Disabled Parking Permits

The problem is that there is so much fraud with the disabled permits. I've seen television reporters questioning people about their permits, only to find out they were using someone else's permit.

Now, in some states and provinces, all a person needs to do is convince a doctor that they have a disability which will allow them to get a permit from the motor vehicle department. There are no checks and balances, and there is very little in the way of follow up years down the road. I know a person who got a permit for a sore knee. A few years later, it got bad enough for them to have the knee replaced. Did they give up the permit when they healed up? Heck no. It's nice to be able to park closer. In fact, he'd carry a cane in order to keep from getting bothered.

So if you don't have an obvious disability, you will get harrassed and yelled at. It's just a fact of life. Too many people are taking advantage of a system that was designed to help severly handicapped people live life a little easier. I don't have much sympathy for those catch some flack when they don't really have the special needs.

WOW! I agree there is abuse in the system on both sides of the fence.

What is the process to get the permit in your case?

Gale... In order to get a permit in Ontario your Dr has to fill out the medical format stating your condition and reasoning for the need. You also have a formal to fill out. You have to meet the requirements set by the ministry of transportation. You can see them on their website. Ontario ministry of transportation. Accessible parking permits.

You do not have to own a car or have a license as some think you do.

There are three types of permits... Permanent disability...blue permit, subject to change...orange and one for a short term, such as asprain, break etc. Mine is a permanent disability.

It is not that easy to get a permit. The Dr is putting his license on the line if he is not telling the truth. It may seem easy when you see someone without the obvious cast, chair etc.

The permits at one time were licensed to your vehicle but that did not work because it was easy for anyone to use it who had the car. Now it is in the holders name.

The fine was $300 last I heard..it may be more now.

TusconJim.... the thing is you do not know what special needs a person has so how can you judge them. What gives people the right to scream at me because they can't always see my disability? The person who had the knee replacement could still have issues that makes it hard for him to walk some days. What do you consider to be special needs? Just curious?

My point is, I guess my question is, why do people feel the need to judge others, especially when they have no facts. What do they get out of it?

We also have designated spots for expectant mothers and families with small children such as babies in portable car seats.

LouLou - There are many folks who truly need the permit. But I'm just saying there is enough abuse as to make it questionable when you can's see a physical reason for the permit. But unless I know for certain a person is not disabled, I'm not going to say a word. As for the person with the knee replacement. I questioned the need for it when I know he took a 20 mile backpacking trip.

There have been numerous discussions on this subject, and there will probably be more. I have had questioning looks, even with my obvious disability, and have seen obvious abuses of a handicapped tag. I have had people ask why we should even get "special" treatment. I know I'm not the only one who would much rather be able to walk or run through the rain from the farthest reaches of a parking lot like others can do. To the people that abuse the privilege I say "shame on you"

Not looking to argue here, just having a discussion on difference of opinions..;)

The fella again with the knee...LOL! Now I don't know the man obviously but I am one to always look at both sides.

We seldom know how much pain etc someone is in or can deal with. Before my injury/illness I questioned in my mind about a person on disability with a bad back but I would see him push a lawnmower, carry his grandchildren and yes help do his roof. I thought to myself what a fake. :R

It all changed for me one day. I now wear 150mcg of Fentanyl just to be able to function due to pain. (look up the strength of it compared to morphine). Sometimes if I do something more than basically get up and spend 15 minutes doing something I will be bed bound for a few days or in hospital.
I won't drag this out but one of my goals was to do a 10 mile hike in Europe at a special spot. I did it, practically crawled the last mile, LOL but I did it. Took lots of meds to do it and I paid.
People see me out on good days, seldom a bad. My condition can change hourly. When I can I hike, sometimes with canes. I always use a cart shopping, not for stuff but for me to lean on for support. This is why you may see me need a parking spot one day but not another, :h the days I push myself I think there is someone who needs that spot today more than me.
Through all the therapy and treatments I have had I was encouraged to push myself. I do. I was put on 100% disability through workers compensation and our government disability. I work in my garden, 15 minutes to a half hour, then in to lay down. I camp, canoe, hike but no longer can I lift a grandchild.
The point is to look at me when you would see me, anyone would think there is nothing wrong. However, if you were on "my side" of me you would definitely know things are drastically wrong. :(
I just find it hard to believe that people would try to fake an illness, but better yet to be able to convince a DR they had something wrong just to be able to save a few steps.
Since that day 25 years ago, I no longer judge the man with the bad back who is carrying his grandchildren. I say...good for him for trying.
As I said, not trying to argue with you, just giving another
opinion :)o

Being able to convince a doctor, I needed a permit would be easy here in Florida. Convincing myself it was OK for me to have one, would be impossible. To my thinking, disability permits should go to people with mobility issues that keep them from being able to lead a normal life. My father in law had a disable permit the last 20 years of his life but never drove a vehicle the last 15 years or so. Florida allows a person to renew their drivers license, by mail for three 6 year periods, 18 year total. There was no way he could have passed the drivers test after the initial one, due to his heart and eye cataracts. His wife, my mother in law kept renewing it on "his" behalf. Her rationale was that she was shopping for groceries, etc. of which her husband would eat part of them. No amount of talking to her, by the family, could change her mind, that her using his parking permit was wrong. She claimed all her friends did the same thing and I suspect she was mostly correct. She was so incredibly angry, after her husband died, and his former doctor wouldn't renew the disability permit for her. It was another 10 years before she qualified for a permit.

I feel we are starting to see the same type of abusing the system, with the use of service dogs, here in Florida, now that you can get a permit for "emotional support" needs. If it makes a person less anxious, riding on a plane, with their dog setting in their lap, then Fido becomes a service dog. or eating in a restaurant, or going to a theme park, etc.

What started out as a legitimate need for qualified people, is being abused by others. With medical care being so competitive here in Florida, and the advanced age of the population, such as me, half or more of the population could probably get a handicapped permit if they wanted one. And many do want a permit, for close in, easier parking. Using someone else's permit, seems to be one of the biggest problems here, that they haven't figured out how to address.

people following you and yelling are wrong. it is not their place to judge your disability. if someone thinks you are scamming, maybe a chat with the manager of the store would be appropriate. then the manager could question you reasonably IF THE person feels they need to take it that far.

people are nosy, pain in the butts that at some point must mind their own business. MANY disabilities are NOT noticable that could be claimed as full disability.

my friend has a stroke at 43. Then a few mini strokes after. she now only walks a bit off and her stride is a bit different. You wouldn't think she was permanently disabled unless you talked to her. she has trouble speaking well so if confronted, and UNLESS she speaks, you can't tell she is in a mess of medical troubles! If I was with her and someone came screaming in her face, I would probably deck them ! :) ;0

You don't need to tell anyone your business! I wish people would grow up literally. Sure there is abuse of permits (on all things in this life) but should a person attack a person when they don't know the real circumstances, just cause they know some abuse is out there on these permits. My answer is a huge NO!

loulou57 wrote:

It is illegal for anyone, a security person, parking attendant or even a police officer to ask me why I have a permit and demand an answer. ?

In the states, or state, you also have a billfold card that you might have to show showing person and disability involved if requested by a LEO. But to anybody asking me why, my first question to them is "are you an orthopedic surgeon? " unless their answer is yes, I am a tad bit rude to them. and MYOB is not it, more like GFY.
bumpy