Consultations

�

SDEF

�

The Scottish Disability Equality Forum works for social inclusion in Scotland through the removal of barriers and the promotion of equal access for people affected by disability.

It is a membership organisation, representing individuals with any type of impairment, disability organisations and groups who share our values. It aims to ensure the voices of people affected by disability are heard and heeded.

SDEF promotes access in its widest sense: access to the built and natural environment and access to the same opportunities as are enjoyed by other people in our community. It takes a broad definition of access, within which it focuses on access to the environment and access to information and mechanisms promoting two-way communications. It campaigns to improve access in these areas and seeks to become a free source of high quality information on them.

�

Consultation Questions

��

Q1 I have suggested the period for objections should be 21 days; do you have any views on this time scale?

��

Twenty one days is sufficient notice. Most people take up to two weeks holiday at a time so people away would not miss out.

��

Q2. What are your views on disabled persons parking spaces in private car parks, such as supermarkets, being enforceable?

��

Such parking spaces should be enforceable either by Police or wardens. It should be mandatory that there should be a designated number of spaces, for example, 5%, near the entrance.

�

�

Q3. What are your views on enforcement issues or do you have any alternatives to the enforcement method proposed?

�

Enforcement should include fines and vehicle removal.

�

Q4. Where do you think the costs of enforcement lie and what might they be?

��

Costs would lie with the enforcement agencies eg local authority traffic wardens and police. There is no reason why this could not pay for itself in terms of revenue collected through fines.

�

Q5 What would you suggest is a suitable level of fine and why?

�

Bay abuse could attract fines on a sliding scale, for example �30 for a first offence rising to �1000 and vehicles being impounded. Signage would have to be in place three months prior to enforcement so that adequate and clear warnings of penalties. There is some concern that heavy fines for initial offences might not get public support.

�

Some feel that abuse should attract license points and comparisons have been made with mobile phone and driving penalties. For example, February 27 fines for using a hand held mobile will be increased to �60 with three license points.�

�

�

Q6 Do you have any other comments or views on the issue of making all disabled persons parking bays enforceable?

�

Disabled parking bays should be enforceable on private land. A marked bay outside someone’s residence should be for the use of that person only.

�

Scottish Disability Equality Forum

12 Enterprise House

Springkerse Business Park

Stirling

FK7 7UF

�

01786 4463456

� Copyright Scottish Disability Equality Forum 2003-2007

�

�

<back>