times a week (40%) to every day (18.6%) when they made trips to the store, to a restaurant or to the doctor. Most of the time (according to 93% of the responses), this was because designated accessible parking spots were all filled. Third: Placard fraud and abuse is recognized as a prevalent problem in the world of accessible parking. Some perceive it as partly responsible for the accessible parking space shortage due to the “convenience” factor. Actions causing placard fraud and abuse may include: (1) someone without a disability parking in an accessible parking space fraudulently by using a vehicle displaying a specialty parking plate or disability parking placard belonging to a family member or friend; (2) illegally buying or selling disability placards (on Craig’s List or similar sites); and (3) illegally altering or manufacturing disability parking placards for use by persons without a disability. Conclusion After an extensive review of state and federal accessible parking laws and input from the public, the Committee finds opportunities exist to improve accessible parking laws, rules and policies affecting persons with disabilities. Suggested improvements will benefit not only current Texans with disabilities but those who may acquire them in the future. In our belief that continuing efforts must be made to ensure that persons with disabilities have the opportunity to enjoy full and equal access to lives of independence, productivity and the Committee offers 12 recommendations that we believe are practical solutions to accessible parking challenges in Texas.
times a week (40%) to every day (18.6%) when they made trips to the store, to a restaurant or to the doctor. Most of the time (according to 93% of the responses), this was because designated accessible parking spots were all filled. Third: Placard fraud and abuse is recognized as a prevalent problem in the world of accessible parking. Some perceive it as partly responsible for the accessible parking space shortage due to the “convenience” factor. Actions causing placard fraud and abuse may include: (1) someone without a disability parking in an accessible parking space fraudulently by using a vehicle displaying a specialty parking plate or disability parking placard belonging to a family member or friend; (2) illegally buying or selling disability placards (on Craig’s List or similar sites); and (3) illegally altering or manufacturing disability parking placards for use by persons without a disability. Conclusion After an extensive review of state and federal accessible parking laws and input from the public, the Committee finds opportunities exist to improve accessible parking laws, rules and policies affecting persons with disabilities. Suggested improvements will benefit not only current Texans with disabilities but those who may acquire them in the future. In our belief that continuing efforts must be made to ensure that persons with disabilities have the opportunity to enjoy full and equal access to lives of independence, productivity and the Committee offers 12 recommendations that we believe are practical solutions to accessible parking challenges in Texas.
GCPD_Report_85th_TxAccessibleParking__110116.docx