Handicap Parking - OT

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Fund this online not sure it helps it old


What is the name of your state? Missouri

My son just got a ticket in the parking lot of a private school. He parked in the hash marks next to a disabled spot thinking he was avoiding the disabled spot and just parking in a spot that wasn't a spot. It is a big fine and of course we are aggravated that the police were even in the parking lot of the school at 9:30 PM. After checking the ordinance, it appears that police can enter "private property open for public use" to enforce the disabled parking laws.

Not that it makes any difference, but this campus is really not even being used at this time except for a few special events like the student only, extra curricular activtity my son was involved in this evening. The lot is striped with excessive disabled spots based on previous usage of the campus from many years ago. It has been relatively vacant for years and will be renovated soon. Anyway, I suppose I am just trying to make the point that this particular instance of enforcement serves no public good and is meant to enrich the obnoxious wealthy municipality in which this campus is located.

All that said, my real question pertains to the definition of "private property open for public use". I can't find a definition using google or yahoo. By the way, this is a private school campus, not open to the public for any purpose at this time.

Thanks for your help.

THANK YOU very much for this information. It is very helpful. Different state but it confirms for me that the police can come on site.

For the spots, yes there is only 3. Once teacher has a placard and uses it daily. The other two spots are usually taken by non-placard vehicles. There definitely are a few parents who have the placards and need. On special nights there are way more with grandparents coming to see their grandchildren. Even I would give up a spot I am allowed to use for them. I would just have someone drop me at the door and pick me up. But that is on special nights. Also I have noticed there are alum that would need those spots, but like I said you only see them on special nights.

 

[disney david]

THANK YOU very much for this information. It is very helpful. Different state but it confirms for me that the police can come on site.

For the spots, yes there is only 3. Once teacher has a placard and uses it daily. The other two spots are usually taken by non-placard vehicles. There definitely are a few parents who have the placards and need. On special nights there are way more with grandparents coming to see their grandchildren. Even I would give up a spot I am allowed to use for them. I would just have someone drop me at the door and pick me up. But that is on special nights. Also I have noticed there are alum that would need those spots, but like I said you only see them on special nights.

It also sounds like they don't have enough spots so maybe they should look into that also beside not enforcing the spots. It would be in the best interest for the school to have the police come on and give tickets. Because then their not the bad guys so if parents complain they can say sorry are hands are tired they have to enforce the spots per law. I hope they will listen to you and put changes into effect may be they need to put up another sign saying please don't park in these spots unless you have a placard because of limited handicap parking Or something like that.

 

[disney david]

Here some info if you need that could help in the meeting and maybe the school dose not have enough spots


http://www.ehow.com/about_4617229_rules-handicap-parking-spaces.html

Number of Spaces Laws
The law in the Americans with Disabilities Act dictates that one out of 25 parking spaces should be designated for handicapped use, and one of every eight handicapped spaces should be van accessible. Parking lots that have between 26 and 50 spaces should have at least one car and one van handicapped accessible spaces. Parking lots with between 51 and 75 spaces should allow for two handicapped cars and one van. This ensures that there are enough handicap accessible parking spaces for those who need them.



Read more: Laws Regarding Handicap Parking Spaces at Restaurants | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6017682_laws-handicap-parking-spaces-restaurants.html#ixzz2FlQ2um9e

 

[Schmeck]

OP, if the spots were being used legally by other people with HC placards, what would your plan be? If the parking is limited, then having 3 HC spots is quite acceptable - is the school parking lot for 75 cars? You may need to come up with an alternative plan, as you can't count on having an accessible spot available, can you? Could someone drop you off and then go park?

If the cars are parked there illegally, then you have the right to have the problem addressed. It sounds like there may not be an easy solution though, as the school and police department seem reluctant to act on the issue. I hope the problem is resolved soon.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

OP, if the spots were being used legally by other people with HC placards, what would your plan be? If the parking is limited, then having 3 HC spots is quite acceptable - is the school parking lot for 75 cars? You may need to come up with an alternative plan, as you can't count on having an accessible spot available, can you? Could someone drop you off and then go park?

If the cars are parked there illegally, then you have the right to have the problem addressed. It sounds like there may not be an easy solution though, as the school and police department seem reluctant to act on the issue. I hope the problem is resolved soon.

If the spots are being used legally I have a few options. I can circle the parking lot until a spot close enough for me to handle is available. I would call the teacher or whomever I was to visit and make them aware I would be a little late.

If it is a special evening I try to make sure that another person with a license is with me. They can drop me off at the door and park and meet me. I am all for those who are in need to use those spots. My problem is that the spots are being used by those who just don't want to be inconvenienced which I find to be a problem. If the school were to enforce the parking spots there would be no problem.

I also do not expect to have a spot available each time I am at the school. Same as in the grocery store lot. It just gets old having to call each time I am there.

 

[oynk]

You might want to contact the Office of Civil Rights and see about filing a complaint. (You can also request that they not share your name).

The school is violating your civil rights as an individual with a disability by preventing your from being able to participate in your son's education.

I have always found the folks at OCR to be very helpful and responsive.

Good luck.

 

[Schmeck]

You might want to contact the Office of Civil Rights and see about filing a complaint. (You can also request that they not share your name).

The school is violating your civil rights as an individual with a disability by preventing your from being able to participate in your son's education.

I have always found the folks at OCR to be very helpful and responsive.

Good luck.

That's stretching it a bit far, isn't it? As I asked in my previous post, what would the OP's plan be if the spots were taken legally? There is no law in this country that guarantees someone a parking spot.

 

[seashoreCM]

Thanks for all the replies. I cancelled my meeting with the President of the school until I had all my ducks in a row.

I was "put on notice not to block anyone" during the call today trying to get just one car moved so I could go see my son's teacher. Needless to say I never made it in the door.

I wrote a nice letter to the teacher and hope that the missed meeting can be rescheduled. I spoke with my son and I will take this to the next step. If that means speaking with the President I will. I am going to also going to contact someone who can help..

The problem is that some establishments have handicapped parking spaces only because they are required to by law.

Other establishments (and they get complaints about that too) have more handicapped spaces than needed because scofflaws take the spaces too often.

Your letter should have asked to have the meeting rescheduled, not hoped to have the meeting rescheduled. It is okay (anywhere, anytime, any place) to resend a letter if you don't get any reply. It may be the same as the original, even with the original date.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

The problem is that some establishments have handicapped parking spaces only because they are required to by law.

Other establishments (and they get complaints about that too) have more handicapped spaces than needed because scofflaws take the spaces too often.

Your letter should have asked to have the meeting rescheduled, not hoped to have the meeting rescheduled. It is okay (anywhere, anytime, any place) to resend a letter if you don't get any reply. It may be the same as the original, even with the original date.

Hi, as per the bolded I will do this but can you elaborate a bit more. I don't know if I just have fog-brain and something but I don't understand why? I can do it just would like to know why this is important.

 

[oynk]

That's stretching it a bit far, isn't it? As I asked in my previous post, what would the OP's plan be if the spots were taken legally? There is no law in this country that guarantees someone a parking spot.

No, but people with disabilities are guaranteed access. OP had to cancel a meeting with a teacher because she was unable to get into the building. The school may need to make more of an effort to see that spots are used legally. They may need to designate more spots. The teacher could come out to the car and meet with her. Heck, the could send a group of 5 teachers and a llama to transport her from a distant spot. What they can't do is have a set-up where she is routinely unable to get into the school building.