Permit changes welcomed by legally blind
FOR Toowoomba resident John Gamble, not being able to park in disabled parking spots, even though he was legally blind, always felt like a form of discrimination.
“I was not being treated like a citizen, like those in the rest of the country,” he said.
While not technically allowed at the time, Mr Gamble did hold a disability parking permit a decade ago and said it made life easier.
“It was a lot safer as I was not having to walk as far, as I was able to park near the doors,” he said.
He said he originally had the permit as his doctor at the time had messy handwriting and Transport Department officials couldn’t make out what it said, but when he went to get the permit renewed it was rejected as his new doctor had neater handwriting.
“(The department) said I was no longer eligible, which was a great disappointment that I could no longer have a permit,” he said.
That all changed on Tuesday night when the Queensland parliament passed legislation that allowed people who are visually impaired to get a disability parking permit.
The new laws will also see some of the toughest fines introduced for drivers who illegally use disability parking spaces, increasing from $266 to $533.
Mr Gamble said it was amazing to know he’d be able to get a permit again.
“I get around a lot with carers, sometimes parents and friends,” he said.
“It will just be very convenient if I had a pass and could put it on my carer’s or friend’s car and we can park more suitably.
“I have a guide dog too, and the problem is you need to be able to open the door wider to get dog out without dinting another car, so this will help with that too.”
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the reforms were scheduled to come into effect on August 31, 2020.
“This is a commonsense change that will make life easier for thousands of Queenslanders,” he said.
“The existing parking scheme only provides parking concessions to people who are either unable to walk and always rely on a wheelchair, or who have a severe restriction to their ability to walk.
“Disability advocacy groups like Guide Dogs and Braille House and a significant grassroots movement told us of the unique challenges Queenslanders with vision loss faced, and we took action. This is their win.”
Guide Dogs Queensland CEO Michael Kightley said the organisation welcomed the move.
“These commonsense changes will have a huge effect on improving people’s confidence by providing access to the parking nearest building entrances,” Mr Knightley said.