Woof Woof, I’m a Dog

Parking Placards for Persons With Disabilities
Effective November 1, 2001
A parking placard and/or disabled license plate enables those with the greatest needs to use specially designated parking facilities. The placards are issued to individuals who provide proof of eligibility under this program. An applicant requesting plates must either have the vehicle(s) registered in the name of the person with the disability or be a joint owner on the vehicle registration.
To apply for a placard, an application form (pdf): must be completed by your physician, physiotherapist or occupational therapist and submitted to a registry agent office.
To qualify, an individual must be unable to walk more than 50 metres.
There are three types of placards:
·       Blue placards, which can be issued to those with long-term disabilities and are valid for five years
·       Blue placards, which can be issued to those with Permanent disabilities that can be self-declared every five years without the medical personnel signature
·       Red placards, which can be issued to those with disabilities that are temporary in nature, but will affect them for a period of three to twelve months (Note: A visitor in need may use their valid (non-expired) parking placard from their home jurisdiction during their vacation or visit to Alberta.)
A visitor in need, without an existing placard, may apply for a temporary red placard for the duration of their visit. Visitors will be considered for a parking placard and should contact a registry agent for more information.
Additional information and program highlights are available on the Alberta Transportation website.
There is no other consideration. I click on the “Alberta Transportation” link at the bottom and I’m taken to the Alberta Piemier’s Counsel’s, website, some kind of committee that filters disabled peoples issues in Alberta.
The problem is I am “disabled” and I can walk more than 150ft, the issue being safety. For me its always safety first. Yes I can jump that high, like a dog, or like sideshow Bob at the circus. I can perform. But I’m still disabled and I’m still not safe, and I can’t use the “disabled” parking spots. Walking in a parking lot for me is like playing Russian roulette with a fully loaded gun and only one missing bullet. I feel like I take my life in my hands every time. Where is the target sidewalk, where are the cars, where are the lanes, is there snow, water puddles, etc. etc.. Its dangerous. Even if I’m with a sighted guide its still dangerous as sighted people have a different tolerance for ambiguity and safety.
I get frustrated with Albertan’s they feel entitled to measure you, evaluate you, determine on the fly if your disabled or not and what accommodation they feel like providing for you, basically none. Albertan’s also appear to be apathetic if they don’t have to do something they wont. Chivalry is dead here I have ladies offering me their seats on the bus but never a male. Men won’t give up their seats for ladies, the elderly, mothers or the disabled. In Alberta I’m not a blind man I’m a waco wearing weird safety glasses carrying around an odd gulf club.
The burden of proof is on me. Just because I can do a thing means I can always do that thing. The frustration I receive in Alberta when I say that this time I can’t or to do this thing all the time I need this thing is amazing. Just because I can do it once the case is closed. So if I can bark like a dog I’m a dog, in Alberta that is.