Police in South Florida are cracking down on drivers who abuse disability parking permits and take up handicap places. A family with a disabled child recently spoke with Local 10 News about how the issue affects their daily lives.
Authorities say it’s a parking problem in South Florida. Drivers are abusing the system, stealing places away from the disabled. Earlier this year, Local 10 News reported that Miami-Dade police were cracking down on bogus disability parking permits.
Body camera footage shows Officer Waldo Almonte addressing vehicles who were using disabled parking permits that he claimed did not belong to them.
The response to our article was overwhelming. Hundreds more people responded, congratulating officers and emphasizing the need for increased enforcement. This is how we met Vilma and Jose Migenis, together with their 5-year-old son Bradley.
“it’s the unfortunate reality of what we live every day”
“So Bradley has cerebral palsy and epilepsy,” explained Vilma. “You can imagine that in regular parking, I can’t always open up my door all the way to carry him out, bring him in.”
The Migenis avoid going out as a family, particularly to the supermarket. “Nine out of 10 times you cannot find disability parking available,” Jose informed you.
For those who don’t seem to grasp, photographs on the Americans with Disabilities Act website demonstrate why Bradley and his parents require accessible parking exits.
“Just because you’re in a wheelchair you shouldn’t avoid going to the grocery store at 6 p.m. because it’s going to be impossible to find handicap,” Vilma argued. “By you taking that space away you’re taking that ability from us to be just like you.”
This family shouldn’t have to worry about finding disabled parking.
They are renovating their entire home to fulfill their family’s demands.
“If it’s accessible to us, it has to be accessible to him,” claimed Jose.
As the family works to make their home more accessible to Bradley, they are sleeping at a nearby apartment complex, which serves as a reminder of the importance of enforcement and awareness.