Handicapped parking abused

by Caleb Fort

Daily Lobo

Clare Stott, a student who uses a wheelchair, said although the handicapped parking situation has improved in the past few years, it is still not ideal.

"I think they've made a lot of improvement," Stott said. "Compared to around town, the campus is much better. UNM and Albuquerque, compared to the rest of the world, are really lagging behind."

The 320 handicapped parking spaces on campus are often full, especially around Dane Smith Hall, which forces students who need those spaces to park farther away, Stott said.

Gary Haug, interim director of Accessibility Services, agreed.

"I would say certainly that parking is one of the issues we hear about frequently from students," Haug said. "The biggest issue that people have is whether or not there's enough of it in areas where they need to be to get where they're trying to go."

Stott said one cause is frivolous use of handicapped parking placards. She urged people who use them to consider whether they need a handicapped space.

"I know it's convenient, but there's some people that really need those parking spots," Stott said.

She said she often sees people park a car in a handicapped parking space and then get out of their car and walk away.

It is necessary for Stott to have a handicapped parking space, because in order for her to move from her wheelchair to her car, she has to have extra room on the passenger side, which is not guaranteed in a regular parking space.

Anyone with a state-issued handicapped parking placard can park for free in any legal space at UNM. UNM also issues handicapped parking permits.

Associate professor Leslie Donovan, who also needs special parking spaces because she uses a wheelchair, said the problem with handicapped parking is the result of an overall shortage of parking spaces at UNM.

"The problem is that people who are not really eligible to use those spaces use them because they cannot get other spaces," Donovan said.

Donovan, who once spent an hour looking for a suitable parking space on campus, said if people did not exploit handicapped parking spaces, there would be enough parking for those with disabilities. She said too many people abuse the system.

"The actual wheelchair parking on campus would be suitable for those of us with real disabilities," Donovan said. "I would say probably half of the people who park in the lot that I park in are probably not eligible. I have talked to students who borrow their grandparent's placard."

Stott said UNM is not at fault for the problems.

"I do think that the parking people do as good a job as they possibly can, and I think it's beyond UNM to try to control it," Stott said. "If you have one of those blue things, you can park wherever you want."

Haug disagreed with Stott and Donovan, saying although some people probably use placards that do not belong to them, the possession of a handicapped parking placard is indication that someone needs a handicapped space. "Is abuse a potential problem? Certainly. Is the fact that a person walks away from a car a definitive sign that they are not entitled to a handicapped placard? No," he said. "If a placard has been issued, there is a presumption the person has met the requirements to use that placard."

Haug noted that health problems that are not apparent, such as heart conditions, could prevent people from walking long distances to class.

Students Haug talks to want more handicapped parking, but he said it is not necessarily a feasible option. UNM should instead focus on where and how the spaces are distributed, he said.

"Obviously our students would like to see more handicapped parking available on campus," Haug said. "As with so much else, the University has to balance the assignment of parking spaces with other needs on campus. The issue is distribution and placement."

UNM handicapped

parking regulations

* Handicapped parking permits are valid in any legal parking space on campus.

* The permits are valid for parking at any meter on the UNM campus at no charge.

* Use of handicapped parking permits is limited to the person the permit was issued to, or a person transporting the person the permit was issued to.

* Handicapped parking permits are not valid in patient-parking spaces unless accompanied by a patient-parking permit.

* Handicapped parking permits are not valid for parking in a restricted zone, such as fire lanes, service vehicle spaces and reserved spaces.

* Parking in a handicapped space without a handicapped parking permit is punishable by a $100 fine.