Handicapped parking

Time for some bitching about handicapped parking. I've had issues for years about the whole concept of handicapped parking. Yes, there are legitimate reasons to have handicapped parking, and there are people who should be able to park in handicapped parking spaces. Here is a bitch: In a supercenter like WalMart, why are there handicapped parking spaces? If you are handicapped, and as a result of that handicap are unable to walk from the back part of the parking lot to the store, what makes you think you are going to be able to walk around a 250,000 square feet supercenter?

I think it is way too easy to get a handicapped parking placard. I think it is way too easy to cheat and use somebody else's handicapped parking privilege. I think that if you have a handicapped parking placard issued to you, then it should be noted on your driver license or ID card, because I believe that if you are not evidently handicapped that it should be perfectly valid to confront you and ask you to see the ID permit (HIPAA freaks, rest easy. The ID would not state the nature of the handicap). What if you have a placard because of a family member you are caring for? Then that family member must have an ID card stating a placard has been issued to him/her. This would prevent people from taking advantage of the placard (ever seen an 18 year old kid park in the handicapped spot and run into a store after hanging the placard on the rear view mirror? My idea would solve the problem).

Some people who park in handicapped spaces actually have a strong sense of entitlement. They feel that they have a right to be able to park up front. How bad is that entitlement? We have a new WalMart Supercenter in the area, and some of the handicapped spaces were changed up so that you can essentially parallel park in them instead of traditional or angle parking, thus allowing wheelchair vans an open area to open the side doors and load/unload. The spaces even have the words "Van accessible" printed on the pavement. Go by there at any time of day, and you will see regular vehicles parked in them, because those who feel entitled are essentially saying, "Fuck everybody, I'm handicapped and I'm entitled, and I don't give a shit about the legitimately wheelchair bound handicapped people who need the room to get out of the van."

Actually, I don't think a business should be forced to accommodate handicapped people, to include tying up the choice parking spaces in the parking lot and ensuring that extra money is spent on ramps, wide aisles, and special toilets and stalls. Trust me, businesses like WalMart and K-Mart would survive without the patronage of legitimately handicapped people.

Sounds harsh, doesn't it? But think about it...