I write in support of views expressed by Anna Sampson in her letter headlined 'Parking permit rule restricts disabled daughter's mobility' (South China Morning Post, March 30).
I am disabled to the extent that I cannot leave home without using a wheelchair and I cannot use taxis. I can only go out if my husband drives me. This is not a problem in itself, but we are then faced with parking and all the problems so well described by Ms Sampson. If it is difficult with a child, I assure you it is worse with an adult.
Being left unattended on the ground floor of a car park, while my husband parks or retrieves the car, can be an unpleasant experience, particularly at night. I am extremely vulnerable to robbery or assault. To add insult to injury, there is frequently a disabled space empty and available if only we could legally use it. I contacted the Transport Department on this issue, but the person I spoke to was totally unhelpful, saying that as I was not the actual driver I was not entitled to a disabled parking permit, and I had somebody to help me, so did not need it.
A lot has been done to help the mobility of disabled persons in Hong Kong, with the result that many more wheelchairs are to be seen these days.
Under UK legislation a driver transporting a disabled person can also have a disabled pass, but is not entitled to use it unless actually transporting the disabled person.
How about bringing in this minor improvement in Hong Kong? It would cost little to implement, but would help considerably. Or is the Government not interested?
