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GET OUT OF MY SPACE!

November 1, 2009

Misuse of disabled parking spaces

We are campaigning for disabled parking spaces to be kept only for people with disabilities. Disabled people can’t park in a normal space because of getting the wheelchair out of the car. Disabled spaces are important, as extra space is needed to open doors, put ramps out and if other people park there we can get out of the car.

Alex (14) says,

“Sometimes we go out and can’t find a disabled space to park because people have parked in them that shouldn’t. We have to find somewhere else to park, which is too far away and takes a long time to get to where we are going. It makes me annoyed”.

Disabled people cannot walk far or at all and need to be close to buildings like shops, hospitals, cinemas and schools.

“I think its unfair to deprive disabled people of their parking spaces, its just people being selfish and lazy” Sam – befriender.

Call to Tighten Legislation

We think there should be new Government legislation to tighten the rules about the use of disabled spaces. We suggest that spaces should have bollards fitted that can drop down when swiped with a chip, which could be fitted in the Disabled Blue Parking Badge.

Also the Government should give ‘on the spot’ fines for people caught parking in disabled spaces illegally.

If these things were in place, there would be plenty of disabled parking spaces available and we could park easier. It would allow disabled people to more easily go shopping, to the cinema, to the swimming pool, and live our lives to the full.

An article by Aiden Watson, Robin Cornwell, Alex Jordan, Alex Curtis from Acorns in Worcester.

Results

As a direct result of Acorns young people being involved in the HUV project and the success of their campaign exhibition at the HUV Launch Event the Chief Executive of Acorns has pledged to place an emphasis on youth involvement in the organisation and to further the work they are currently doing in raising awareness of the issues the young people who attend Acorns face in the local area.

Young People who attend Acorns are now included in job interview panels and a youth worker has now been employed to work in the Worcester hospice.

This Campaign has won The Turning Your Life Around Award in The Hearing Unheard Voices Campaign Awards. To find out what other campaign were shortlisted and won click here.