As a young adult, I remember listening to Earl Pitts every morning on my way to work as he ranted about what was ticking him off that day. It was funny and sometimes offensive, and I laughed at something he said daily. This week, watch out! I’m about to go Earl up in here!
Do you know what makes me sick? Do you know what makes me so angry that I want to hit the gas on my sexy gray minivan and ram it into the back of the little black Nissan next to me? Do you know what makes me so mad there is exhaust coming out of my ears? It is a lack of respect and courtesy to leave the ADA spaces for people that need them and the morons that park in the stripes between ADA spaces. I cannot understand the entitlement of some individuals. This is a serious problem. I am not one to rant and rave, but I am frustrated. In the past two weeks, I have personally witnessed three incidents of blatant disregard for the ADA spaces, and the cross-hatches. I am just one person in one van. I presume the problem is an epidemic and one that needs to be addressed.
I am adamant that there is not enough awareness about ADA parking and the needs of the disabled community that make these spots crucial. If people knew better, maybe they would be like Oprah, and do better. Earlier this year, I recorded an episode of Pain Points for The Disorder Channel called Don’t Block the Lines. In the episode, Daniel DeFabio and I take a comic approach to this serious matter. My guess is that about 100 people have seen it. We need to change that to 100 million people. Is there a way we can get this message seen by the masses? Maybe Paramount, Netflix, Amazon, and other streaming services can stream Pain Points as a Public Service Announcement? It could be used as a PSA between each episode of Yellowstone, Jack Ryan, or whatever binge-worthy show is blowing up each week. In order to continue the binge, you must watch the PSA.
When I was with the family in Las Vegas, we went to The Wynn to see the water show they offer each evening. As we drove through the parking structure, we noted there were very few ADA spaces. Maybe casinos are not required to have more than 2 spaces on each level. I have no idea, but there were zero available. In addition, a black Kia was parked in the striped cross-hatches between two other vehicles. The vehicle did not have an ADA placard displayed or ADA license plates. The person just decided they could park wherever they wanted without concern for the cars on either side. Fortunately, Justin was with us, and he was able to lift Emily in and out of the vehicle without the lift seat being deployed. (His gym membership pays off.) If my son was not with us, we would not have been able to visit the hotel and would have left without seeing the water show. Justin and I snapped a photo and reported the vehicle to security. When we left two hours later, the car was still there. I guess security didn’t seem to think it was an issue.
Yesterday, I was on a mission to find Emily her favorite snack (Nutter Butter Cookie Bites). Word on the street is that Dollar Tree had some. I drove to the store, and as I was parking, the car next to me pulled through the ADA spot. The driver did not park in the ADA spot completely, but she did block half the space. I did not have Emily with me and was in a regular parking spot. I gave the lady my what the heck are you thinking look. She got out of her vehicle, looked at how she was parked, and then she walked away. She was satisfied and thought my look and eye roll was an overreaction. I threw my hands up.
There are times I have left the mall because I couldn’t find a place to park that had the access needed to get Emily out of the vehicle. I cannot just drop her off in front of the store, mall, stadium, or restaurant while I go find a place to park. This is not an option unless I have another adult with me that can stay with Emily. These are real issues when traveling with a person that depends on a wheelchair and is also intellectually disabled. The misuse of ADA parking is not a victimless crime. It is impacting others, even if you can’t see that it is.
I would be grateful, if you could share this message with others. Take a moment to clear a shopping cart from the ADA spaces if you see one (or 10 there). Be considerate of the ADA parking and make others in your circle aware. Awareness is where change starts. We do not know what we do not know (and some people just don’t care). I will continue to advocate, educate, and promote ADA awareness. Let us all work together to create a community of respect and simple kindness for the disabled by reserving the ADA parking for them and making accessibility…accessible.
Conversation for Change 