In this month’s conversation in Northern Connection
magazine, I wondered what is wrong with people who use handicapped parking
spaces when they’re not handicapped?
Well – whatever their problem – YOU CAN NOW REPORT THEM –
Cuz there’s an app for that!!“Parking Mobility (parkingmobility.com) is a new smartphone app that allows users to report parking violators. The app cues the user to take a set of photos of the vehicle in violation and it marks the date, time and location. The app then sends a report to local authorities, if the city has approved and adopted the practice of using the app. Normal citizens, through the use of the Parking Mobility application, are now empowered to help make a difference.
Let’s face it… Disabled parking is
needed by 20% of the population, and cities are responsible for ensuring that
these parking spots remain accessible and are not being abused. Parking
Mobility is the answer, empowering its citizens and their assisting local
government in addressing disabled parking abuse. After all, who is better to
spot a violator than those who depend on it daily?
To learn more about the Parking
Mobility app. please visit www.Parkingmobility.com.”
Won’t you join me?
As always, I am
VERY interested in your thoughts and opinions! Leave comments below, email me
at NorthCon@consolidated.net or send me a “Letter to the Editor”
at P.O Box 722 Wexford, PA 15090-0722 attn: Marianne Reid Anderson.
Hi Marianne,
ReplyDeleteI hope this didn't repeat itself.
I never use the handicap spots, but, when on chemo due to fatigue I had given it some thought. But, didn't due to what others would think. Please do not assume harshly, that everyone is just taking the spot without a reason. Sometimes due to surgery or chemo, or both, they may need to. To apply for the proof for during that time is not really sensible for most. As in time, they will not need it. Hopefully. Sometimes, you can't judge by what you are seeing for their may be reasons you can't see.
Hi Sue - Thank you so much for making me more aware - of course, I was thinking more of the strapping young man in the sports car that is obviously not in need and just wants to avoid the rain. Perhaps the government should make the application process easier or enable a temporary permit such as you suggest for people who, hopefully, will recover.
DeleteFrom a Reader: I am the designated driver for my handicapped husband, and i am sure people see me hopping out of my car while he is in the car or I dropped him off in front of a restaurant, sometimes he can walk, sometimes he can't.
ReplyDeleteI lost a dear friend to MS, in the early stages she was actually confronted by strangers asking 'what's wrong with you"
I think you were a little presumptious. But I hear you.
thank you for caring.
Dear Reader, Thank you for writing to me - I am surprised to read that people are actually so confrontational about it. Perhaps the solution would be to have the process be easier as I suggested in the previous comment or should include "Handicapped and Caregivers" as you mentioned in your note. What do you think?
DeleteFrom a Reader:
ReplyDelete"This letter is in reference to the article you wrote about in the May issue of Northern Connection about "People Who Steal Handicap Parking Spaces." I feel that you have made an unfair judgement about people parking "stealing" handicap parking spaces. Not all individuals have a physical handicap that one can see. There are various serious diseases that entitles someone to park in a handicap space. Some individuals have heart problems (a friend's heart only pumps at 90% and can't walk far distances), cancer, blood disorders, respiratory disease, etc. that may necessitate them to park in a closer parking spot. I do agree that there are some individuals that abuse the system, but glaring at someone and shouting back at them for using a handicap parking spot is not for us to judge.
Don't judge a person until you have walked a mile in their shoes.
Sincerely,
Anonymous
Dear Reader - It appears that from you letter that people who do not have a physical disability that requires assistance from cane, walker, wheelchair, scooter, etc. are having difficulty getting licenses and hang tags? Some of the other readers have also noted about the difficulty of the process. And you are right, people who need the spot should definitely use them. However, those that abuse the system and don't leave them for those that need them, such as yourself and your friend, just get my goat
Delete