April 04, 2011

Shock for disabled people: Tough new restricitions to hit disabled parking permit conditions

 
PEOPLE who rely on canes or crutches to walk will no longer qualify for disabled parking spaces under changes to the permit system.
 
A national system replaced the Queensland permit system on Thursday, meaning many of the 132,000 people who currently hold disabled parking permits will now have to re-apply.
 
At least 30,000 of those are not expected to meet the new criteria, which say anyone who does not require a "large mobility device'' such as a four-wheeled walker or a wheelchair, will no longer qualify under the new national system. 
 
"A large mobility device does not include splints, crutches, walking sticks or shopping trolleys,'' states the eligibility criteria. 
 
"People with intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive or sensory impairment alone do not meet the eligibility criteria.'' 
 
The information on the Transport and Main Roads website, also warns anyone who continues to use a Queensland disabled parking permit past their expiry date could be fined for doing so. 
 
The changes have outraged doctors who say they have seen patients with legitimate claims to disabled parking refused.
 
Brisbane GP Dr Thomas Lyons said he was phoned and interviewed about two of his patients, who were refused permits. 
 
"The patients had painful disabilities but did not require a large wheelie walker,'' said Dr Lyons.
 
"I was advised  they would be declined. This new process is a waste of my time when I have a waiting room full,'' he said.
 
A spokesman for Transport and Main Roads said the department had been writing to permit holders about the changes.
 
Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities Jan McLucas said that the Australian Disability Parking Scheme offered certainty for permit holders.
 
"Queensland's 100,000 red permit holders, who have reduced mobility, can still access their red disability parking permit parking concessions when they travel interstate,'' said Senator McLucas.
 
 
 
CONSUMER WATCH COMMENT: Queensland and other states should "go it alone" if the tough new Federal rules prevent people with genuine disabilities from receiving a disabled permit.  These changes were no doubt dreamed up by bureaucrats who are out-of-touch with reality.