We’ve seen it so many times. Vehicles parked in the area reserved for a PWD or person with disability. Then the car owner comes back, but you do not see him or anyone with him with any kind of disability. No one uses a cane, is in a wheelchair or any apparatus that helps with mobility. No one is being helped walking or in crutches. They just get on the vehicle and leave. Or some park their vehicles in front of ramps. When you ask the guards or security assigned to the area why they allowed a non-PWD to park, they are usually told they would not take long, even if they do. Some introduce themselves as government officials, even policemen. Some are even angry for being called out by the guards. What exactly are the rights of a PWD, if they cannot even enforce the parking space provided for them?
These are the complaints and stories I get. Parking places reserved for PWDs, but are being used by non-PWDs. The problem is the law is silent on the rights to accessibility for a PWD, particularly when it comes to parking spaces. Nevertheless, mall security should strictly enforce the parking spaces reserved for PWDs. They can always call the police if their security is threatened by those who insist on parking in these spaces.
Batasang Pambansa 344 was passed in 1982, but is not clear about parking spaces for PWDs. Efforts are underway to amend the law. This is probably the reason why there are those that do not care where they park. No penalty, no problem. Local governments should take the lead in passing ordinances that protect PWDs from abusive, entitled individuals. The fines must be heavy, in addition to jail time. And here is where social media can be useful. If you see a vehicle parked in a PWD spot, but then see that no one is physically disabled, call them out on social media for the authorities to take notice. Just like the child left inside a vehicle by its mother who supposedly just went out to eat. Unbelievable.
I do not understand why there are those who would deprive disabled persons of the parking spaces provided for them. These are people who believe the world revolves around them. Being disabled is hard enough, without someone depriving them of easy access to an elevator or escalator.