Unusual: Receives tickets for parking in a disabled seat and uses a wheelchair for 17 years

A woman who uses a wheelchair on a daily basis received a series of fines from park your car In a place Reserved for the disabled in front of his apartment.

Cerys Gemma, 34 years oldyou cannot park in the allotted space because a post blocks the space for your wheelchair.

This situation forced Cerys to leave her vehicle in a disabled area outside her UK beach house so she could get in and out of her car.

But the unusual thing is that he received $ 1,200 in parking tickets despite having explained his particular situation to the authorities.

parking for visitors

The management of the property told Cerys that the space is there strictly for visitors at the Prospect Place apartments in Cardiff Bay.

But Cerys, who has been using a wheelchair since suffering severe spinal injuries in a car accident when he was only 17 years oldhe replied bluntly: “This has plagued me for two years and I just can’t go on like this.

“I’m at a breaking point and I’ve had conversations with people, and I’ve said this is the end, because something has to change. I’m not willing to be kicked out of the house because I’m in a wheelchair“he argued as a reflex Mirror.

Repeated impossibility to park because there is a pillar on one side and another parking lot next to the other.

Conviction and fines

The county court ordered Cerys to pay the fines, despite trying to explain the problem to the property managers.

“Anyway it’s hard enough, and I try to be patient with people who don’t have accessible buildings. I understand it’s hard, but they don’t kick me out of the house for parking when they have eight accessible areas,” he described with Riga.

And he remarked wryly: “Literally every day when I get to my car, I think “Will there be another fine?”. And it’s horrible. “

Equality law

Lawyer for the rights of people with disabilities Chris Friof the law firm Scott Montcrieff & Associates, has assured that under the equality law there is a requirement to make reasonable adjustments.

“The reality is that if the space allotted to you is inaccessible due to your disability, then they are forced to make a change, maybe move that space or change it to a place closer to the front. If not, they are violating the equality law, “he says.

He added: “There is no downside to changing their policy. It is in its power to cancel such sanctionsit should be the first step with the idea of ​​rebuilding the relationship. “

Administration statement

Next generation parking managementwho manages the bays on behalf of Prospect Place, said the rules were agreed upon when they were asked to manage the site.

“We want to make it clear that if we allow a resident to use a disabled visitor space as their own, we should accommodate all resident inquiries we have received over the years,” he doubled.

Finally, they stressed that they cannot make changes unless agreed by the Board of Directors. “Given the inconvenience the situation is causing Ms. Gemma, we will take steps to ensure that be discussed at the next board meeting“.