leave the door open, with me standing in the doorway, holding him on the toilet (he is not able to sit on his own). Believe me, when a 51-year old woman goes in to a toilet stall with a 16-year old boy, she gets stares (but no police action, yet!).

I didn't decide to have a mentally-disabled son but, now that I have one it would be nice if folks would respect the accomodations that we're given like toilets for the disabled and disabled parking, without making us have to be pushy about using them.

I've been working on having my son stand when he pees, meaning that we both might be able to fit in to a regular toilet stall, but my aim isn't very good!

Mari

God bless you. My heart goes out to you and your son. What a great post and from now on I will think of this post everytime I am in the bathroom. My son is disabled to and autistic. Thank God he can go on his own.