Dear Mel
My local radio station did a similar survey at local car parks a few years
ago and got similar results and I must admit it annoys me when you see
people who appear to have no disability use these spaces. We have an
"orange" badge scheme in England where people apply for stickers to use
these areas if they are eligible but it is also amazing how many of people
use their relatives stickers!
Another point that was highlighted to me whilst on holiday in France last
week was how in France the suppermarkets / car parks do not have what we
call "mother and baby" spaces in England. These aren't necessarily closer to
the shops but are larger to assist parents getting children oout of cars
into pushchairs etc. Since I was with friends and their 4 month old twins
you can imagine it is pretty tricky trying to manoeuvre oneself, a twin
buggy and two babbies in the tight spaces usually allocated! Getting any
child in and out of a car appears to be a manual handling nightmare. (I
think I'll just not bother having any!!)
Alison
|