With new parking meters, the handicapped must pay

Handicapped motorists, once the only segment of the university population immune from wallet-thinning meter fees, are quickly finding they're losing this benefit.

The Department of Transportation Services is in the midst of replacing hundreds of old-fashioned parking meters with new high-tech pay stations, which accept credit cards and text drivers when they're running low on time. Another difference of the new meters: They're a little bit shorter.

People in wheel chairs cannot reach the university's traditional meters, and thus by state mandate have been exempted from paying them, but DOTS Director David Allen said the new meters are short enough for handicapped people to reach — and pay.

The change has already hit some students with disabilities. Junior economics major Karl Willingham said he's received four parking tickets so far this semester.

Willingham received a handicap permit after injuring his knee last spring and undergoing surgery on it in July. He has used crutches for three months including the start of the semester, and said he prefers to drive when he's moving around the campus. Because of the campus' size, he says driving is the easiest way to get around.

"With my crutches it took me 30 minutes to walk what used to take me 10 to 15 minutes," said Willingham, who added that he also drives because his doctor told him unnecessary stress on his knees could cause permanent damage.

DOTS began installing the new pay stations this summer. Gay Gullickson, chair of the President's Commission on Disability Issues, said she has not heard any complaints from handicapped students about the new meters since the change in policy was instated. But she added the commission will look into the issue to see if the exemption could be continued.

Though he has not been approached by the commission, Allen said he opposes an exemption on the grounds of equal treatment for all students.

"I don't think so because folks who are disabled students, except for mobility limitations, are no different from regular students," Allen said. "So why would we [exempt them]? They're no different from everyone else."

As for Willingham, he plans to continue driving despite the tickets, but he will avoid parking at the new meters. He does not think DOTS understands the mobility issues facing some students with disabilities.

"Let's just say if I walk from one end of campus to the other I will be in pretty bad pain," Willingham said.

desmarattes at umdbk dot com