Mums' disability parking victory

June 30, 2010

30 Jun 10 @ 09:00am by Tim

CARERS of children with autism and other intellectual disabilities have won the

right to apply for disability parking permits thanks to a campaign by two

northeast mums.

Helen Howson, of Modbury North, and Dix, of Banksia Park who between

them have three autistic boys successfully lobbied the Federal Government to

have non-physical disabilities recognised in a new Australian Disability Parking

Scheme.

Mrs Howson and Mrs Dix last year launched a public campaign through the

aifLeader Messenger aif, saying they couldn't take their children shopping or on

social outings because the kids became badly distressed during the search for a

park and were liable to run dangerously in front of cars.

Announced this month, the new permits can be issued for people with

" significant " medical conditions or disabilities which " sometimes requires the

physical assistance of another person (to walk) and limits your access to the

community " .

The state Transport Department, which administers permits in SA and has

recognised only physical disabilities, will now draw up " hardship " criteria

allowing a broader range of disabilities to be eligible.

Mrs Howson said the national scheme, set to replace 100 different schemes across

the country with a guarantee that nobody will be worse off, was a step towards

overcoming discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities.

" Disability doesn't just mean you have a physical impairment, that you have a

walking stick or a wheelchair, " she said.

Barbaro, from disability advocacy organisation MALSSA Incm prepared a

submission for a national taskforce backing the local mums' cause. Mr Barbaro

said permits would be " life changing " for socially isolated families with

severely autistic children.

The national scheme has been referred to the Australian Transport Council for

endorsement and will be running by the end of the year.

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