Aging in Place: Should Decatur Provide More Close-Proximity Handicap Parking?
Decatur Metro | April 19, 2011After a recent parking discussion, Deanne wrote in with this new twist on an old discussion…
Another parking angle to consider: how walkability impacts our physically challenged residents.
I met a neighbor while out petitions-canvassing the other day who said that while she wishes the best for all of us, it’s becoming harder and harder for her to participate in Decatur life because she’s not able to walk the distance from a parking garage to get to her favorite downtown spots. Doesn’t it seem like we might want to ensure that more of the downtown parking spots are handicapped ones? We often discuss aging in place, but physical limitations outside the home need to be considered too.
I can’t recall if the 2009 Parking Study addresses handicap spots – and the study’s been AWOL since the city’s site redesign – but my never-reliable casual observation is that handicap parking on the Square is used about half the time (I walk by). But unlike the more mobile among us who can easily utilize a nearby parking deck-alternative, a taken handicap spot could mean the difference between an afternoon on the Square and an afternoon at home.
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Agree that more handicapped spots should be available but also more transportation alternatives for the handicapped or elderly to get around, e.g. van services, carpools, neighbors. Even driving is hard for some. I just learned of a relatively new concept for “aging in place” that offers an alternative to continuing care communities (regular non-assisted living, e.g. villas or apartments + assisted living when needed + nursing home care when needed) that take up a lot of space (so probably won’t work in Decatur) and segregate off the elderly from the rest of the community (my parents are fine with this but I don’t think I will be). The new movement is called “village living”. The Village to Village Network is a great resource:
http://vtvnetwork.clubexpress.com/: “Villages are membership-driven, grass-roots organizations that, through both volunteers and paid staff, coordinate access to affordable services including transportation, health and wellness programs, home repairs, social and educational activities, and other day-to-day needs enabling individuals to remain connected to their community throughout the aging process.”
The “VtoV” concept seems like a good fit for Decatur. The only “village” in Georgia so far is in Athens.
This is a math problem posed as a political riddle.
How many handicapped stickers are there in the Decatur area? What percentage of such stickers are generally in use at any one time?
You want enough handicapped spaces to be full about half the time, but not much less. It’s a balancing act. One you can solve with math. Math works. Math is good. Do not let your kids fall asleep in statistics class or they’ll miss the good stuff.
Re paying attention in statistics class: Don’t worry. Currently you have to teach your child the math yourself because the state and CSD “inquiry-based” instruction which sounds like a great idea if teachers and parents were trained in it. But right now it’s about helping your child google the answers desperately, find a friend whose parent teaches math, and/or hire a tutor.
Re paying attention in statistics class: Don’t worry. Currently you have to teach your child math yourself anyway because the state and CSD use “inquiry-based” instruction which sounds like a great idea if teachers and parents were trained in it. Instead, it’s about helping your child google the answers desperately, find a friend whose parent teaches math, and/or hire a tutor.
As an aside – top tips for inquiry based learning (as someone who has attended many conferences and workshops on the technique):
Good training of teachers is definitely needed, good information and communication with students is a must, convincing students to ditch the flashcards and the memorization and the color coded study notes is key, and getting students to really switch on their brains and start thinking deeply and trying to understand what everything means is essential!!!! Parents/students googling answers (or asking tutors for answers) that the students can then put on flash cards and in color coded notes completely negates and undermines the whole process and will probably lead to much frustration on all sides and zero learning of math.
Agree and the students are trying to cope while we wait for the necessary training of teachers and students in inquiry-based methods.
Good point. I think it’s also a political issue, because Decatur wants to be a place that provides transportation alternatives as well as caters to “aging in place”. We hear a lot about seniors living downtown and walking to grocery stores, etc, but I’ve never heard much talk about handicap parking. I wonder if that’s because it doesn’t fit the double-bill of aging in place and fewer cars on the road?
In this scenario, one has to decide which is more important.
Providing more opportunities for driving seniors or sticking to the “make it harder for people to drive by themselves and easier for people to walk/bike/take transit”. It’s an interesting one.
Could you, in effect, create fewer parking spaces around the Square by making more of them handicap parking? Would that fit the “double-bill”?
DM- Why, by focusing on reducing overall car traffic while expanding parking accessibility for those who truly need it downtown, the City hits a “triple-bill” win! What better than to be known as the #1 place for walkability& biking, aging in place, and being ADA friendly?
(As far as the “political” part goes- Reducing regular parking spaces for such a meaningful reason sure seems like a gift on a platter if the City’s wanting to do it anyway!)
Don’t forget that most Decatur businesses are opposed to any further limitations on parking. I’m not saying they’d oppose more handicap spots but generally speaking they’re wary of fewer spots.
As the child of a father who has been severely handicapped since the age of 17, I have seen firsthand how poor access planning can affect the daily lives of the physically challenged.
On the plus side, legislation and policies over the past few decades to increase accessibility have significantly improved the ability for my dad to get around. His scooter can go almost anywhere, and that has resulted in a greater willingness to leave the house.
Mrs. Token and I, both in our 40’s, want to stay in Decatur as long as we can, which means an aging-in-place strategy is important to us. But we understand the balance between limited space and handicapped parking availability, and I agree with Dana that a mathematical approach (with periodic adjustment given the demographic changes Decatur will experience) would seem to offer the best chance for a solution.
I’m so glad this subject has come up! Because of recent foot problems, I too encountered this issue. The first hurdle was the parking map of Decatur – the handicapped spots are not marked. I emailed the city to inquire (looking for handicapped spaces closer in) and was told all the parking decks had handicapped spaces. Sadly, that meant staying home for me, for exactly the reason stated above. I know of only one handicapped space on the “U” on the square and it’s often taken. It’s wonderful that we live in a ‘walking city’… until you can’t walk. And then, it’s a barrier. I’d love a few more designated spaces, and a better marked map!
I’m glad that Deanne raised this issue. Parking (of any kind) that is close to businesses is critical to creating an inclusive community — one that supports aging in place and the full participation of Decaturites with disabilities. I’d like to see physical mobility issues get at least half the attention that bicycling gets in Decatur.
My 84YO mother lives within walking distance of the Square — but she can’t walk more than a block or two, so she can’t really enjoy most downtown Decatur amenities without driving even a short distance. Right now, she gets to many places near her apartment only the 2-3 times a year when I’m in town and can drop her at the door and the park a few doors — or blocks — away, and come back to meet her. It makes no sense to sacrifice ALL parking to the relative few with handicapped stickers — but it would be nice if she had a fair chance of finding a space near the restaurants and shops she finds appealing.
Oh wow! Thanks for opening up this conversation!
How about we start with the easiest to do fix: designate additional “handicap” parking spaces after 6pm and on weekends when there’s free & plentiful parking available. (Use those bag thingies.) Surely no able bodied person is going to be uncool enough to complain about a two block walk!
(Well, parents with a couple of tykes in tow might have a legit gripe. Heck, set aside some spaces for them too!)
aanh. Started strong, then veered toward the ditch.
Love the idea of bagging meters to create additional handicap spaces during any time that parking is free and plentiful. If we’re serious about active living, then all of us who can walk a few blocks should do so without complaint. I guarantee you that pretty much anybody who qualifies for a handicap parking permit would gleefully trade it for the ability to walk across town. And what’s wrong with teaching little kids that walking is good? I’m OK with a few designated Pregnant Lady parking spaces here and there, but let’s not get carried away. (I know I’m liable to get a box of dry Fruit Loops dumped on my head, but that’s how I feel.)
Awww now! Just feelin’ for the mom or dad who might have a toddler & baby in tow– especially if the kiddo’s set on slowpoke speed! (And looking out for the businesses that might be impacted most from a reduction in parking spaces.) Gotta keep Decatur’s families shopping & dining out!
Fruit Loops in Decatur! Gasp! Not unless they make a gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, preservative free, hormone free, grass fed, organic version.
I wouldn’t be militantly opposed to spots for pregnant moms, but it doesn’t seem really completely necessary either.
The other spots, I have absolutely no problem with.
If there is plenty of free parking after 6, why do we need to designate more reserved parking spaces. Can’t the elderly and HC use the non-designated spaces?
Good question, and the answer is, not always. Some handicapped people need these large spaces to have room to get out their conveyances (wheelchairs, scooters, armoured cars, etc.).
And many of the free spaces in Decatur require a substantial walk to a destination.
The free & plentiful parking is in the county’s parking garage. An easy enough walk for the majority of us. Quite a struggle for many of our limited mobility friends. Isn’t it wonderful to think that by simply converting additional spaces, we’d open up opportunities for others to enjoy Decatur fully too?
Decatur’s Token Republican- It’s cool to read how your son’s scooter has really enhanced his life! Would setting aside parallel parking spots help out with the equipment factor? What are some other options the City could consider?
By the by, I asked Lyn Menne if the city had looked at its handicapped parking lately and she said that they hadn’t recently but that the new parking manager “is currently assessing our on-street parking program.”
That’s terrific to hear! Perfect timing!
Decatur’s Token Republican- I’m mortified that my brain processed your first comment as saying that your son is able to get around on the scooter. It’s a blessing that your Dad has benefited from his scooter. I’d like to think there are ways as a community that we can help to enhance your son’s life too.
Thanks, Deanne. My son’s only handicap is having me as a father.
Geez louise!The allergy meds have whacked out my ability to read & think! Must hibernate until sneezin’ season passes!
As far as your son goes, I bet he’s mighty proud that you’re his dad!
I wish those cool golf cart things would start up soon. We avoid downtown Decatur when my fabulous shoes prohibit me from walking more than 2 blocks. what about a Valet service for charity? Maybe the charity can rotate weekly….
I’m not sure how practical this is for the audience, but it would provide some of the best parking options available on the square. Electric and it’s fun too.
[img]http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/142/1/AAAAAnlON7sAAAAAAUIUlw.jpg?v=1220409468000[/img]
We need shopmobility!
http://www.shopmobilityuk.org/UsingShopmobility.asp
Yes, this looks great! And it could easily be part of the aging-in-place “village” concept which would offer a menu of options.