Parking wars are increasingly locking out the disabled

Recent discussion on popular Facebook page raised concerns over the number of disabled spaces at the new Carrefour store in Mijas Costa. This has forced drivers with normal mobility to park further away.

Some people expressed their frustration at the inconvenience of making a quick run to buy essentials such as bread. Conversation quickly shifted to a more pressing matter: disrespectful drivers parking their vehicles in clearly designated disabled spaces, without a valid permit.

James is lucky to have Simone help him get in and out of the car. Other people, like a friend who lives by herself, are not so fortunate. Simone said that “six times out of 10 she gives up and goes home.” James said, “We haven’t had a drink or eaten out in our village for over four years because we can’t park anywhere.”

Simone described her attempts to remind drivers politely that they were in a parking space for the disabled. “I asked one lady if she realized she was parked in a disabled space. She replied, ‘What are you doing out after 5pm?’ “As if disabled people had a curfew.” She clarified: “The blue card doesn’t mean that the driver is always disabled.” “I might be picking up James or getting his wheel chair out.”

James explained how obtaining a Blue Badge in Spain was not easy. James explained that he had to face twelve doctors and Social Security. It took many years. Every few years they will ask you trick questions in order to confirm your need. Simone said, “It isn’t like the UK where you just fill out paperwork.” It’s a rigorous process here, as it should be.” But despite this rigorous process, the real difficulty begins once the badge has been obtained: finding an empty space that is not being used by a driver who parks for convenience.

The battle for parking disabled spaces is getting aggressive

Simone groaned. “The abuse is exhausting.” “I’m trying to raise awareness on how this impacts the lives of disabled people, but I’ve given up confronting drivers because they are aggressive. James is expected to get out of the vehicle alone. They don’t expect me, a able-bodied individual, to help him. James said, “Squeezing in a parking spot and unfolding the wheelchair is impossible.”

EWN asked: “How do wheelchair users manage to make essential trips such as doctor’s visits or shopping, when parking spaces are getting larger but cars remain the same size?” Simone responded, “They just go home.” “They go home.” Call the police and wait until they arrive to impose a fine. In reality, no one has time to sit around and wait for the police.

When asked about the worst local spots, James listed Carrefour, Aldi, Lidl, and the car park near Correos in Coín. We chatted in a café at a BP garage near Alhaurín Golf. The car was parked diagonally, awkwardly due to the three motorcycles blocking their disabled parking space.

Disabled space parking wars – local police do too little

The car park is often controlled by the council. James and Simone remarked that the local police seldom enforced regulations. The problem continues to worsen despite the increase in disabled parking spaces. It is a problem when a driver observes another driver who does not have a badge using unused disabled parking spaces. This behaviour becomes normalised and the problem increases.

Follow Simone’s plight and those of other people on Don’t Dis My AbilityThe group is for people in the Malaga area who have been hurt by those who disrespect disabled parking spaces.

How to obtain a Blue Badge in Spain