Disabled Unite!

The following letter to the editor by me, Brian Leekley, appeared on page 4A of the Marquette, Michigan, The Mining Journal, on Friday, August 5, 2005, under the heading, "Disabled unite!"

     I agree with Trembath's letter of July 1. She advocates knowing and obeying handicapped parking laws and gives examples of abuse of, and misunderstanding of, those laws and advocates steep fines, correct signage, and citizen patrols.
     When someone parks in a handicapped spot in a car with a handicapped sign or plate but does not appear to be disabled, do not hastily jump to the conclusion that an able-bodied person is cheating. Maybe, maybe not. The law rightly recognizes as disabled persons with certain medical conditions that are not apparent at a glance. So make polite,open-minded inquiries before making accusations.
     A handicapped parking space typically includes diagonal lines. It is unlawful to park on or obstruct the space defined by those lines. During the years I took care of my aphasic and hemiplegic mother, I often drove her to stores. I pivoted her on her good leg from wheelchair to passenger seat and back. This required a wide-open car door and lots of maneuvering space, which was provided by the diagonal lines. It was aggravating when they were obstructed. In one instance, I could not use a handicapped parking spot because someone thoughtless had left a dumpster on the diagonal lines.
     It is not only at parking places that some people are inconsiderate of the disabled. One time my mother and I were on a car excursion when she needed to use a toilet. I stopped at a gas station mini mart. It had a unisex, accessible bathroom. However, employees had stacked boxes in the aisle to the bathroom, making it impassable by wheelchair.
     Disabled persons, with their families, friends, and allies, need to organize, with the mission to strengthen rights of the disabled laws and regulations, to improve enforcement of them, and to educate the public about them. I wish I knew of such an organization in Marquette. Such an organization might develop Trembath's idea of citizen patrols. Approved stickers could be put on handicapped parking signs, giving an 800 number that would reach a volunteer who would contact police and a volunteer living in the vicinity of the infraction who would rush there and take photos for evidence. Fines are not enough. Rapid response is also needed.

         Brian Leekley
          Marquette, Michigan