My daughter is disabled and her twin brother is not but he needs to be dropped off at preschool first (different schools). Its a small private school and there is only 1 handicap parking space in the lot. I am having an issue with people without placards parking there or in the paint lined space next to it to drop off their kids which leaves me to struggle to get my daughter out of the car with very little room. I asked the school to put a note on the memo board about it but 2 weeks later there is no note and it is still happening. It is different people/cars each time so putting notes on cars would be difficult. Does the school have a legal responsibility to enforce the laws within their parking lot? If I have to I will call the police to enforce it but would rather try to be diplomatic about it first. Thanks!
Anonymous2008-02-01T12:24:09Z
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First discuss it with the school again. And let them know that if the problem is not resolved you are going to discuss it with the police.
When you discuss it with the police be specific about the time you drop your son off. And then be sure you keep to that schedule.
You can also start photographing the cars that are illegally parked (be sure the license plate is visible and it is best to also hold up a copy of the days newspaper). Give copies of the photographs to the police.
The police will take care of it. Make an appointment with the head of the school so that you don't have to be rushed. Bring along a letter explaining the problem and what you want done about it. Explain verbally what the trouble is and ask that something be done about it, and hand over the letter. If you are paying tuition, you might want to mention that if nothing is done, you are going to feel as if you are unwelcome at the school and as if your needs as the parent of a disabled child are being ignored in favor of not ruffling the feathers of people who are breaking the law (not to mention are ill-mannered, selfish, etc.) and that you will have to look at moving your child elsewhere. Other thoughts: In all likelihood, most people parking in the spot or in the hash marks are probably basically decent people thinking that "nobody here is handicapped" and that it won't matter for just a minute or two. (A lot of people have no idea what the hash marks alongside the space are for and park there or leave grocery carts in it, or whatever, but when they find out they're for loading and unloading wheelchairs, they'll do better.) Write a heartfelt note about your need to take your handicapped daughter out of the car in the mornings with a request that the person not use the space for pick-up and drop off without the proper placard or plates. Photocopy a bunch of copies, and any time someone is parked there illegally, slide a copy under their windshield wiper. If they are decent people, threats are unnecessary, a word to the wise should suffice. Eventually, everyone who does this will have received a copy and anyone who continues to do this can get a ticket and it'll be what they deserve.
You need to bring this to the attention of the principal. In person. Phoning or writing a letter is just wasting time.
Go, in person, to the police station and inform them of the situation. If they do not send somebody out during the drop off time call them before you leave home, so they can be at the school by the time you get there.
If all else fails, do not hesitate to park where you can comfortably take your daughter out of your car. If somebody complains, just point them to the occupied disabled parking space and proceed. You are being inconvenienced and should not be. Pretty soon the parents will get fed up with your disruptions and bring it to the school's attention (which you want) or stop using the space.
...be diplomatic first? Why? The ones that park in the handicap space could care less about being considerate of those who need the space. Why should you care about them. Call the police if: 1) The space is posted with a traditional sign, and 2) The space is clearly marked with appropriate pavement markings. While property owners are generally not required to enforce the law, they are possibly liable to varying degrees for incidents that occur on their property. Remind them of that in a letter, and send a copy to the media. Start fighting for the rights of your daughter now. Been there, done this. It works.
Here's a thought--is there a volunteer group that enforces handicapped parking? If so, might be able to get someone to come out for about a week and write the citations (there are cities where they have volunteers, usually disabled themselves) who will do the citations for violations of disabled spaces. Even if you get a softie who only gives warnings for about a week there should be a good drop in this. Yes, they're only there for a couple of minutes and that's what you need to drop off a disabled child, so it's not first-come first-served it's needs-based.