THE PUBLIC MIND: THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES TO ACCOMODATE DISABLED POPULATION AT RATE IT IS GROWI8NG

Dear Editor:

This letter will probably cause a myriad of Speakout messages and/or letters in defense of the issue I am presenting regarding handicapped parking. The letter is prompted by recent complaints about persons parking in handicapped parking places that do not look handicapped. Under the laws of disability, you are eligible for a handicapped plate or placard to put in your windshield if you cannot travel unassisted more than 200 feet, or if your mobility is limited as a result of respiratory/heart problems. Therefore, there are many persons out there that are legally handicapped under the provisions of state laws but who do not look handicapped.

There are persons using just anything with a handicapped logo on it to obtain handicapped parking privileges, such as decals provided by universities, shopping centers, etc. These are not legal indicators. Anyone can obtain these, and they are not issued by doctors who have established the individual as meeting the handicapped criteria. Anyone using such identification should be ticketed by police because it is not the legal identification.

To obtain a blue "legal" handicapped auto hangtag placard, (which by the way is now becoming the legal identification throughout the United States~) one must first obtain a letter from his/her physician stating that he/she cannot travel unassisted more than 200 feet and or has a heart or lung problem. Then the person must go down to their license bureau and apply for the hangtag or plate. As of now, there is no charge, however, in the future there is talk of a $2 fee being assessed for these placards. All handicapped license plates and placards are renewed in September of each year.

I have noticed however, over the past few years a steady increase in the number of handicapped placards being issued to elderly citizens. But not just elderly citizens; some doctors are indiscriminately giving letters to people who have allergies or even phobias.

Handicapped parking spaces were originally intended to be wider than normal parking spaces to enable a person in a wheelchair ease of getting in and out of their vehicle. The ramp or lift comes out three to four feet and an additional three to four feet is necessary to get off the ramp or lift. Persons on crutches or in walkers need the extra room to maneuver themselves and getting situated on their walking aides.

Normally someone on crutches or in a walker can not go around the whole store shopping, so the 200 or less feet outside the store is of importance because of tiring. Someone in a wheelchair, it's obvious for the need in these wider spaces. Nobody disputes that when one reaches old age, physical impairments are more likely to occur, and nobody disputes the elderly their right to park closer, if they do in fact need it.

But I have seen elderly people with placards parking close, and then walking all over the mall as if there were nothing wrong with them. To have a heart problem or breathing problem usually precludes people from walking fast. But it does not usually preclude them from walking distances. The bottom line is, baby boomers are going to make up over half the population of elderly persons after the year 2000, which is going to mean more heart and lung problems, more mobility problems, etc. If there are only 72 handicapped parking spaces and 3,400 regular parking spaces at West Park Mall, will that be enough to accommodate all those vehicles with a handicapped placard in them?

Because if just becoming a senior citizen entitles them to handicapped parking spaces, then the country will have to reverse itself and limit the number of able bodied parking spaces on these same parking lots. Then anyone disabled caught parking in an able bodied parking space will be fined.

Now, does anybody get what I am driving at, pardon the pun? Either we need to have more handicapped parking spaces with normal width and additional special vehicle parking spaces for those needing the extra room because of a wheelchair or walker, or more people who don't really need the handicapped parking spaces and are mobile, should leave these spaces open. It is another good idea not to loan out handicapped placards to family or friends who might misuse the privilege. ~My own husband will not park in a handicapped parking space even if I am in the car, if I am not getting out. In some cases, he drops me off at the door and then parks in a regular parking spot.

So nobody gets hurt feelings over this letter, let us suffice it to say, there just are not enough handicapped parking spaces out there to accommodate the disabled population at the rate it is growing. If additional handicapped parking spaces made for wheelchair users only is not the answer, then one must give way to the conclusion that only wheelchair and crutch users should be allowed to park in handicapped parking spaces and preclude those that just walk slow, have allergies or phobias, etc.

The term "disabled" is a very generic term anymore since there are so many persons being classified under its heading. Thus, maybe now it is time for practicality to prevail and let our conscience be our guide as to whether our particular disability or circumstance REALLY warrants taking that handicapped parking space.

Respectfully,~~

Maryann "Miki" Gudermuth

SEMO Alliance for

Disability Independence, Inc.