ALAN Aldrich has called on his fellow Hawkesbury residents to join with him in supporting a national day of action on the abuse of disabled parking rights. As a spokesperson for the Physical Disability Council of Australia, Mr Aldrich said the council was asking people to organise local action to draw attention to the problems faced by many people with a disability when they try to find somewhere to park. "This is the beginning of a long-haul nationwide effort to bring about fundamental changes in public attitudes and government policies and policing," Mr Aldrich said. He thanked our local parking enforcers for their diligence in booking unauthorised vehicles in disabled parking spots - which attract a fine of $147. "It's a constant problem and happens almost daily," he said. "If I can't find a suitable spot, I have to find a good Samaritan to help me - or I just have to go back home." "The majority of people do the right thing, but for those who don't, I ask them to 'think twice' and consider what their thoughtlessness might mean to others." Mr Aldrich also said it was "too easy" for people to get a disabled parking authority. "It's solely up to the discretion of someone's doctor. There's virtually no check to see if you've actually got a disability." The need for more disabled parking spaces, particularly wider spaces so people in wheelchairs were able to get in and out of their cars was also a pressing problem. Photo: Councillor Christine Paine, parking patrol office Preeti Pamma and Alan Aldrich unite to protect disabled parking spots Source Hawkesbury Gazette, 25 September 2002 ###