Parking card for people with disabilities in the European Union:
conditions in the Member States
European Commission
Put the freestanding folder at the window next to your parking card so that language(s) of the country you are visiting is/are visible.
Use it as a cover for the booklet.
Parking card for people with disabilities in the European Union:
conditions in the Member States
European Commission
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Unit G.3Integration of People with Disabilities
Manuscript completed in February 2008
Document drawn up on the basis of the Council Recommendation 2008/205/EC. Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission may be held responsible for the use that may be made of the information contained in this publication.
Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) Certain mobile telephone operators do not allow access to 00 800 numbers or these calls may be billed. A great deal of additional information on the European Union is available on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server (http://europa.eu/).
© European Communities, 2008 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication.
Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2008
ISBN 978-92-79-08342-6 DOI 10.2767/57859
Printed in Belgium
Printed on white chlorine-free PaPer
General information and advice
This brochure is a fact sheet giving an overview of the conditions of use of a parking card for people with disabilities in the different Member States of the European Union.
Before travelling to another country, read the rules in force in that country. In some cases you will need to ask for further information locally.
Use the information provided in the freestanding folder in the language of the country where you are travelling by displaying it next to your parking card. This information will provide the local authorities with an explanation that your card is based on the standardised Community model and that you should benefit from all associated parking facilities for disabled persons in that country.
3 4 5 taBle of contentS BELGIUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 BULGARIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 CZECH REPUBLIC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 DENMARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 GERMANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 ESTONIA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 IRELAND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 GREECE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SPAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 FRANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 ITALY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 CYPRUS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 LATVIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 LITHUANIA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 LUXEMBOURG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 HUNGARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 MALTA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 NETHERLANDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 AUSTRIA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 POLAND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 PORTUGAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 ROMANIA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SLOVENIA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SLOVAKIA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 FINLAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SWEDEN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 UNITED KINGDOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
BelGiUm General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. ParKinG on roadS Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited. In most areas you may park free of charge and without time limit on road where payment is required. Check locally. ÂYou may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time. Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones. ParKinG in car ParKS Some car parks allow vehicles displaying the parking card to be parked free of charge but only in parking bays reserved for disabled people. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. Â6 BUlGaria General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. ParKinG on roadS For parking outside populated areas, the vehicles should stop outside the traffic roadway. Parking on the traffic roadway is prohibited. In populated areas, the owner or the administration managing the road is allowed to designate areas, roads, or parts of roads as zones for short-term parking during certain hours. This time should not be less than 30 minutes and more than 3 hours. ParKinG in car ParKS The parking areas are marked by road signs, road markings and notices instructing the driver about the parking terms. The corresponding municipal council is allowed to set a parking fee. 7 cZecH rePUBlic General Only the holders of the badge O1 may park their vehicles in car parks reserved for disabled people marked with the badge O1. ParKinG on roadS In individual cases, and if it is urgently necessary, the drivers with the badge O1 may ignore a “parking prohibited” signs for necessary time (safety and fluency of the road traffic must not be impaired). In individual cases, and if it is urgently necessary, the cars displaying a badge O1 may ignore the following signs: “No entry” “For access only” “Supply only” “Except only” “Resident traffic” “Except resident traffic”. In individual cases, and if it is urgently necessary, the cars marked O1 can go to areas signposted “pedestrian zone”. ParKinG in car ParKS Check locally whether private car parks apply a special regime for disabled persons. A person given an O1 badge may ask the administrative authority that a reserved parking place be established at his/her residence. 8 denmarK General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. ParKinG on roadS The following time limits apply in most areas to vehicles displaying the parking card: where parking is prohibited you may park for up • to 15 minutes, but only if you are not causing an obstruction; where parking is limited to 15-30 minutes, you • may park for up to an hour; where parking is free but limited to one, two or • three hours, you may park for an unlimited time. In some areas you must pay to park on roads. If you pay for the maximum time allowed on arrival, you may be permitted to park without time limit. Check locally. ÂDo not drive or park in pedestrian zones unless local concessions specifically allow it. Check locally. ÂParKinG in car ParKS Car parks offer no concessions to vehicles displaying the parking card. 9 GermanY General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. Do not park if the space is marked with a person's name or vehicle registration number. ParKinG on roadS You may park for up to three hours on roads or in • zones where parking is otherwise prohibited. You may exceed the parking time on roads or in • zones where parking time is restricted. You may park free of charge in parking places • where payment is required through pay and display machines or parking meters. You may park in parking places reserved for • residents for up to three hours. You may park in restricted traffic zones and• outside the designated parking places provided you do not hinder through traffic. Park in pedestrian zones only if local concessions • explicitly allow it. Check locally. Even if it is permitted, you are only allowed to enter and park at specified times. Note: These parking concessions only apply if there is no alternative parking option available nearby. The maximum time limit for parking cannot exceed 24 hours. ParKinG in car ParKS Regulations in car parks vary. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. 10 eStonia General On roads and in car parks, parking places for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. ParKinG on roadS You may be permitted to park on roads where parking is prohibited but only if the car is wholly parked on the footpath and if you are not causing an obstruction. You are strongly advised to check locally. ÂYou may park free of charge and without time limit on roads where payment is required. You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time. A disabled driver should have no time limit for parking. A driver of a disabled person may stop in order to pick up or set down a disabled person. Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones. ParKinG in car ParKS Some car parks allow vehicles displaying the parking card to be parked free of charge. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. 11 ireland General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. ParKinG on roadS Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited. Parking charges and parking time concessions for vehicles displaying the parking card vary. Check locally. ÂDo not drive or park in pedestrian zones. ParKinG in car ParKS In some car parks, payment concessions are given to vehicles displaying the parking card. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. Â12 Greece General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. Do not park if the space is marked with a person's name or vehicle registration number. ParKinG on roadS The use of the parking card allows parking on public roads or places for vehicle traffic, pedestrians or animals according to priority. Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited. In most areas you must pay to park where payment is required. Check locally. ÂIn most areas you may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time. Check locally. ÂDo not drive or park in pedestrian zones. ParKinG in car ParKS Some car parks allow vehicles displaying the parking card to be parked free of charge. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. 13 SPain General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. ParKinG on roadS Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited unless local concessions specifically allow it. Check locally. ÂParking charges and parking time limit concessions for vehicles displaying the parking card vary. Check locally. ÂDo not drive or park in pedestrian zones unless local concessions specifically allow it. Check locally. ÂParKinG in car ParKS In most places car parks offer concessions to vehicles displaying the parking card. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. Â14 france General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. Although there is a national system of parking concessions, local variations can apply. Check locally. ÂLegislation insists on a free access to reserved parking places for disabled people and prohibits any kind of equipment which limits their access. ParKinG on roadS Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited. You must pay to park on roads where payment is required. In Paris and in some other cities, vehicles displaying the parking card may be parked on roads free of charge. Check locally. ÂIn many areas you may park without time limit on roads where parking ifs free but restricted by time. Check locally. ÂDo not drive or park in pedestrian zones. ParKinG in car ParKS Car parks give concessions to vehicles displaying the parking card. Check with car park notice or ask an attendant. Â15 italY General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a yellow line and wheelchair symbol. Do not park if the space is marked with a person's name or vehicle registration number. ParKinG on roadS You may park on roads where parking is prohibited but only in an emergency and only if you are not causing an obstruction. In most areas you must pay to park where payment is required. Check locally. ÂYou may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time. Do not drive or park in a pedestrian or ZTL (limited traffic areas) zones unless local concessions specifically allow it. Check locally. ÂParKinG in car ParKS 1 in 50 spaces in public car parks is marked for use by vehicles displaying the parking card. Vehicles displaying the parking card may be parked in those spaces free of charge. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. Â16 cYPrUS General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. ParKinG on roadS Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited. You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads where payment is required. Check locally. ÂParKinG in car ParKS Some public car parks allow vehicles displaying the parking card to be parked free of charge. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. Â17 latvia General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. ParKinG on roadS. You may park your car for free in the specially marked parking places for persons with disabilities. Persons with a parking card for people with disabilities may ignore the following signs: “Parking prohibited” “Waiting prohibited”. ParKinG in car ParKS No concessions are offered to vehicles displaying the parking card. 18 litHUania General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. ParKinG on roadS You may park on roads where parking is prohibited but only if you are not causing an obstruction. You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads where payment is required, but only in spaces marked with a wheelchair symbol. You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time. You may drive in a zone where traffic is prohibited ParKinG in car ParKS Some car parks allow vehicles displaying the parking card to park free of charge, but only in parking bays reserved for disabled people. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. 19 lUXemBoUrG General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. ParKinG on roadS No concessions are offered to vehicles displaying the parking card. ParKinG in car ParKS No concessions are offered to vehicles displaying the parking card. 20 HUnGarY General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. ParKinG on roadS You may park free of charge on roads where payment is required. You may exceed the time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time. ParKinG in car ParKS Some car parks allow vehicles displaying the parking card to park free of charge. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. Â21 malta General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. Details of parking concessions available to disabled people can be obtained from Maltese authorities at the following address: The Director Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni b'Dizabilita' Centru Hidma Socjali Santa Venera Malta e-mail: helpdesk@knpd http://www.knpd.org/ ParKinG on roadS Check locally. ÂParKinG in car ParKS Check locally. Â22 netHerlandS General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. Do not park if the space is marked with a person's name or vehicle registration number. ParKinG on roadS You may park for up to three hours on roads where parking is prohibited, but only if you are not causing obstruction. You must pay to park where payment is required and you must keep within the time limit. Local variations may apply. Check locally. ÂYou may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time (blue zone). Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones. ParKinG in car ParKS No concessions are offered to vehicles displaying the parking card. 23 aUStria General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. Do not park if the space is marked with a person's name or vehicle registration number. ParKinG on roadS Do not park on roads where stopping and parking is prohibited. In most areas you may park free of charge and without time limit where payment is required. Check locally. ÂYou may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time. You may drive and park in pedestrian zones, but only during vehicle delivery access times. Check locally. ÂParKinG in car ParKS Public car parks offer no concessions to vehicles displaying the parking card. 24 Poland General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. Persons with a parking card for people with disabilities may, under the condition of keeping special precautions, disobey the following traffic signs: “No movement in both directions” “No entering for engine vehicles, with the exception of one-track motor bikes” “No entering for buses” “No entering for motor bikes” “No entering for motorized bicycles” “No parking” “No parking on odd days” “No parking on even days” “Area of restricted parking”. The above mentioned provision applies also to: a person driving a vehicle, who carries a person • with reduced mobility; members of a staff of the institutions which • deal with the care, rehabilitation or education of persons with disabilities being under their care; drivers of vehicles displaying the parking card • issued abroad. ParKinG on roadS Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited. You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads where payment is required, but only in spaces marked with a wheelchair symbol. Check locally. Â25 You may park on either side of the road where parking is restricted on odd and even days but only if you are not causing an obstruction.
• Check locally. Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones unless local concessions specifically allow it.
• Check locally. ParKinG in car ParKS
No concessions are offered to vehicles displaying the parking card. But local variations may apply.
• Check locally. 26 PortUGal General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol or symbol of pregnant women or women with a child in her arms. Do not park if the space is marked with a name or vehicle registration number. ParKinG on roadS Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited unless it is an absolute necessity and only if it is for a short time and does not obstruct vehicles or pedestrians. You must pay to park on roads where payment is required and must not exceed the paid for time. You must not exceed time limits on roads where time restrictions apply. Parking places close to disabled persons' residences can be reserved. Check locally. ÂDo not drive or park in pedestrian zones. ParKinG in car ParKS Car parks generally do not offer concessions to vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card. Some local authorities establish a reserved parking place at the residence of a disabled person. 27 romania General Within parking spaces close to public utility buildings, as well as in organised parking, at least 4% of the total number of places, but not less than 2 places, are adapted, reserved and signalled through international sign to be used free of charge by disabled persons. The administrator of the parking places in the public domain distributes free parking places for disabled people that asked for and need a parking place as close to their domicile as possible. 28 Slovenia General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. ParKinG on roadS You may park for up to two hours on roads where parking is prohibited but only if you are not causing an obstruction. You must pay to park on roads where payment is required and keep within time limit. Where you are permitted to park on pavements, you must ensure that at least 1,6m is available for pedestrians. Check locally. ÂDo not drive or park in pedestrian zones. ParKinG in car ParKS Some car parks allow vehicles displaying the parking card to be parked free of charge. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. Â29 SlovaKia General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. The use of restricted parking areas is entitled tovehicles marked with the no. O1 symbol. Do not park if the space is marked with a vehicle registration number. ParKinG on roadS The driver of a vehicle transporting a seriously handicapped person having to rely on individual transportation, marked with the no. O1 symbol is not obliged to adhere to parking prohibitions, provided the driver does not obstruct through traffic. A vehicle with the no. O1 marking symbol can ignore the follow signs: “Except for Deliveries”, “Deliveries Only” “Except for Transport Services” “Transport Services”. ParKinG in car ParKS Some car parks allow vehicles displaying the parking card to park free of charge or with a charge reduction. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. Â30 finland General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. Do not park if the space is marked with a person's name or vehicle registration number. ParKinG on roadS In some areas you may park where parking is prohibited, but only if you are not causing an obstruction. Check locally. ÂYou may park free of charge and exceed the time limit in areas where payment is required. You may exceed the time limit in areas where parking is free but limited by time. Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones. ParKinG in car ParKS Regulations in car parks vary. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant. 31 SWeden General Parking cards exempt holders only from local road traffic regulations governing parking. Local traffic regulations are usually determined by the district authority and denoted by road signs. Parking spaces reserved especially for the physically disabled with parking cards on road and in car parks are marked by a wheelchair symbol. In some districts parking is free for those displaying a parking card. ParKinG on roadS Parking for up to three hours is permitted in areas where parking is prohibited or permitted for shorter periods than three hours under local road traffic regulations. Parking for up to 24 hours is permitted in areas • where parking is permitted for periods of between three hours and 24 hours under local traffic regulations. Parking in pedestrian precincts is permitted for • up to three hours. Parking is permitted in parking spaces reserved • for the physically disabled with a parking card under local road traffic regulations. The maximum parking time for the parking space in question must be observed. You may not park in parking spaces intended for • a specific purpose or type of vehicle. ParKinG in car ParKS The above rules set out under the heading parking on roads also apply to car parks. Landowners may forbid parking or lay. 32 United KinGdom General On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. The parking card is used in conjunction with a parking disc. However, people from other countries who display the parking card without a parking disc will be given the same concessions. ParKinG on roadS No concessions are offered to vehicles displaying the parking card in Central London. Check locally. ÂYou may park on roads where parking is prohibited unless there is a sign “no loading or unloading”, and only if you are not causing an obstruction for: up to three hours in England and Wales; • without time limit in Scotland and Northern • Ireland unless local restrictions apply. Check locally. Â33 You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads where payment is required unless signs indicate otherwise.
• Check locally. You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time unless signs indicate otherwise.
• Check locally. Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones unless local concessions specifically allow it.
• Check locally. ParKinG in car ParKS
Some car parks allow vehicles displaying the Parking Card to be park free of charge.
Check with car park notices or ask an attendant.
34 European Commission
Parking card for people with disabilities in the European Union: conditions in the Member States
Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 2008 – 36 pp. – 9,9 × 21 cm ISBN 978-92-79-08342-6
How to obtain EU publications
Our priced publications are available from EU Bookshop (http://bookshop.europa.eu/), where you can place an order with the sales agent of your choice. The Publications Office has a worldwide network of sales agents. You can obtain their contact details by sending a fax to (352) 29 29-42758.
More information:
http://parkingcard.europa.eu/
KE-30-08-401-EN-C
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Cllr Keith Martin's Blog
Recycling charges are twisted says Martin
Posted: 26 Jun 2008 07:18 PM CDT
Councillor Keith Martin has described the decision by Mayo County Council to charge for recycling at the Derrinumera and Rathroeen amenity centres as "twisted".
Cllr Martin says "the logic behind the charge is twisted as the policy locally and nationally is that the polluter pays; not the recycler!
Last week director of services Seamus Granahan revealed the proposed charges during a meeting of the environmental policy and emergency services strategic policy committee of Mayo County Council. The Chairperson of the environment strategic policy committee is Westport's Cllr Margaret Adams.
An example of the charges which may be put into effect are €2 per car and €5 per van. A council official explained that a two-tier system might come into effect where glass and can recycling banks would remain outside the centre and would be free of charge
The director of services said that the money accumulated from this fee would be invested into the construction of other centres and that the charge should be "imposed with immediate effect".
Currently, members of the public using Rathroeen and Derrinumera civic sites are only charged for bags of refuse going to landfill.
Cllr Martin says "I am opposed to such charges which will punish those who are doing their bit for the environment. I think it will end up damaging the great progress that has been made in domestic waste recycling in Mayo. Charging for recycling is another stealth tax. The public should be rewarded for recycling not charged more money.
"Mayo County Council charges private individuals and waste contractors for dumping waste at these centres and it is from these charges that the cost of these centres should be met.
"I am taking this issue up with Mr Granahan and with Cllr Margaret Adams and the rest of her committee. I think it is appalling that there has been no opposition to this plan from the committee. I am writing to all the members and officials this week. I am also urging the public to contact their local councillors and tell them to block the charges.
"I am also urgently calling on Cllr Adams, as head of the committee responsible, to come out and join me in opposing these charges. In the meantime I will not rule out public protests on the issue.
"These charges are the thin end of the wedge and once introduced there will be no limit to how much the council can and will increase them in coming years."
Cllr Martin concluded that he will be bringing a motion before Westport Town Council calling for the revocation of the charges at the July meeting of the council.
"The polluter should pay; the recycler should not, it's a simple as that. The cost of living is now sky high and we have councillors and officials introducing another stealth tax on hard pressed families. It's a disgrace!"
086 0691182 098 25747
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Recycling charges are twisted says Martin
Posted: 26 Jun 2008 07:18 PM CDT
Councillor Keith Martin has described the decision by Mayo County Council to charge for recycling at the Derrinumera and Rathroeen amenity centres as "twisted".
Cllr Martin says "the logic behind the charge is twisted as the policy locally and nationally is that the polluter pays; not the recycler!
Last week director of services Seamus Granahan revealed the proposed charges during a meeting of the environmental policy and emergency services strategic policy committee of Mayo County Council. The Chairperson of the environment strategic policy committee is Westport's Cllr Margaret Adams.
An example of the charges which may be put into effect are €2 per car and €5 per van. A council official explained that a two-tier system might come into effect where glass and can recycling banks would remain outside the centre and would be free of charge
The director of services said that the money accumulated from this fee would be invested into the construction of other centres and that the charge should be "imposed with immediate effect".
Currently, members of the public using Rathroeen and Derrinumera civic sites are only charged for bags of refuse going to landfill.
Cllr Martin says "I am opposed to such charges which will punish those who are doing their bit for the environment. I think it will end up damaging the great progress that has been made in domestic waste recycling in Mayo. Charging for recycling is another stealth tax. The public should be rewarded for recycling not charged more money.
"Mayo County Council charges private individuals and waste contractors for dumping waste at these centres and it is from these charges that the cost of these centres should be met.
"I am taking this issue up with Mr Granahan and with Cllr Margaret Adams and the rest of her committee. I think it is appalling that there has been no opposition to this plan from the committee. I am writing to all the members and officials this week. I am also urging the public to contact their local councillors and tell them to block the charges.
"I am also urgently calling on Cllr Adams, as head of the committee responsible, to come out and join me in opposing these charges. In the meantime I will not rule out public protests on the issue.
"These charges are the thin end of the wedge and once introduced there will be no limit to how much the council can and will increase them in coming years."
Cllr Martin concluded that he will be bringing a motion before Westport Town Council calling for the revocation of the charges at the July meeting of the council.
"The polluter should pay; the recycler should not, it's a simple as that. The cost of living is now sky high and we have councillors and officials introducing another stealth tax on hard pressed families. It's a disgrace!"
086 0691182 098 25747
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Mr Enda Kenny TD
Constituency Office
Tucker Street
Castlebar
Co Mayo
18/6/08
Dear Enda
I welcome the article that was published in the Insight Magazine, May-June issue (Kenny concerned over access in Castlebar) regarding footpath obstructions for the accessibility for all .
In 1982 when your party was in power you were among a group of Cllrs, architects, engineers, the press, myself and one other wheelchair user took part in a fact finding mission on access in Castlebar town that was 26 years ago !! And despite much talk nothing has changed except more cars more obstructions.
So I am wondering after 26 years what exactly your campaign will cover and what your objectives are .I would be happy to consult with you on issues that affect wheelchair users and people with all disabilities’
I have being actively trying to raise awareness on these issues myself on an ongoing basis but to no real effect. therefore I feel that people with disabilities should be included in all decision making that affects us.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
----------------
Tom Chambers
Constituency Office
Tucker Street
Castlebar
Co Mayo
18/6/08
Dear Enda
I welcome the article that was published in the Insight Magazine, May-June issue (Kenny concerned over access in Castlebar) regarding footpath obstructions for the accessibility for all .
In 1982 when your party was in power you were among a group of Cllrs, architects, engineers, the press, myself and one other wheelchair user took part in a fact finding mission on access in Castlebar town that was 26 years ago !! And despite much talk nothing has changed except more cars more obstructions.
So I am wondering after 26 years what exactly your campaign will cover and what your objectives are .I would be happy to consult with you on issues that affect wheelchair users and people with all disabilities’
I have being actively trying to raise awareness on these issues myself on an ongoing basis but to no real effect. therefore I feel that people with disabilities should be included in all decision making that affects us.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
----------------
Tom Chambers
THE MIRACLES IN THE CAR PARK
There are, as they say, patron saints and patron saints. Some famous, some not so much; some outstanding in they’re chosen departments, monopolists of miraculous favours.
St. Anthony for things lost; St. Jude for hopeless cases; St. Blaise for the sore throat; St. Christopher for the traveller-we each of us have our own favourite.
But surely, if there is one who has been ignored, neglected and unknown (as far as I am aware) patron saint of car parks. His identify may be a secret, but his works are the essence of heavenly intervention.
Have you not noticed, those past few weeks, the recurrent miracles played out in the public car parks of town and city? Disabled drivers (for what else can they be) gently manoeuvre their vehicles into the only unoccupied spaces in town, those marked with the wheelchair logo. Minutes later, they can be seen heading off to the shops, agile and able-bodied and fleet of foot, just like you or me, their crutches and Zimmer frames thrown to one side (or somewhere), their wheelchairs no longer needed.
But where is their gratitude? Is there a leper among them to come back and say thanks? You will scan the Thanksgiving small ads all you like, but you will see no mention of thanks to that mild and good saint who has restored their crippled bodies to full and instant health.
The good saint is long used to such ingratitude, and all the better for it. If there is a complaint, it is his blatant discrimination in the matter of which he decides to bestow his great favours on. Invariably, the occupants of the miracle wheelchair spaces are those bearings the distinctive yellow number plates of Northern Ireland or British motorists.
But then it would be churlish to begrudge a visitor the miraculous cure to be found south of the Border. Think of the benefit which-properly marketed-the car-parking miracles would be to the tourist trade.
Respectfully yours,
…………………..
Tom Chambers
“The Billy Ranch”
Knocknageeha
Newport
Co. Mayo
There are, as they say, patron saints and patron saints. Some famous, some not so much; some outstanding in they’re chosen departments, monopolists of miraculous favours.
St. Anthony for things lost; St. Jude for hopeless cases; St. Blaise for the sore throat; St. Christopher for the traveller-we each of us have our own favourite.
But surely, if there is one who has been ignored, neglected and unknown (as far as I am aware) patron saint of car parks. His identify may be a secret, but his works are the essence of heavenly intervention.
Have you not noticed, those past few weeks, the recurrent miracles played out in the public car parks of town and city? Disabled drivers (for what else can they be) gently manoeuvre their vehicles into the only unoccupied spaces in town, those marked with the wheelchair logo. Minutes later, they can be seen heading off to the shops, agile and able-bodied and fleet of foot, just like you or me, their crutches and Zimmer frames thrown to one side (or somewhere), their wheelchairs no longer needed.
But where is their gratitude? Is there a leper among them to come back and say thanks? You will scan the Thanksgiving small ads all you like, but you will see no mention of thanks to that mild and good saint who has restored their crippled bodies to full and instant health.
The good saint is long used to such ingratitude, and all the better for it. If there is a complaint, it is his blatant discrimination in the matter of which he decides to bestow his great favours on. Invariably, the occupants of the miracle wheelchair spaces are those bearings the distinctive yellow number plates of Northern Ireland or British motorists.
But then it would be churlish to begrudge a visitor the miraculous cure to be found south of the Border. Think of the benefit which-properly marketed-the car-parking miracles would be to the tourist trade.
Respectfully yours,
…………………..
Tom Chambers
“The Billy Ranch”
Knocknageeha
Newport
Co. Mayo
“The Celtic Tiger”
Can anyone tell me as to why it is so difficult to have a basic need catered to regarding accessibility in Ireland? In this day and age you would think firstly that pure and utter logic would prevail, but with my experiences, and with the so called "Celtic Tiger" we are years away from being a society that open doors.
Sorry, regulars only !
Yeah I know, yet another wheelchair story about how hard done by the disabled are. Yes but this time with a twist and the odd flavour of madness.Let me start by giving a synopsis as to the type of person who actually took time out to clear his mind of the everyday hypocrisy a wheelchair user has to deal with (note that I stated user and not bound, I am quiet attached to my chair when getting around but I tend to leave it outside the covers when I sleep).I don’t mind in the least as to how I would be classed, it differs from generation to generation, and to an elderly person I would be classed as an invalid, personally I think myself to be a valid person but hey, those were the times so you had to roll with it. Today, people get too hung up on what they perceive themselves to be and what category they file into. I suppose some people feel they need to belong to a group whether they are disabled or not, but who among us doesn’t suffer from one form of a disability, be it obvious like mine or the able bodied male in his pin stripped suit who has been rendered impotent due to the pressures of work. Personally, I’d prefer my chair.So let’s get back on track, I’m a 62 year old male, paraplegic, March ’81 was an eye opener for me, I found out that I actually owned a spinal cord. It didn’t seem very important at the time but I like many others found out that when that cord gets damaged, it can change a life in an instant. My first experience with the consultant in the rehab, I even learned as to the different levels on the spinal column as he briefly muttered you’re a T7 and walked away. When you’re in a position like that, you find it to be “a hard tablet to swallow” but I considered myself as lucky, with the amount of damage that was done, I was very lucky to be breathing, although still at this time it was with the aid of a machine, but I knew it wouldn’t be long before I tasted the sweet burning of my lungs as I inhaled my first cigarette. Some people never learn.I always had strong will power but never acted upon it, so I thought it’s now or never. I am no different to many spinal injuries who took the bull by the horns, so I dusted myself off and got on with life, no self pity, no chip on my shoulder, no “why me?”. The way I look it is “why not me” it can happen to anyone in a heart beat, and it doesn’t discriminate between rich or poor, male or female, young or old. You just got to play the cards you were dealt and make the most of it. I am also of the view which some people find harsh is that some people with disabilities really irritate me, now of course if I was able to walk on shoe leather, to make a statement like that I would be classed as some form of a bigot, I on the other hand have seen it first hand as to how much whining someone can do purely because they think society in general should stand up and take notice. I got news for ye lads; society doesn’t give two fiddlers, so get your balls back and move on.I’ve heard it all over the years, even from the mouth of an MEP who while on his visit to the rehab said and I quote “want anything done lads regarding any disability issue, then don’t come to me” so, you see whether you are in a chair or not, it doesn’t give you an automatic right to be a self righteous pain in the rectum. Yes people with disabilities have rights, as does anyone else in this god forsaken country. But what is the point in having all these rights. It reminds me of when I was given my free travel pass, what a load of good that was, I wasn’t able to get on a bus, to try and gain access to a train was like Bertie Ahern trying to get a sentence out without sticking both feet in his mouth.Access, now this is a word that nobody seems to understand. As a wheelchair user this is an issue that grounds a lot of ideas as to how you might want to spend an evening out. I, a drinker don’t frequent public houses very often, for two reasons, the first is that there is rarely an occasion when I would be able to gain access to the toilets, and I think the barman would be offended when I go to the counter and ask for an empty pint glass and then give it back to him full. The second reason is that I’m a magnet for the typical male who got up that morning and decided “today I’m going to the pub and I’m not leaving there till I’ve drank my weight in beer”. As he finds it quiet difficult to focus, he staggers his way towards me and feels the need to spend some time with me and tell me how marvellous I am because I can push myself, I am also subjected to his three second memory span, and then of course he decides to test the theory “push it and it moves”. One of the funniest regarding access I have came across is a pub Dublin which actually has a ramp leading up to an eight inch step, try figure that one out.I like to try and go places that I don’t get too much bother. So I decided to try the local cinema, notice I said “try”. But at least if I wanted to see a movie there was a good chance it was to be viewed with comfort. I thought to myself at the time “this is 2007, surely this will be done right” Yeah and then all the kings horses and all the kings men couldn’t put humpty dumpy together again. What a farce, I had plenty of access into the building. Well that didn’t go to plan as the seating area for wheelchair users is in the centre of the isle. Now my question is, where on gods green earth is the logic in that? Not to mention the fact that being a six footer in a chair and towering over people beside me, I automatically become a nightmare for the person in the back row with his camcorder stuck between his legs. Have any of these developers got an IQ over seventy? Wouldn’t it be a logical step to take to have a wheelchair user taken onboard, purely as a consultant? People in suits designing buildings and giving their own interputation of access, isn’t the way to do it. Are they under the illusion that we are grateful for the day out and going to the cinema itself should be enough, sure didn’t he get out for the day anyway, isn’t he great, god bless him.Now if you ever fancy a weekend away and decide to book a B&B, well enough said. Reason why is because there are no B&B’s that truly cater for people with disabilities, yes I know one has opened in Munster but that seems to have a seasonal opening and if someone doesn’t want to cater all year round then personally I’m not going to bother giving my custom, see I have just exercised one of my rights. So the majority of times I would use a Hotel, well easier said than done, some places when you ring up and book a room and state “I would like a room with wheelchair access and also for the en suite to be wheelchair friendly”. Done and dusted, hotel booked for the weekend, into the car and off we go. Arrive at the hotel, check in, toddle off up to the room, and I let curiosity get the better of me and take the leap forward to check out the en suite.Then reality sets in, I’m away for the weekend, with absolutely no way of bathing properly, I’m facing a room that you could barely swing a cat in, a bath that’s not accessible and since I don’t bring a mirror with me, shaving becomes difficult as the mirror is a foot above my head. Come on people it’s not rocket science. One group of hotels I enjoy frequenting are the quality choice hotels, when you ask for a wheelchair accessible room, you get exactly what you need, but I do have one complaint regarding the en suite, although it is quiet spacious and actually even has a roll in shower which I was pleasantly surprised to see, there was one main ingredient missing “the shower chair”. How am I to shower? How am I to get from the bed to the shower? Use my wheelchair? It doesn’t take much for people who are in business which cater to the public to get advice in these matters, but we are the minority and that has been proven when you see the amount of rooms any given hotel out there has so called adapted for the disabled.My least pleasant stay would have been in a hotel in Co. Cork. That was a joke, wheelchair accessible room was upstairs, only thing was that the lift didn’t stop on that floor. So you had to go through the back yard, where all the crap was kept, then you had to wait to make sure a member of staff had the keys for the back door to gain access to the “wheelchair accessible” room, but that really didn’t matter as you could use the time well by warming up before you tackled the ramp leading up to the back door, and as you can see there is no point in going into more detail as to what this hotel catered for, but I did have the pleasure in filling out a comment card I was so graciously handed upon leaving, Personally I think there just isn’t enough room on them cards to really elaborate your true feelings.
Before I go; I must exercise my vote even though I am informed once again that my local polling station is inaccessible and I will have to use another station (N.S.) “So much for education” that has a makeshift ramp around the back of the buildingYes I know “able bodied have feelings too”. But the sooner this country gets with the times the better it will be for all of us.
Tom Chambers
Disability Campaigner
“The Billy Ranch”
Newport.
Can anyone tell me as to why it is so difficult to have a basic need catered to regarding accessibility in Ireland? In this day and age you would think firstly that pure and utter logic would prevail, but with my experiences, and with the so called "Celtic Tiger" we are years away from being a society that open doors.
Sorry, regulars only !
Yeah I know, yet another wheelchair story about how hard done by the disabled are. Yes but this time with a twist and the odd flavour of madness.Let me start by giving a synopsis as to the type of person who actually took time out to clear his mind of the everyday hypocrisy a wheelchair user has to deal with (note that I stated user and not bound, I am quiet attached to my chair when getting around but I tend to leave it outside the covers when I sleep).I don’t mind in the least as to how I would be classed, it differs from generation to generation, and to an elderly person I would be classed as an invalid, personally I think myself to be a valid person but hey, those were the times so you had to roll with it. Today, people get too hung up on what they perceive themselves to be and what category they file into. I suppose some people feel they need to belong to a group whether they are disabled or not, but who among us doesn’t suffer from one form of a disability, be it obvious like mine or the able bodied male in his pin stripped suit who has been rendered impotent due to the pressures of work. Personally, I’d prefer my chair.So let’s get back on track, I’m a 62 year old male, paraplegic, March ’81 was an eye opener for me, I found out that I actually owned a spinal cord. It didn’t seem very important at the time but I like many others found out that when that cord gets damaged, it can change a life in an instant. My first experience with the consultant in the rehab, I even learned as to the different levels on the spinal column as he briefly muttered you’re a T7 and walked away. When you’re in a position like that, you find it to be “a hard tablet to swallow” but I considered myself as lucky, with the amount of damage that was done, I was very lucky to be breathing, although still at this time it was with the aid of a machine, but I knew it wouldn’t be long before I tasted the sweet burning of my lungs as I inhaled my first cigarette. Some people never learn.I always had strong will power but never acted upon it, so I thought it’s now or never. I am no different to many spinal injuries who took the bull by the horns, so I dusted myself off and got on with life, no self pity, no chip on my shoulder, no “why me?”. The way I look it is “why not me” it can happen to anyone in a heart beat, and it doesn’t discriminate between rich or poor, male or female, young or old. You just got to play the cards you were dealt and make the most of it. I am also of the view which some people find harsh is that some people with disabilities really irritate me, now of course if I was able to walk on shoe leather, to make a statement like that I would be classed as some form of a bigot, I on the other hand have seen it first hand as to how much whining someone can do purely because they think society in general should stand up and take notice. I got news for ye lads; society doesn’t give two fiddlers, so get your balls back and move on.I’ve heard it all over the years, even from the mouth of an MEP who while on his visit to the rehab said and I quote “want anything done lads regarding any disability issue, then don’t come to me” so, you see whether you are in a chair or not, it doesn’t give you an automatic right to be a self righteous pain in the rectum. Yes people with disabilities have rights, as does anyone else in this god forsaken country. But what is the point in having all these rights. It reminds me of when I was given my free travel pass, what a load of good that was, I wasn’t able to get on a bus, to try and gain access to a train was like Bertie Ahern trying to get a sentence out without sticking both feet in his mouth.Access, now this is a word that nobody seems to understand. As a wheelchair user this is an issue that grounds a lot of ideas as to how you might want to spend an evening out. I, a drinker don’t frequent public houses very often, for two reasons, the first is that there is rarely an occasion when I would be able to gain access to the toilets, and I think the barman would be offended when I go to the counter and ask for an empty pint glass and then give it back to him full. The second reason is that I’m a magnet for the typical male who got up that morning and decided “today I’m going to the pub and I’m not leaving there till I’ve drank my weight in beer”. As he finds it quiet difficult to focus, he staggers his way towards me and feels the need to spend some time with me and tell me how marvellous I am because I can push myself, I am also subjected to his three second memory span, and then of course he decides to test the theory “push it and it moves”. One of the funniest regarding access I have came across is a pub Dublin which actually has a ramp leading up to an eight inch step, try figure that one out.I like to try and go places that I don’t get too much bother. So I decided to try the local cinema, notice I said “try”. But at least if I wanted to see a movie there was a good chance it was to be viewed with comfort. I thought to myself at the time “this is 2007, surely this will be done right” Yeah and then all the kings horses and all the kings men couldn’t put humpty dumpy together again. What a farce, I had plenty of access into the building. Well that didn’t go to plan as the seating area for wheelchair users is in the centre of the isle. Now my question is, where on gods green earth is the logic in that? Not to mention the fact that being a six footer in a chair and towering over people beside me, I automatically become a nightmare for the person in the back row with his camcorder stuck between his legs. Have any of these developers got an IQ over seventy? Wouldn’t it be a logical step to take to have a wheelchair user taken onboard, purely as a consultant? People in suits designing buildings and giving their own interputation of access, isn’t the way to do it. Are they under the illusion that we are grateful for the day out and going to the cinema itself should be enough, sure didn’t he get out for the day anyway, isn’t he great, god bless him.Now if you ever fancy a weekend away and decide to book a B&B, well enough said. Reason why is because there are no B&B’s that truly cater for people with disabilities, yes I know one has opened in Munster but that seems to have a seasonal opening and if someone doesn’t want to cater all year round then personally I’m not going to bother giving my custom, see I have just exercised one of my rights. So the majority of times I would use a Hotel, well easier said than done, some places when you ring up and book a room and state “I would like a room with wheelchair access and also for the en suite to be wheelchair friendly”. Done and dusted, hotel booked for the weekend, into the car and off we go. Arrive at the hotel, check in, toddle off up to the room, and I let curiosity get the better of me and take the leap forward to check out the en suite.Then reality sets in, I’m away for the weekend, with absolutely no way of bathing properly, I’m facing a room that you could barely swing a cat in, a bath that’s not accessible and since I don’t bring a mirror with me, shaving becomes difficult as the mirror is a foot above my head. Come on people it’s not rocket science. One group of hotels I enjoy frequenting are the quality choice hotels, when you ask for a wheelchair accessible room, you get exactly what you need, but I do have one complaint regarding the en suite, although it is quiet spacious and actually even has a roll in shower which I was pleasantly surprised to see, there was one main ingredient missing “the shower chair”. How am I to shower? How am I to get from the bed to the shower? Use my wheelchair? It doesn’t take much for people who are in business which cater to the public to get advice in these matters, but we are the minority and that has been proven when you see the amount of rooms any given hotel out there has so called adapted for the disabled.My least pleasant stay would have been in a hotel in Co. Cork. That was a joke, wheelchair accessible room was upstairs, only thing was that the lift didn’t stop on that floor. So you had to go through the back yard, where all the crap was kept, then you had to wait to make sure a member of staff had the keys for the back door to gain access to the “wheelchair accessible” room, but that really didn’t matter as you could use the time well by warming up before you tackled the ramp leading up to the back door, and as you can see there is no point in going into more detail as to what this hotel catered for, but I did have the pleasure in filling out a comment card I was so graciously handed upon leaving, Personally I think there just isn’t enough room on them cards to really elaborate your true feelings.
Before I go; I must exercise my vote even though I am informed once again that my local polling station is inaccessible and I will have to use another station (N.S.) “So much for education” that has a makeshift ramp around the back of the buildingYes I know “able bodied have feelings too”. But the sooner this country gets with the times the better it will be for all of us.
Tom Chambers
Disability Campaigner
“The Billy Ranch”
Newport.
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