Combine Disabled and Parent & Child Spaces into 'Accessible Parking'
The Issue
Every parent knows the struggle – you're in the car alone with your young child or baby, and you find there are no parent and child spaces available. You feel helpless. You need to run errands, make it to appointments on time, but without these spaces you are stuck. This story is not unique, it's an all too common issue faced by many parents every day.
Similarly, disabled individuals also face daily difficulties with finding suitable parking. It's time to introduce a combined 'accessible parking' system. This system would issue 'accessible parking' badges for disabled individuals and parents of young children. The new twist? New mums will receive their badge at their 30-week maternity appointment. Bump’s growing and you can’t just squeeze into the drivers seat if there isn’t the space!
Not all car parks accommodate for Parent & Child, however the majority will have disabled spaces. How are you supposed to get your baby/toddler in and out of the car into a pushchair without scratching the car next to you?
These ‘accessible space’ badges would have an automatic expiry when the child is 5 and no longer requires a pushchair and/or large car seat, and an expiry for disabled users as required.
With the system at the moment, so many people are taking advantage of the parent & child spaces as there is no way for it to be patrolled. This then has a knock on effect for disabled users as well, not just parents with young children.
This isn’t about having all the spaces closest to the door, car parks can spread them around the car park, some closer, some further away. It’s about having the space and accessibility needed.
Currently, in the UK alone, there are roughly 13.9 million disabled people (Papworth Trust, 2020). In 2020, there were approximately 14.6 million families with dependent children (ONS, 2020). By looking at these numbers, it's clear how many people could benefit from this change.
This simple yet significant alteration to our current parking system could take worries of finding suitable parking off the shoulders of many. By combining the 'accessible parking', we can provide a more inclusive environment for the disabled and families to navigate daily life more conveniently.
Let's build a more accommodating future for everyone. Please sign the petition to show your support for the merger of disabled and parent & child spaces into 'accessible parking'.
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The Issue
Every parent knows the struggle – you're in the car alone with your young child or baby, and you find there are no parent and child spaces available. You feel helpless. You need to run errands, make it to appointments on time, but without these spaces you are stuck. This story is not unique, it's an all too common issue faced by many parents every day.
Similarly, disabled individuals also face daily difficulties with finding suitable parking. It's time to introduce a combined 'accessible parking' system. This system would issue 'accessible parking' badges for disabled individuals and parents of young children. The new twist? New mums will receive their badge at their 30-week maternity appointment. Bump’s growing and you can’t just squeeze into the drivers seat if there isn’t the space!
Not all car parks accommodate for Parent & Child, however the majority will have disabled spaces. How are you supposed to get your baby/toddler in and out of the car into a pushchair without scratching the car next to you?
These ‘accessible space’ badges would have an automatic expiry when the child is 5 and no longer requires a pushchair and/or large car seat, and an expiry for disabled users as required.
With the system at the moment, so many people are taking advantage of the parent & child spaces as there is no way for it to be patrolled. This then has a knock on effect for disabled users as well, not just parents with young children.
This isn’t about having all the spaces closest to the door, car parks can spread them around the car park, some closer, some further away. It’s about having the space and accessibility needed.
Currently, in the UK alone, there are roughly 13.9 million disabled people (Papworth Trust, 2020). In 2020, there were approximately 14.6 million families with dependent children (ONS, 2020). By looking at these numbers, it's clear how many people could benefit from this change.
This simple yet significant alteration to our current parking system could take worries of finding suitable parking off the shoulders of many. By combining the 'accessible parking', we can provide a more inclusive environment for the disabled and families to navigate daily life more conveniently.
Let's build a more accommodating future for everyone. Please sign the petition to show your support for the merger of disabled and parent & child spaces into 'accessible parking'.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 30 January 2025