I have read with interest a letter in your 16 September issue in which the writer thinks that $75 is too high a fine for parking in a designated parking space.
$75 is not a high price to discourage people who don’t need the convenience of nearby parking considering the numerous parking spaces provided.
The wheelchair logo is internationally known as a designate for disabled parking.
For the able bodied, what’s so terrible about having to park a little further from the front door of a store?
Furthermore, I look forward to the day those who block the sidewalks by parking there receive a stiff fine as it blocks free passage for a wheelchair or anyone needing assistance.
I applaud the Hon. Arden McLean on his stand regarding this issue and look forward to finding many more spaces to park my wheelchair conversion van when my husband and I (or our helper), take our 22-year-old handicapped son shopping.
Handicapped parking and accessibility into many locations has been my complaint for more than 15 years and I am thankful that we now have a Minister who cares enough to do something about it.
Yes my son has to use a wheelchair (he has Cerebral Palsy) and he has the right to have designated available parking. So does every disabled child/client that attends the Lighthouse School and the Sunrise Centre.
I also agree that persons with genuine handicaps who do not use a wheelchair but find walking challenging, and also the elderly, have the right to use the designated parking.
A doctor’s letter to the licensing department explaining and describing the individual’s handicap (or age) is one of the Disabled Parking Requirements. I know I have had one for nine years.
Many years ago, Ms Heather Bodden, former Bodden Town Representative, brought this issue to Government.
My son and I were included in her invited disabled guests. It took me 45 minutes to find a place to park to access a government building.
We had to sit downstairs inside the Government Chambers because there is no wheelchair access to the gallery.
I’ll never forget when Kurt Tibbetts came up to me and asked how in the world did we even get into the building? I told him two men and myself lifted the wheelchair up the steps of the Legislative Assembly building and I looked forward to the day that lack of handicap accessibility was a thing of the past.
His eyes filled with tears and he said ‘I promise you, as long as I serve, I will do my best to make life easier for all our disabled and elderly.’
When the Bill pertaining to accessibility for the disabled was presented by Ms Heather Bodden, every single elected Member agreed and said it should start with the Government Building.
My son loves to go out. He seems to know more people than I do and is a friend to all. However, he gets very frustrated when we can’t find a place to park or can’t enter somewhere because of no wheelchair access ramps or elevators.
Existing transitions from sidewalks are an issue that Public Works needs to remedy. Many times the wheels get stuck or the transition is uncomfortably steep and awkward.
Also, getting on to the sidewalk is one thing, but getting into some of the stores, with steps up, is still another.
I’m delighted that the Planning Department is working to facilitate wheelchair access. Enforcement is critical to succeed in eliminating this problem.
Although my son loves our island, he is thrilled when we visit the United States. He knows that he can easily access anywhere because it’s the law.
I eagerly look forward to the adaptation of the ADA (or similar) laws at home in the Cayman Islands. It will make accessibility more comfortable for all.
Mrs. Cathy Frazier
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