The disabled community can now travel and park with added ease, with the recent launch of disability parking permits at the Barbados Council for the Disabled.
The newly-designed parking permits were unveiled and the first card disbursed to Maria Holder-Small, a wheelchair-bound member of the disabled community and former president of the Council for the Disabled.
Minister in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Maintenance, Peter Phillips, lauded the Council for another successful endeavour and recognized the assistance given by the Ministry of Transport Works and Maintenance and the Barbados Licensing Authority. He commended the Council for working tirelessly to ensure that its members were well equipped and could traverse the island with little inconvenience.
Mr. Phillips indicated that with the provision of the new parking cards, priority parking will be provided to members of the disabled community. He said that he was heartened by the provision in the recent amendments to the Road Traffic Act, which now gave disabled persons access to designated parking in public and private car parks. He pointed out that there was a fine of $500 for persons who parked in these designated parking areas.
The Minister recognised that some disabled persons relied heavily on public transportation and it was for this reason that the Ministry saw it as paramount to further develop the public transportation system, taking note of the specific challenges and needs of persons with disabilities. To this end, he announced that the Transport Board would soon be acquiring some electric buses, which would be outfitted for persons with wheelchairs to board. Chief Licensing Officer, Virgil Knight; President of the Council for the Disabled Kerryann Ifill, and other members of the disabled community also attended the launch.
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, WORKS AND MAINTENANCE