ACT widens disability parking criteria

FAMILIES and carers of ACT residents who need support with walking safely due to cognitive or behavioural needs are now eligible to apply for an Australian Disability Parking Permit.

The ACT government says the expanded criteria enable medical practitioners to support an application in circumstances where a person has cognitive, behavioural or neurological needs that prevent them walking safely without the continuous support of a family member, carer or support person.

Australian Disability Parking Permits, also known as Mobility Parking Permits, support people with a disability that affects their mobility, allowing them – or their driver – to park in dedicated accessible parking spaces.

Applications must be assessed and supported by a legally qualified medical practitioner or specialist eye doctor.

The ACT government manages about 1500 dedicated accessible parking spaces across Canberra, including on-street parking and parking spaces in government-managed carparks. Further accessible parking spaces are available in private carparks and in public car parks that are privately operated or operated by the National Capital Authority.

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Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

May 24, 2023

5 Responses to ACT widens disability parking criteria

Jeff says: 24 May 2023 at 4:31 pm

Apart from Wilson carparks

Tania says: 24 May 2023 at 4:46 pm

As the holder of a mobility permit for the last few years, I can tell you, the ACT Govt needs to 1) Police these spaces better, and 2) increase the number of available spaces. It is increasingly rare for me to be able to secure a space that allows me to walk into a shop or business. Any further away than 50m and I need to get my mobility scooter out, assemble it, and then navigate it through largely unobservant crowds of people. Then I need to do it all again to get back to my car and go home. This turns what should be a quick 15 minute door-to-door trip into a 30-60 minute (or more) expedition and leaves me utterly exhausted, bedridden and in extreme pain for the following 2 days at least. Usually because someone was in the space illegally

CZACT says: 25 May 2023 at 7:54 pm

Very sad to hear..
agreed that parking sites should be monitored regularly..

PC says: 25 May 2023 at 9:53 pm

Totally for expanding mobility permits for parking in Canberra – every bit helps. And, yes, I agree there needs to be more assistive parking spots and more monitoring of available parking. I’ve had able-bodied people (mostly male but some female) yell at me, threaten me, and, on one memorable occasion, throw their milkshake all over my car when I questioned them about parking in an assistive parking spot without a permit. As a person with a disability, I also struggle with the language society uses about us. The permt and the parking spots aren’t “disabled” they’re “assistive”. Having a disability is only one part of my life. I’m a person with a disability, not disabled – the “person” should ALWAYS and has always come first.

Janet Heap says: 24 May 2023 at 5:34 pm

Belconnen Mall definitely needs more Disability Parking spaces especially down the supermarket end of the Mall.
Inside the Mall needs more lifts. The escalators are designed for marketing as one needs to walk the length of the escalator to go up or down to the next level.
A Magager needs to spend a day in a wheelchair to understand the difficulties!

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