FEATURED ARTICLE
The Ugly, the Bad and the Good of accessible parking by Nick Morris
Nick Morris a former Paralympian, a Director of MGAC and is an accredited Accessibility and Universal Design expert and advisor. Nick’s status, experience and commitment has seen him become a role model within the industry, a mentor to many organisations Australia and worldwide where he is helping to foster an accessibility and Universal Design culture.
I
n my opinion there really are only two reasons for accessible parking. Simply people who use mobility aids that need to be assembled or unloaded from the side or rear, that requires more space free from
6
obstruction. And those with mobility impairments, illnesses or injuries, who need to be close to an entry or seating due to assisted mobility, fatigue, or limitation of movement, be they sensory or the like. Both sets of users benefit from being away from passing traffic. I have had three interesting experiences: vigilantism, mobility aid excursion and parking location. Firstly, as a young good looking guy (self-assessed on both fronts, I might add) I have been questioned and interrogated by people as I park in a space, that I should not be using the accessible parking space.
THE MAGAZINE FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTANTS IN ACCESS AUSTRALIA