[wheeliebear75]

My Mom took this pic with her camera phone at the fair. Looks fake to all of us. (us being myself & family)




I live in California & here is what a valid CA disabled placard should look. (I used the one that expired today a.k.a. last cycle they're given out every 2 yrs)




I'll see if & what the rest of you notice odd about the top one.......then I'll post what we noticed.

[Yasko]

The first card looks like WA state disable parking card!

[edlee]

Sorry, but I don't see it either. What looks odd to you?
ed

[Ches]

Did they have a Cali license plate? Your pic is too small to really tell.. does it have the proper i.d and expiration?

Neither of those look like the Texas one, few differences, so Im baffled?!

[twisted_ophelia]

Is this something that is common, people creating fake disabled parking permits? I'm Canadian and our permits look completely different (that being said, I use my permit in the USA all the time when I drive there and have never had an issue) but if that one is fake, wouldn't that person be going through an awful lot of trouble just to be able to park a few spots closer? Looks authentic to me, maybe it's out of state as others have mentioned. Didn't you guys check the license plates? And, no offense, but is it REALLY that important? Personally, I think worrying about making places more accessible or things along those lines is more of an issue. It sucks when someone without a permit/fake permit parks in a disabled parking spot, but you can always double park anywhere in the parking lot if there are no other disabled spots available. Here in Toronto, we can even park where it says 'no parking' if we have permits as long as it's not ON the sidewalk or in front of a hydrant. I dunno, I find life is much easier when you don't stress over things like that.

This post has been edited by twisted_ophelia: 01 July 2009 - 06:27 PM

[wheeliebear75]

Well if you look at the one on the top it has some white strips, I don't see an expiration date, and when I look at it using the disabled emblem as the focal point the one in the windshield is quite long by comparison.

On one hand yes I suppose they could be visiting from out of state. But I'm reasonably sure it would still show an expiration date. And being that this was in San Diego county very southern California it isn't all that likely that they were from the next state over or anything. Mom said the plates were just standard issue CA license plate.

90% of what I see are people abusing placards that they obviously do not need for their own use (maybe they take grandma to do her errands & she left it in their car), or someone "just parking there while I go in for a minute" & have no plates or placard.

[Tim13]

Looks like its possibly from another state, the white lines on the bottom third of the placard have a hole punched in each line, which might indicate the expiration date.

[Texaswheelz]

I've never had one with an expiration date...not all states have em.

[ohio4282]

I just got back from a trip with my boyfriend, and being AB, I'll admit, there is a lot I can't possibly understand. But, while traveling, we rented a cat with Colorado tags, and his placard is from Ohio. When visiting a park in AZ, we parked, and I got out first. A couple in a car pulled up behind us, and when I got out, the woman, who had a broken foot, rolled down her window and started screaming at me about parking in handicap spaces without needing to. She continued and threatened to contact the park security, until my bf pulled his chair out of the back, transferred himself from the car and asked what the problem was. Meanwhile, I was just standing there dumbfounded. I was actually afraid to get out of the car before him for the rest of the trip.

I guess my point is, that you can't really know unless you know how they differ from state to state and it is probably a good idea to have these things standard from state to state. And while I can't know from first hand experience, I've been with my bf plenty of times when he can't find a place to park, and has to end up parking far away from where we are going because there are no available spaces.

This post has been edited by ohio4282: 02 July 2009 - 01:50 AM

[Yasko]

Tim13, on Jul 1 2009, 03:25 PM, said:

Looks like its possibly from another state, the white lines on the bottom third of the placard have a hole punched in each line, which might indicate the expiration date.

Yes, you are correct, those holes are pointing to the expiration date (Month and Year). State of Washington Disabled Parking card is like that one on the top!

[CollegeGirl]

Sorry buddy, it looks legit to me, but then again I'm the AB in the relationship so maybe I don't know best

[BenjaminLucas]

I see no pictures?

[Beautiful]

Hehe. I live in Washington, and the one I have looks like that top one

This post has been edited by Beautiful: 04 July 2009 - 04:46 AM

[Pepita]

wheeliebear75, on Jul 1 2009, 06:36 AM, said:

My Mom took this pic with her camera phone at the fair. Looks fake to all of us. (us being myself & family)




I live in California & here is what a valid CA disabled placard should look. (I used the one that expired today a.k.a. last cycle they're given out every 2 yrs)




I'll see if & what the rest of you notice odd about the top one.......then I'll post what we noticed.

I think the issue is the punch card at the bottom. However, Texas has had punch type cards in the past. I've had perm. plates for a while, so I don't know what they have now. The placards are ok to use from state to state aren't they?

[Rotarymotion]

Wow ! I'm in England and was amazed to read in this post that you have different disabled parking badges in different states. Are they only valid in the state of issue? Goodness me, you all live in the same country.

Here in England, Scotland, Wales, and all the other countries of the United Kingdom we have only one style of badge. In fact I think all the countries in Europe (at least in the EEC) have the same badge. Certainly mine says it is valid throughout Europe.

If I visit the USA and hire a car, how does one get a disabled parking badge/permit, and is a different one required for each state that you visit?

[Texaswheelz]

Yes these are state issues placards because each state has it's own vehicle licensing department, each state taxes and inspects vehicles registered in that state differently. As far as I know the placards from one state work just fine in another, the same as if you drive from one to another, you don't have to get a new license plate. But to be honest, I don't see cops checking out the ones from their own state, so I don't see them taking the time out to check them from another state. I'm sure I could make one on blue paper with white stickers and hang it in my window and no one would care other then some old lady or some fat ass that would be upset I was parked in "their" spot.

As for the permanent license plate, I would check with your state on that. I recently asked about them in Oklahoma (where my cars are registered because tag tax is cheaper and there is no yearly inspection), and to get the plate you first have to have the placard and while the plates are for the disabled, even with them and not the placard you could legally be fined or towed. I asked what exactly the point of them was then and they didn't know.

[twisted_ophelia]

Rotarymotion, on Jul 18 2009, 03:33 PM, said:

Wow ! I'm in England and was amazed to read in this post that you have different disabled parking badges in different states. Are they only valid in the state of issue? Goodness me, you all live in the same country.

Here in England, Scotland, Wales, and all the other countries of the United Kingdom we have only one style of badge. In fact I think all the countries in Europe (at least in the EEC) have the same badge. Certainly mine says it is valid throughout Europe.

If I visit the USA and hire a car, how does one get a disabled parking badge/permit, and is a different one required for each state that you visit?

Not sure about UK cards but I use my Canadian permit in the USA all the time and have never had an issue.

[Spike8968]

As an AB helper to a dear friend who is paraplegic, I often am dismayed to see people using Accessible parking spaces with no apparent disability - even seen people run from/to their cars! I realize that not all disabilities are visible, and that some folks have issues unrelated to mobility. My question is though, since when did having an ass the size of a Volkswagen count as a disability? I put up with the frowns and glares all the time when I get out of the car before assisting my friend, some folks even come up to me and start blabbering about my taking an Accessible spot - I just smile and tell them that if it was any of their f*@king business I'd be sure and clue them in. They always look pretty sheepish as I go 'round and get the wc out of the car. IMO there should be spaces specifically designated for folks with wheelchairs closest, then other spaces for non-mobility issues.

[TextualFury]

Spike8968, on Apr 17 2010, 07:44 PM, said:

As an since when did having an ass the size of a Volkswagen count as a disability?

Check the fat hatred out! Wow.

1. Weight can be an indicator of ILLNESS.
2. When it's hard to move exercise is difficult and for some of us out of the question.
3. This is ableist of you as well. You may help your friend but you obviously have no grasp of what it is to be a person with a disability. Anyone over weight and disabled gets this sort of treatment all the time.

I am not thin anymore, because I am not supposed to move much at all lest I finish severing my spinal cord. I move more than I should but constant stillness has added weight. Not only that but this has NOTHING to do with a parking placard. Maybe doctors should evaluate who needs them. I agree there is plenty of placard abuse. I do not agree that this is an excuse to persecute people with invisible disability.

[Snakeye]

True, not an "all or nothing" proposition. Although many folks are overweight due to illness, others are ill because they are overweight.... Irregardless, healthy folks, thin or fat, should not use handicapped parking spaces nor in-store motorized carts. But they do. Shame on them. We live in a selfish world nowadays...

[Hapahowlee]

Looks legit to me too. I've had permits from 2 states ~ Missouri and Arizona and they differ in looks. Both had an expiration date. The one in Arizona is good for 2 years.

Even if the car had California plates, the permit might be from a different state. When we go on vacation where we fly and rent a car, I take our parking permit with us. Once it got stolen in Florida when I wasn't even using it. It was stuck down in between the seats while my step daughter and I went into a Walgreens to pick up a few things. We were only in the store a little over 5 minutes.

[TextualFury]

Some are ill and thin, some are fat and healthy. This complaint about people's weight shouldn't be included with in the complaint because it's bigotry. I still get dirty looks for using parking when I am in a chair, and usually the tirade is about my being a "fat ass". It goes further too that the media does this but as persons with disabilities who know discrimination shouldn't we try and keep an open mind as to the need? If they have the placard then let it go.

Before my SCI I was technically disabled and was working so hard to pass for normal, I could've used the handicapped parking after walking into the store. The main reason is that by the time I was done I was so tired I could barely remember where I was parked muchless how to pay for anything and I looked normal. Even post SCI due to the malpractice, the complaint was that I merely had gotten fat. It wasn't. I was in horrid pain that outstrips the pain I am in at the moment of this writing.

I am glad you can see part of it but size should not ever be a part of an argument about someone's validity. I mean, women are taught to tell men we think size doesn't matter so why not make it true in all counts not just in the pants.

[Snakeye]

I can see your point of view...

[Spike8968]

My apologies to TextualFury, Snakeye, and the countless others whom I have offended with my post. I make no excuse for my vitriolic spew, it was entirely inappropriate. My anger was misdirected, a dear friend whom is paraplegic (and who because of her paralysis and pain meds is getting bigger) had to endure additional suffering that day because indeed, all the accessible spots were taken and we witnessed a person of size hurrying to his car. Snakeye you said it succintly and more accurately - healthy persons should not take accessible spaces from those who need them.

"It takes a powerful man to judge another. I am not so mighty" - Stephen R. Donaldson.

[Snakeye]

Spike8968, on May 11 2010, 10:33 PM, said:

My apologies to TextualFury, Snakeye, and the countless others whom I have offended with my post. I make no excuse for my vitriolic spew, it was entirely inappropriate. My anger was misdirected, a dear friend whom is paraplegic (and who because of her paralysis and pain meds is getting bigger) had to endure additional suffering that day because indeed, all the accessible spots were taken and we witnessed a person of size hurrying to his car. Snakeye you said it succintly and more accurately - healthy persons should not take accessible spaces from those who need them.

"It takes a powerful man to judge another. I am not so mighty" - Stephen R. Donaldson.

No offence taken on my part....

[TextualFury]

I am far from offended but merely pointing out a fact. Also if the person was hurrying they may have had limited energy with in to act. Plenty of parking violators are blatant, because of their lack of caring for others. I am sorry your friend is in increasing pain, hopefully things get better. The paraspread is something that is beyond annoying and can be disheartening.

[Jade Alexander]

Yep It's Washington State..My friend has one just like it..
But speaking of parking imposters..Here is something that irked me.. My dad had a disabled parking tag from Wisconsin due to limited walking as a result of diabetes.. He passed away a few months ago and gave his ex wife (not my mom) his car before he passed away.. She took the car the day of his funeral along with the disabled parking tag and she won't give the tag back even after both me, my mom and aunt, asked for it so we can return it to the DMV. She said she might need it since her son suffers from mental illness (he can walk fine..he's schizophrenic)..It's good until 2014. Is that legal to use someone elses disabled parking tag? My mom has called her and now won't return her calls.. So I don't know if we should let it go or report to the DMV.. Any advice on this?

[TextualFury]

I am sorry for your loss! Truly, her being this way is bound to make this harder. It is not legal for her to do this and you should call your DMV to report it.

[DannyR]

I have seen a home improvement work truck parked across 2 handicapped spots probably no ther reason than they were in a hurry and the spots were open. As I was going into the store a cop drove by I yelled and pointed to the truck, he looked then continued on and stopped at the Godfathers Pizza next door and went in. The problem is they don't care. There is the problem. I realise that everyones problem isn't out there for all to see , my Mom had a bad heart and couldn't walk long distances but on her good days everything would look normal. The work truck had no placard and the cop did not care...hungry I guess.

[Snakeye]

The worse problem we have in my neck of the woods involves young healthy folks who borrow grandma's handicap placard or vehicle with handicap tags and visit Walmart or whatever where naturally they park in the handicap slots. sure wouldn't want these spoiled brats to have to walk an extra 50 feet...I wish the cops would enforce the law instead of spending all their time at Dunkin Doughnuts........hopefully this post doesn't offend all the spoiled brats and doughnut-eating cops of the world...