Handicapped Worker

[Skywalker]

I have had thoughts similar to the co-worker. I once saw someone park in the only handicapped spot in front of a bank, while there were other regular spots just as close still open. I remember thinking, if that person only took the regular spot, at no further a walk, it would have left the handicapped spot open for someone else who needed it as the regular parking spots filled up. (Since the regular spots fills up far quicker and the handicapped spots are far fewer.) Had that guy taken a regular spot that was really no further than the handicapped spot, the only precious handicapped spot would have been available for the next person. I mean, just because you are entitled to a handicapped space doesn't mean you HAVE TO use it if there is another close spot available. I try to think ahead of how my actions will affect others.

 

[momz]

For those wondering why a person that appears well is using a handicapped space, you should thank your lucky stars that you don't have to. I would be willing to trade places with you for a day.

I am one of "those" people. I have a neurological disability. I can drive just fine, but I can't walk in a straight line to save my life. My balance is just awful and I am very fearful of falling. I have trouble negotiating how to walk when in a crowd especially. But, to see me get in and out of my car, you wouldn't know this.

So, you'll just have to deal with it. Compared to what I deal with every day, you worrying over my parking space is nothing.

Oh, and guess what? I have a job and I park in the handicapped space <gasp>.

 

[CarolAnn856]

I have had thoughts similar to the co-worker. I once saw someone park in the only handicapped spot in front of a bank, while there were other regular spots just as close still open. I remember thinking, if that person only took the regular spot, at no further a walk, it would have left the handicapped spot open for someone else who needed it as the regular parking spots filled up. (Since the regular spots fills up far quicker and the handicapped spots are far fewer.) Had that guy taken a regular spot that was really no further than the handicapped spot, the only precious handicapped spot would have been available for the next person. I mean, just because you are entitled to a handicapped space doesn't mean you HAVE TO use it if there is another close spot available. I try to think ahead of how my actions will affect others.

While I agree with you, if the OP's Walmart is anything like the ones around here, the parking spaces for people with disabilities are definitely the closest spots. There are no regular spaces that would be as close as the designated spaces.

 

[gotomu212]

View attachment 272980

Friend of mine posted this to Facebook today. I should mention she has but one leg.

One of the BEST overheard conversations of my life-
Scene Jack in the Box parking lot, 1:30 am, after a concert (who doesn't need an Oreo shake when they've over indulged a little?)
-Car pulls up with younger guy into handicapped spot, has a handicapped license plate
-Young 20ish guy standing a few spots over yells in a really aggressive-we're gonna fight-voice "Yo (insert bad word), are you handicap-able?
-guy in the car "yeah (other bad word) I am, I lost part of my leg in Afghanistan"
-first guy (confused voice) "wait really?"
-guy in car "yeah really. Maybe think before you start yelling crap at people"
-first guy "sorry brah you are totally right. Can I buy you some curly fries?"

I found the whole exchange hilarious as I stood by our car with my husband yelling at me to stop staring and laughing!

 

[keri125]

I don't see a problem as long as she has a legitimate disability and has the permit.

Keep in mind that handicapped spaces are not only close to an entrance, but they are wider than regular spaces. Some people with limited mobility may need the additional room to maneuver while getting in and out of their car, which could be difficult with another car parked close to them. There are actually two types of handicapped spaces: regular handicapped accessible and van accessible. Both have an adjacent striped access lane, but the van accessible ones are extra wide to allow use of a wheelchair lift. So someone who is handicapped but doesn't use a van and wheelchair should leave those spaces for those who truly need them (if there is another regular handicapped spot they can use).

I have had thoughts similar to the co-worker. I once saw someone park in the only handicapped spot in front of a bank, while there were other regular spots just as close still open. I remember thinking, if that person only took the regular spot, at no further a walk, it would have left the handicapped spot open for someone else who needed it as the regular parking spots filled up. (Since the regular spots fills up far quicker and the handicapped spots are far fewer.) Had that guy taken a regular spot that was really no further than the handicapped spot, the only precious handicapped spot would have been available for the next person. I mean, just because you are entitled to a handicapped space doesn't mean you HAVE TO use it if there is another close spot available. I try to think ahead of how my actions will affect others.

Please see the quote above you. Handicapped spaces are wider for easier maneuvering in and out of the vehicle. I do not have a disability and cannot tell you how many times I have parked in a spot only to have a HUGE truck pull up so close to me that I have to squeeze in and out. For someone with a mobility issue they may not be able to do that, so parking in a handicapped spot is best for them. There may not be anybody parked next to you when you arrive, but I can almost guarantee there will be a massive vehicle parked next to you when you come out! LOL Having the ability to park in a handicapped space means the odds of this happening are slim.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Please see the quote above you. Handicapped spaces are wider for easier maneuvering in and out of the vehicle. I do not have a disability and cannot tell you how many times I have parked in a spot only to have a HUGE truck pull up so close to me that I have to squeeze in and out. For someone with a mobility issue they may not be able to do that, so parking in a handicapped spot is best for them. There may not be anybody parked next to you when you arrive, but I can almost guarantee there will be a massive vehicle parked next to you when you come out! LOL Having the ability to park in a handicapped space means the odds of this happening are slim.

Thank you Keri, for reiterating my point. I have a friend with a back injury. He has difficulty walking, and sometimes uses a cane. He is also quite tall. When getting out of a car, he has trouble swinging his legs to the side and then standing up. Same thing in reverse getting in. It's often a long and painful process and he needs the car door open all the way to have the most space (and also not hit another vehicle with the door). If he parked in a regular spot, as you say, there could be a huge truck or SUV in the next spot and he'd be trapped. Some parking lots around here have very narrow spots.

I think those of us that are healthy often take things for granted, not realizing the struggles disabled people live with on a daily basis. Again, it's really not right to question anyone parking in these spaces. If they have the permit, there's a reason for it, even if it's not obvious to you.

 

[Disney Doll]

If she has a handicapped tag she can park in a handicapped spot. Simple as that.

 

[because]

I have had thoughts similar to the co-worker. I once saw someone park in the only handicapped spot in front of a bank, while there were other regular spots just as close still open. I remember thinking, if that person only took the regular spot, at no further a walk, it would have left the handicapped spot open for someone else who needed it as the regular parking spots filled up. (Since the regular spots fills up far quicker and the handicapped spots are far fewer.) Had that guy taken a regular spot that was really no further than the handicapped spot, the only precious handicapped spot would have been available for the next person. I mean, just because you are entitled to a handicapped space doesn't mean you HAVE TO use it if there is another close spot available. I try to think ahead of how my actions will affect others.

Except if you would need the cutout in the sidewalk by the handicap spots. Some people cannot step up on a curb. There are so many reasons someone might need the handicap spot, second guessing anyone using one is despicable.

 

[sapdaddy2]

Just a followup the next day at lunch took up most of the 1/2 hour break discussing this. My fellow co workers agreed with me and you folks that she has a tag and it is her spot. The co worker that was with me at the store still argues that it is bad customer service and the Walmart worker should take the closest regular spot.

 

[Pooh2]

It had never occurred to me that the handicapp employees at Walmart are using the spaces up front but that makes sense. I have an H placard but never use the H spaces at Walmart because they are ALWAYS full no matter what time of day I go.

 

[keri125]

The co worker that was with me at the store still argues that it is bad customer service and the Walmart worker should take the closest regular spot.

Your co-worker needs a lesson in empathy.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

I have seen many awful conversations and things on the internet this is one of the worse.

 

[sasywtch]

At my old place of employment, we had 10 visitor spaces up front that employees could not park in (we were a government agency so lots of employees, little amount of visitors). There are no handicap spaces in the visitor parking lot but they are lined up close by at the building with the appropriate ramps. These spots are closest to the building and not one employer in California would ever tell their employees with placards that they had to park further away and not in any handicap spot they wanted.

 

[Kaytie]

I'm confused?? A hidden disability handicap eligible person involves something like a heart or respiratory problem that prevents them walking far without stopping. It's not immediately obvious that they have a mobility issue because you can't see their heart/lungs like you could see a limb issue. Invisible disabilities are at least half of all placard issued.

A heart condition is a pretty "invisible" condition. Epilepsy as well. There are many conditions people may have that are not apparent at a glance.

You all are right, as is the poster I missed quoting. Mea culpa.

 

[aprilgail]

Just a followup the next day at lunch took up most of the 1/2 hour break discussing this. My fellow co workers agreed with me and you folks that she has a tag and it is her spot. The co worker that was with me at the store still argues that it is bad customer service and the Walmart worker should take the closest regular spot.

My neighbor agrees with your co-worker-- she needs the handicap spot and when she goes to our local supermarket there are 4 spots- 2 are taken up every single time by 2 workers there. She actually did make a complaint at the store since they take those spots for the entire day and the manager did agree with her but said he could suggest employees park on the side of the store but he could not make them.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

My neighbor agrees with your co-worker-- she needs the handicap spot and when she goes to our local supermarket there are 4 spots- 2 are taken up every single time by 2 workers there. She actually did make a complaint at the store since they take those spots for the entire day and the manager did agree with her but said he could suggest employees park on the side of the store but he could not make them.

That's the markets fault then. If they have workers that need those spots and there's not enough for customers then they need to put in more spots. It's one thing for some random clueless person to take issue with a worker using that spot but it's a different level of awful IMO for a disabled person to have a problem with another disabled person using that spot.

 

[keri125]

I have seen many awful conversations and things on the internet this is one of the worse.

Agreed.

My neighbor agrees with your co-worker-- she needs the handicap spot and when she goes to our local supermarket there are 4 spots- 2 are taken up every single time by 2 workers there. She actually did make a complaint at the store since they take those spots for the entire day and the manager did agree with her but said he could suggest employees park on the side of the store but he could not make them.

Ok, at first this conversation was just a 'huh, that's interesting that someone might think that' type of conversation for me, but now I am just getting angry. I am actually an employment specialist and my job entails working with people referred over from vocational rehabilitation to help them find jobs. It is INCREDIBLY difficult to find employers who are willing to work with people with disabilities, especially in the mid-sized town I work in. Does your neighbor work? If she does, she must have an incredibly understanding employer who has established her own personal handicapped spot, or she would understand what it is like to try to work with a disability. I cannot believe she complained to the employer because 2 out of the 4 spots were taken. I have a difficult time believing that every single time she has gone there all four spots are taken - so on average I would bet that she was still able to park in a handicapped spot. There are two people who have a disability working for that company - contributing to society, paying income taxes, taking ownership of their own self-esteem... and that employer should quite honestly be praised for hiring people with disabilities, not shamed because he did so. He should have NEVER have felt he had to defend himself against this awful person. What an incredible sense of entitlement your neighbor has. *stepping away from the computer to practice some breathing exercises in order to calm down* LOL

 

[smiths02]

Your co-worker needs a lesson in empathy.

Also needs a lesson in the law.

Everyone discussing workplace "policy" does as well. It does not matter what Walmart's policy is on employee parking. If the person needs to park in the "handicapped" parking and has a legitimate tag, then Walmart would have to allow that. Section 504 applies to the workplace as well.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Isn't it great a handicapped person is working!!!!