Accessible Parking Awareness Program Coming To Seward

Posted on: October 7, 2009 | sewardtrails | 3 Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:

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Imagine pulling into that “golden” parking spot that is right by the front of the store. There is a sign stating that this spot is reserved for a vehicle transporting a person with a disability who possesses a parking placard or specialized plate. You think, “Oh I am just grabbing some eggs and I will only be a minute.” You go in and see someone you haven’t seen in forever and begin to chat. A short time later your neighbor, who let us say uses a wheelchair for mobility, is circling the lot trying to find a safe and designated spot to be able to exit their vehicle. After 40 minutes you return to the parking lot as your neighbor pulls up. They stop and wait for you to move your car. How do you initially react? Are you angry, embarrassed, or remorseful? Unfortunately, too many of our friends and neighbors use these designated parking spots without thinking of the troubles caused for someone who MUST use them just to safely carry out daily activities most of us take for granted.

Hello my fellow Sewardites! I would like to inform you of an Accessible Parking Awareness Program to be re-vitalized locally through the combined efforts of The Independent Living Center, Seward Community Resource Team (SCRT) and Seward’s Police Department. The idea behind this program is not to offend anyone but to alleviate a very serious parking issue facing our neighbors with disabilities.

Beginning November 1st, trained volunteers will be carrying warnings that will be placed on vehicles that illegally use a designated parking spot. This program is designed to promote education and awareness. Here is how it will work. The first time you utilize a designated parking spot illegally, your vehicle will be “cited” with a warning. The warning will be placed on your vehicle (or given to you if you are present) and then a copy of the warning, goes to the Seward Police Dept. The department will keep it on file and if a second warning with the same vehicle information is logged with the police dept., then a ticket and fine of $125 will be issued to the vehicle’s owner as a first offense. If a third warning is issued to the same vehicle and logged with the police dept., then a ticket and fine of $250 will be issued to the vehicle’s owner as a second offense. It is important for the public to know that individuals who hold the permits or specialized plates are held accountable for their legal usage. If a vehicle displaying a permit or specialized plate uses a designated parking spot but the person with a disability is not present and does not exit the vehicle, the program works the same but the fines are increased. A first offense will cost you $250, and a second offense will cost you $500.

It seems to me that this is a situation most people would want to avoid and not really worth the moment of “convenience” you may give yourself. The Independent Living Center sincerely hopes that making the public aware of the reason for the designated parking spots and the fines for illegally using them will be enough to stop the violations from occurring. So my dear friends and neighbors, remember to think before you park because the other volunteers and I may be watching.

Regards,

Melissa Kompkoff
Independent Living Specialist
Independent Living Center
P O Box 3523
Seward AK 99664
907-224-8711

The Independent Living Center promotes choice, independence and quality of life for persons and families experiencing disabilities.

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