The Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) is launching a new awareness campaign to address the persistent misuse of accessible parking spaces, reports RTE.
Using a video campaign, the organisation aims to show the real-life consequences that illegal parking can have on people with disabilities.
The campaign features disability activist James Casserly and his mother, Councillor Vicki Casserly of South Dublin County Council, reports RTE.
As part of its meeting in Galway this weekend, the DDAI is also spotlighting a text alert system currently in place in Gorey, Co Wexford, and in the Dublin areas of Lucan and Rathfarnham.
This system lets members of the public notify traffic wardens when someone is parked in an accessible bay without a permit or appears to be misusing one, reports RTE.
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According to a DDAI survey conducted last year, fear of verbal or physical abuse is the main reason people hesitate to confront those parking illegally in accessible spaces.
The association said it hopes local authorities nationwide will implement the text alert system.
Disability advocate Geraldine Lavelle stressed how illegal parking seriously disrupts the lives of people with disabilities, reports RTE.
“It’s incredibly frustrating to arrive somewhere and have to turn back because accessible bays are either taken up by illegal parkers or blocked to the point where I can’t use them,” she said.
She urged drivers to respect the designated spaces and not intrude upon them for any reason, reports RTE.
Ms Lavelle expressed her strong support for the expansion of the text alert system to all counties as a secure way to discourage misuse.
In addition, the DDAI is calling for an overhaul of what it describes as the outdated and flawed tax relief scheme for disabled drivers and passengers, reports RTE.
Headquartered in Co Mayo, the DDAI is a charity that supports the mobility and independence of disabled drivers and passengers through education, advocacy, and training.
It is also responsible for issuing the EU parking permit, commonly known as the blue badge, on behalf of the Department of Transport, reports RTE.
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