Think about it.
A concert maybe. Like the Rolling Stones?! A hockey game. The Super Bowl?? Probably not. Even the biggest events provide parking for patrons...as long as you can walk long distances. But what if you can't? Ever thought about what that would be like?
The past 2 weekends I've been fortunate enough to go to some really awesome places where a lot of people were gathered together for the sole purpose of having fun!
The first was the Warrior Dash in North Georgia...technically it was the "greater Atlanta" area, but the actual event was held in the remotest part of the United States I have seen in awhile, known as "North Georgia." I remember mud, dirt roads, trees and red clay... Interesting place to visit and some memorable locals to tell you about for sure....Hmmmmmmmm.
I could 'camp' here awhile (no pun intended-I do not camp!) but then I'd forget my purpose for writing this article. You see, I'm not really what you'd call a country girl...
Anyway, the next event was held in West Palm Beach at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Ahhhh, home. (Well, close enough)
This, I thought, would be different. It was the site of the Barrett Jackson collectible car auction. I've been watching my favorite muscle cars, woodies from California and T-birds roll across the auction floor for years... and always wanted to attend one. It was sort of on my 'bucket list.' I finally had my chance.
It didn't disappoint.
The atmosphere is like a party where everyone gathers to fawn over one of America's biggest obsessions--the automobile. I loved every minute of it!
The thing is, greater West Palm is not the country! I'm sure you can imagine. It's a metropolitan area that is, for all intents and purposes, part of the even greater Miami metropolitan area!
Big, right?
City-like, except with beautiful blue skies, turquoise oceans, sea gulls, pelicans, tourists, white-sand beaches and palm trees. Progressive, too. Not all back woods like...you-know-where.
So here I am...with thousands of people attending these 2 events with people from surrounding cities and states.
But you want to know something?
There was NO place for me to park at EITHER event. NO ADA parking set aside AT ALL for the Warrior Dash.
None. Nada. Zip.
And very limited ADA parking at the Barrett Jackson Auction at the South Florida Fairgrounds, for goodness sake!
Unbelievably, Barrett Jackson had given away a bunch of the parking lot to Dodge for a special tailgate party they were having...including a lot of blue tag specials. Too bad I wasn't invited. I love a good party and I could've given a little presentation about ADA laws...
Instead, I got antsy.
'How many parking cheaters do we have here today?' I wondered. I got more and more frustrated. (This tends to happen when I'm trying to park and there are no blue spaces left!) It doesn't matter where I go there are drivers using our parking spaces. Drivers who are able-bodied and who don't really need them. They don't have equipment. They aren't loading or unloading anything! In fact, many of them are running in and out of the buildings they're visiting.
'Alright, Ann. Remain calm.'
Here I am. 2 really cool events. Worlds apart...with the same problem. Why is this still happening? It's 2015!
What is ADA parking anyway? Ever heard of the Americans with Disabilities Act? It's a very comprehensive law passed in 1990!!
1990!
Among other things, that law is supposed to ensure that there is plenty of parking for rollers. People like me, who use equipment. Unfortunately, not every event or business is in compliance with this
law.
'But I had a wheelchair and I HAD to have an ADA space!
'Excuse me officer, but could you help me with a parking space for a wheelchair user?' (That would be me) There doesn't seem to be any left.'
I was wasting my breath.
I actually thought that explaining the situation and also pleading with the police and parking lot attendants would help me prevail! I was dead wrong.
They aggressively waved me on and shouted for me to "keep moving!"
Every time.
At both events!
Whaaatt??
Listen, I had a great time both days, don't get me wrong, but it's surely not too much to ask for a place to park my van so I can get my chair out, is it?
We can do better than this. We have to.
People with equipment are the number one growing segment of society! Not just in the United States either--In the world!
I'm not picking on Barrett Jackson OR Warrior Dash. OR the venues, necessarily...OR even the Rabun County Sheriffs, in North Georgia, or the Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies, in South Florida.
It is worth a mention here that both police departments were completely unhelpful and overwhelmingly disinterested, however.
Look, I know lobbyists and politicians say they have our backs, but I think there's something else to consider. Like, maybe it's about the bigger picture.
Awareness.
Everyone has a part to play.
Even you.
Maybe you're one of those who think there are too many "handicapped" parking spaces. Think again. Or maybe you're a parking cheater and you have a blue tag even though you don't really need one. OR you borrow your grandmother's tag because you hate walking very far to get your groceries...
I hope not, but if so...
Shame on you. Don't break the law so you can get one over on the wheelchair users! Use your heads and your hearts. After all, you or someone you love could be one of us one day...
Peace my friends xx
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