Handicapped Spots By the Lift Chairs?
Although I am injured and not able to snowboard, I tagged along this weekend to hang out in Vail with my friends. The 1 – 2 foot fresh powder was just too good to pass. After struggling nearly 4 hours on the road, we finally arrived in Vail Village. The entire Denver must came here ‘cause the only empty parking spots were for the handicapped. After circling around a few levels in the garage, we noticed that we must have passed by a few empty handicapped spots on each level.
“Can handicapped people ski and snowboard? Don’t you think those people who ski and snowboard shouldn’t be classified as handicapped?” My friend was getting frustrated. I started to count and didn’t see a single handicapped spot being taken and we had this army of late arrivals who were still desperately circling around the garage hoping to get lucky.
I used to have a blind roommate and we always used her handicapped parking permit to get the best spots. Her sight was permanently damaged and that was how she got the handicapped blue parking tag. I don’t know if my broken tailbone qualifies me as one of those handicapped parkers. But in reality, I don’t have a permit and I really need a closer spot at this time. What are the practical use of these spots anyway if the injured people can’t park there and the handicapped people don’t come here?
I accidentally came across this picture last night. Hmm, maybe I was wrong… Maybe the disabled do snowboard so Vail needs to designate 50 handicapped spots by the lift chairs.
“You can’t walk yet? But you will soon? Sorry, no handicapped spots for you! Keep circling!”
mountaincurmudgeon said,
December 5, 2005 @ 12:17 pm
An unsually “uncurmudgeonly” response this time…
The handicapped and disabled DO ski and snowboard. As a VERY smally example, the organization I work for has several people, both cognitively and physically disabled, who ski and snowboard every week. We have people in wheelchairs who use the “sit ski” as well as many other people who ski with a vairety of other adaptive equipment and/or methods. Aspen mountain also has an organization called, “Challenge Aspen” that helps facilitate these activities around the area. I’m not sure what other programs exist around the area.
Also, I believe the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) requires a certain number/ratio of parking spaces at any business be designated as “handicapped” to allow equal opportunity for access, regardless of whether or not those spots are actually used. Which, if you think about it, ultimately makes sense. Take for example, someone who permanently has to use a walker or crutches or a manual wheelchair…EVERY day they want to ski, for example, if there were no guarenteed, designated parking spaces, they would have to navigate across the entire parking lot, either alone, or with someone else, (if the want/have to sacrifice the precious independence the rest of us take for granted), through snow, ice, traffic, etc., just to get to the ticket office. And this is EVERY time, ANYWHERE the go, EVERY day of their life. I know, it seems like a small thing at first, but it’s HUGE for them. Personally, I’ll gladly trade a few extra minutes of my time to find another space and/or walk across the parking lot, for the absolute luxury of being perfectly, physically able to do so.
As far as your injury is concerned, consult your doctor. I believe in some cases, it is sometimes possible to obtain a temporary handicapped parking permit with a doctor’s involvement. I have no idea what kind of injuries do, and do not qualify, but it may be worth looking into…As long as you promise me if you DO get a tag, you’ll destroy it immediately after you’re healed. Otherwise, we’re SO in a fight. Tee hee.
Yuna said,
December 5, 2005 @ 12:55 pm
No, it’s not the usual mudgeon’s response, but it’s very informative. I wouldn’t know about these until someone like you who works with these people on daily basis spell out the messages. So Thanks for taking the time to explain.
You are absolutely right that something we take for granted IS A GREAT DEAL for those people who are suffering from physical disabilities. From my own experiences, I only wish I can sit right now…
As far as the temp handi parking, by the time I get it, I won’t be needing it anymore… Although it’s only a few week time frame, but when we are suffering, there is no difference between the permantely handicapped person vs a temp disabled person. Unfortunately, there is no simple system out there to help the injuried ones.
Jee said,
December 5, 2005 @ 6:36 pm
Good post mountaincurmudgeon!
Get well soon Yuna
Yuna said,
December 5, 2005 @ 10:35 pm
Thanks Jee! I think I busted my butt again after taking a flight to San Francisco last night… Oh well..
http://hort.net/+1dPT said,
November 15, 2006 @ 12:08 pm
live porn cam…
FaNVmt1 | online sex cam …
Anonymous said,
December 5, 2006 @ 6:25 pm
beach golf myrtle resort…
…
Anonymous said,
December 6, 2006 @ 10:30 am
street lawyer…
…
Anonymous said,
December 7, 2006 @ 5:46 am
tent rental chicago…
…
cholesterol diet said,
February 11, 2007 @ 10:56 am
cholesterol diet…
cholesterol diet…