Disabled Woman Claims Parking Meters Are Too Tall

[Jesus Malverde]

It is an issue for a local woman in a wheelchair, but could be an issue for city taxpayers in general depending on how a federal lawsuit over the height of controls at city parking kiosks is resolved in court.

Operating the kiosk and reading the screen is an issue for Debra Stemmler.

Current guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act require the controls to be no higher than 48 inches above the ground.

We checked a number of kiosks and found that the top of the keyboard was at 48 inches, but the final green “confirm” button was 52 inches high.

Read More: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/05/09/disabled-woman-claims-parking-meters-are-too-tall/

[Xipe Totec]

1. Issue her a special permit that dispenses with feeding the parking meter and be done

I hope they are not contemplating adjusting the height of the meters.

[MineralMan]

2. While that might solve her problem, it won't bring the devices

into ADA compliance, there there are many people confined to wheelchairs. Now, if it were up to me, I'd exempt everyone with a handicapped placard from all parking meter fees. That would also solve the problem.

But, this person is not the only one affected by the height of controls at parking kiosks. Apparently, the installer of them didn't follow the ADA guidelines. That will need to be corrected. The height needs to be adjusted, to accommodate all drivers, including those with physical disabilities.

Sorry.

[tblue37]

3. In our city a handicap tag = no parking meter,

as long as you park in a designated handicapped stall. That works well, if you can find one, but often I can't find one because there are not many available.

[MineralMan]

5. As I said, I'd be in favor of free parking in any space for all people

with handicapped placards. Problem solved.

In fact, I think that should be the law everywhere.

[tblue37]

8. That would certainly improve my situation. nt

[MineralMan]

10. They should do that. Accommodating people

in that way would cost very little in lost parking fees, but would simplify life for people with physical disabilities a great deal. I see no possible argument against free parking for people with placards. If the placard is displayed, no ticketing. So simple a solution.

Sometimes people behave in moronic ways and do not use simple logic.

[dipsydoodle]

7. That's the way to do it.

[Xipe Totec]

4. I disagree. It's a matter of accommodation

We already issue handicap parking permits to accommodate people with disabilities. It would be far easier and far less expensive to allow people with those permits to be exempt from feeding the meters than it would be to saw off each and every parking meter to adjust the height.

No harm, no foul.

[MineralMan]

6. That was my suggestion, as well.

However, that is not the case. Unless it becomes the law, the ADA requirements must be adhered to. That should have happened when the kiosks were installed. Apparently, it was not in this case, which puts that person and anyone else confined to a wheelchair at a very serious disadvantage. Accommodation of physical disabilities is the law.

Now, if that jurisdiction did not require people with physical disabilities to feed the meter, this lawsuit and the potential for a requirement that the devices be changed would not exist. However, since this person and others are required to pay for parking, it is a justifiable lawsuit, and the jurisdiction may well be forced to lower the equipment.

My understanding is that this is not an individual parking meter, but a kiosk where people pay for parking. We have those in Minneapolis throughout the downtown area. Individual parking meters are designed to be within the ADA requirements. Go measure one.

[politicat]

9. The old coin op parking meters aren't the problem.

It's the kiosk that issues the parking pass doesn't comply. It sounds like the city put them on an extra plinth because the standard manufacture of the kiosks has them in compliance. (At least, the various models in Denver & Boulder are well in compliance. Ii haven't driven in enough other cities to notice.)

[Xipe Totec]

13. Well, that's different. I see the problem now. nt

[HockeyMom]

11. Filling up at gas station

I can barely reach the key pads on the pumps. I have to stand up on their ledge. Since I an a little over 5 feet, I suppose women under 5 feet have to do the same. It is very annoying. What if I trip?

[Dr Hobbitstein]

12. I'm a 5'3" male...

And every pump I've ever pulled up to since I could drive (1996) has been at pretty much eye level (with the highest just above eye level, but still well in reach). From Florida to Georgia to Texas (and back to Florida), it's all been the same...

They make crazy tall pumps up north?

[Spirochete]

14. Sounds like a job for