CALL TO ACTIVISM – Many people with disabilities to be excluded from accessible parking under proposed scheme

For an examination of the details, see her post: the main point is that there is a significant population of legitimately disabled people who don’t fulfil the suggested major criterion of “walking without physical assistance from another person” (sticks/canes will no longer count, apparently).

Who does this exclude? Everyone who walks, with or without a cane, and who does not require the physical assistance of another person.

Every single independent person with an invisible disability.

What, it doesn’t matter how restricted their independent walking distance is by an invisible medical condition?. Even for the visible disabilities, most amputees (including military veterans) and most stroke victims won’t qualify under the new rules.

As for the invisible disabilities?
Tough luck for the chronic asthmatics and the emphysematous.
Tough luck for most people undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
Tough luck for many people with Multiple Sclerosis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

These rules will disable me, and many thousands of Australians like me.

These rules will create physical dependence.

Way to go, Disability Office. “Improving the lives of Australians” by making them more dependent and limiting their opportunities to participate in community life? No thanks.

If anyone can help with drawing up a form letter, please do – but meanwhile, you can print out the feedback form and fill it in, describing these concerns with the eligibility criteria. Give them your feedback. Right now. Please. If you have the time and spoons, please attend a public information session (RSVP required) and give your feedback.

Independent people with invisible disabilities need to be able to remain independent. We need to fix this.