Making Space

Author: Sheri Denkensohn-Trott

Lately I have been running across a variety of blockades. Curb cuts, parking spots, sidewalks, all blocked by different forms of transportation and objects. I’d like to think it is not intentional, but unfortunately it represents a lack of knowledge about individuals with disabilities, laziness, and a general lack of interest in the surroundings.

The most egregious is parking spots. In many cases, it is parking in a disabled parking spot by someone who does not have a hanging tag indicating disability or a disabled license plate. The excuse, “It will only take a minute so I will just use this space because it is closer,” doesn’t make this conduct okay in the least bit. Because right at that moment, I may drive up in my van to park. Second is parking on the hashmarks next to a handicapped parking spot. This happened to me recently at a medical appointment. The vehicle did have a hanging handicapped parking tag, but it was parked on the hashmarks instead of in the parking spot. Therefore, when I pulled in, I was unable to get out of the van because my ramp opens on the side.

Next are stores where for some reason individuals won’t or don’t take the time to bring their shopping cart back to the entrance. Right there, in the middle of the spot where I need to pull in, is a grocery cart. My attendant must stop the van, move the cart, and then we can park. Yes, I do utter some choice words.

Most recently I have encountered curb cuts blocked by scooters. I live in a community that is very accessible and the curb cuts are numerous. But, with the advent of scooters, it seems to be a habitual practice for individuals to get off the scooter, leave it in the middle of the curb cut and go off to their destination. Or individuals park the scooter near the curb cut and a brisk wind blows the scooter over and it completely blocks the curb cut. This makes it impossible for me to navigate and cross the street.

These actions interfere with my daily living. I cannot navigate independently and swiftly when others don’t follow the rules or are not cognizant of how their actions may impact individuals like me. Please, help those of us who are fighting for accessibility every day. If you see someone park a scooter in the middle of the curb cut, say something. If you see a vehicle illegally parked in a handicapped parking spot, call the nonemergency police number. They are authorized to ticket.