AIBU to put up a no parking sign on my garden wall

[Worrysaboutalot]

As in picture. DH used to park in position 1 and I used to park my big car in position 2.

However now I have a mobility car and a wheelchair, I can’t load and unload my wheelchair on the drive, in position 2 as the drive is too steep and in bad repair.

So, I am currently parking in position 3 on the road half over our drive and half over the kerb. To offload my wheelchair onto the dropped kerb. So I can get to my ramp and the front door. DH now parks in position 2.

The issue is, if I return to my house and someone is parked in position 3, I am stuck, as I can’t half cover someone else’s drive to off load my chair onto their dropped kerb IYSWIM.

I have checked my council’s website and they don’t paint disability bays on the roads in a residential area. So that is a no go.

I understand I have no legal right to stop or ask anyone to not park in this space, but would I be unreasonable to put up a polite notice asking people to park elsewhere, so I can unload my wheelchair?

Barneybobo I am glad you are getting the help and support you need. Now everything is in place, you can relax and get on with things that matter to you. (((hugs)))

To be honest I have got past the postcode lottery lack of fairness, when it comes to allocation of aids.

We were lucky to have saved up some money. Enough that I am not house bound and sleeping on the sofa and I am externally grateful for that luck.

However we have no saving left and that is why I am trying so hard to get a job. Which means I will likely driving home at rush hours and will need a way to park and get chair offloaded independently, especially when DH goes back to the office.

Which brings it all back to my sign. Which will be up shortly and I will report back to let you know if it works or not!

As easy as it is for me to say, and as hard as it is to actually DO..

You need to move somewhere, where WCS criteria is a little less bonkers.

Get the WAV experience www.motability.co.uk/wavexperience/

As I say, I'll be getting a citroen space tourer as i need to move self, partner, assistance dog, and two wheelchairs and possibly my elderly father who I part care for... so this will seat four people plus someone in the wheelchair as well.

I find the WCS criteria for getting a wheelchair absolutely ridiculous, I actually don't know a single chair user who CANNOT pull to stand, though some of them would just be balanced and holding themselves up and unable to take a step. The majority of wheelchair users are ambulatory users!

Not saying I don't believe you - I think its pretty universal that you can't have a power chair if you can't use the chair indoors even thats purely because your house layout doesn't work, but your need for the chair is to use it outdoors for work/education/independence in shopping, taking kids out etc... fortunately I could afford to have a friend widen a couple of doorways.

None of this though resolves the issue that your house and parking arrangement do not work for you... so I would seriously put your energies into moving, as tough as that is.

I want to look at moving when I get a job

But it would have to be local. As my parents moved to be close to me. So I would be looking for a flat driveway.

When you have the emotional energy I really think you need to contact your MP (and MSP if in Scotland). Get them on your case. Check the Equalities Act this seems like direct discrimination based on your age and disability. Check also how your local authority measure and deliver their public sector equality duty.

Also get to library and look for the directory of social change book about grants for individuals. It may not matter what your condition is, there are thousands of small grant making charities that can help. You could also do an advance search on the charity commission website (or OSCR in Scotland) for charities that give grants to individuals.

What job did you have before? There might be an associated fund. What about your husband? They might have an employees fund. What about parents - who did they work for? There's loads of different ways of being accepted by grant making charities.

With reference to the sign, I always, always park elsewhere if I see a sign like that. So it may work. Good luck.

SciFiScream

Thank you. That is a lot of information for me to work though and process, which I will do when I feel able too. I really appreciate it.

Job wise my last one was many years ago, I have been a SAHM since then. But my husbands firm seems to have charity funds they award out.

I will get down to the library when I can.

Honestly, I'd get your local MP involved.

Look at entitledto.co.uk once you have done the benefits calculation it tells you about what grants & charity payments you may be eligible for. Have you managed to claim ESA? If you manage to get any income based then you can claim a budgeting loan of up to £1500. If you get PIP you can also claim a grant for a new central heating boiler.

@underneaththeash

Honestly, I'd get your local MP involved.

Second this. I would be shocked to find my local council treated people like this. Your MP may also know people who could suggest routes back into employment with a disability.

I will talk to my local MP. I spoke to him around women's rights before and he was very positive. I plan to speak to him about how rubbish our wheelchair services are, it is not fair to have a postcode

We are not entitled to ESA or other benefits other than PIP, as we are lucky that DH works full time.

Plus this morning I have been offered an job interview, which is exciting! Everyone keep everything crossed for me.

Opps, that should read "postcode lottery"

@WorraLiberty

How about ]]

I think that sign is fine.

Speak to the disability employment advisor at your nearest Jobcentre, they can help you with anything you need to get a job including things like if where you work needs things like ramps, rise & fall desks & anything that would enable you to work, they also will pay for taxis to & from work which may be handy at first because you will be shattered & better off not driving. Employers can get part of the wages paid as well.

Just a quick update
Since putting the disabled parking sign up, noone has parked outside our house.

Our neighbours/their visitors are decent people and have clearly decided not to make things harder for me.

I am very grateful that I can go out to food shop and be pretty certain of having a clear space to park on my return.

That makes a big difference to my life.