The Challenges with Disabled Parking

One of the most coveted but also controversial aspects of being disabled is the ability to park in disabled (or, as the larger public refers to them, "handicapped") parking spots. Here in my home state of California we have two factors impacting the availability for disabled people to park in disabled parking spots: 1) increased population density and 2) a generation of people who are merely aging (and thus acquiring disabling conditions, many times requiring the use of disabled parking). A third factor is an increased population of "invisible disabilities," a topic I will explore in this post.

ATTITUDES ABOUT DISABILITY

I got my driver's license as soon as I could. I took the driver's training course the minute I turned 16 and got my license as soon as my car was adapted. I couldn't wait to be able to drive and have that level of independence. I also had no hesitation about applying for and using a disabled parking placard (or "hang-tag").

Even though at that age, my evolutionary journey of disability identity had just begun, I have always had a pretty high sense of self-love. I say "love" and not "esteem" because, in truth, in those awkward teenage years, I had levels of insecurity as many teens do. But, down deep, I did, and still do, have a great sense of pride and acceptance of myself.

Additionally, I am very practical. Because of my disability, I have a hard time walking long distances. And with or without the use of a mobility device, being able to park closer to an establishment is better for my body, health, and safety. A hang-tag is just as much a tool for my independence as the car itself.

But I know not everyone feels the same way about being disabled and using disabled parking spots. The other day I was at my neurology clinic appointment, and a physical therapist I was meeting for the first time asked as part of her assessment if I needed a disabled parking permit.

"What?" I replied. With a tone of humor and jest, I asked, "What good self-respecting disabled person wouldn't want to have a disabled parking permit?"

"Oh, you'd be surprised," she replied. "I just had a patient the other day whose disability clearly qualified them for one, and they said they didn't need it. That explained they weren't 'disabled enough' to need one."

Oye. I get it. Like I said above, the disability identity journey can sometimes be a long and winding road for people. I have no judgment. It just still makes me kind of sad because I wish they embraced disability as much as I do. Not just for themselves, but what their self-acceptance means for our entire community as a whole. I know they don't realize it, but rejecting the use of a disabled parking permit is subtly reinforcing negative stereotypes about disabled people. A permit is just a tool for their independence and not a symbol of disability that should be stigmatized.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT DISABILITY PARKING ETIQUETTE

I'm sure this goes without saying, but because I've witnessed illegal parking by people who aren't disabled many times during my two-decades of driving, I must repeat: IF YOU ARE NOT DISABLED, PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN DISABLED PARKING SPOTS. (Sorry if the all caps is annoying, but I felt it necessary). Please note my specificity. I didn't say, "Don't park if you don't have a permit." (Although that too. You will get ticketed without showing a hang-tag or DP plates.) I said, "Don't park if you are not disabled."

And here's why: there are many family members or close friends of disabled persons who have died, or moved, or are no longer able to use their permit, who are continuing to use that person's permit for themselves. This has particularly been a problem in my home state of California. Until recently, every two years, without asking for a physician's note, the State would send my husband and I our new hang-tags in the mail. No forms. No questions. No nothing. That has led to a saturation of hang-tags being used by people who really do not need them. (Thankfully, having acknowledged this problem, California just passed legislation requiring recertification every six years.)

And then there are those people who park in disabled spots blatantly illegally, with the hope they won't get caught.

Recently, I confronted a man who, as I am getting out of my car, attempted to park his truck illegally in the spot next to mine. The exchange went like this:

Me: "Excuse me, sir, are you aware this is a disabled parking spot."

Him: "So"

Me: "So unless you are disabled, you can't park here."

Him: "What, are you the cops or something?"

Me: "Me, Ummm, no, but you still can't park here."

Him: "Look lady, you look like you have a hard enough life, so I'll move my truck."

Me: "Thank you."

And if you think I waited to make sure he really moved to another spot, YES, yes I did.

Obviously, he was being an assholish ableist. But the fact remains that the ability for disabled people to park in disabled parking is not a small or insignificant matter. Those spots are a main staple for us to be able to live our lives with full and equal participation in life and society. They should not be considered a mere indulgent convenience simply to get into an establishment more quickly. Because let me tell you, particularly with ramp vans that require extra space, finding a disabled parking spot these days is anything but quick. Having nowhere to park is a significant obstacle to our independence and equal access. And every single spot that the law provides us needs to remain available for legitimately disabled people.

DON'T ASSUME PEOPLE AREN’T DISABLED WHEN THEY ARE

This leads me to the final topic I want to address: people with invisible or "hidden" disabilities. As disability itself is becoming more socially accepted and the medical diagnosis of a wider variety of non-visible disabilities occur, more and more people who don't "look" disabled will be granted legal permits to park in disabled parking spots. There are many emotional, psychological, orthopedic, cardiovascular, and pulmonary conditions that might make it difficult for a person to park further away from an establishment, requiring the use of a parking permit.

I've had to remind myself of this fact. Just the other day, I was parking at Stanford Healthcare (where parking is always in short supply, disabled spots or not), and this woman in the car next to me seemingly effortlessly got out of her car, was rearranging things in her trunk, seeming to move around just fine. She walked to the elevator alongside me without an apparent struggle. I thought to myself, "hmm, I wonder if she is really disabled? I wonder if that is really her hang-tag?" But even as I had those thoughts, I knew I was wrong to do so. How do I know she doesn't have a chronic knee problem? Or a heart condition? Or something else?

The fact is, I don't know. And I don't need to know. I have to trust that the system is working and that she is being truthful in her need for the disabled parking spot. I must grant her the same acceptance for her right to equal access and independence as I seek for myself. I need to believe she isn't faking it, taking advantage and abusing the system by using a hang-tag that isn't hers. As we exchanged pleasantries in the elevator, I came to believe that she is someone who needs that parking spot, just as much as I need mine.

I will always advocate for continued vigilance in the struggle for disabled people to have equal access under the law, parking being just one area of focus. The challenges I have addressed are only those that have affected me personally. I am sure there are more that impact the greater disabled community as a whole. That is why we must remain diligent in confronting illegal parkers. I know I sure will. And I hope you will too.