Human Rights at UPEI

Barriers to people with disabilities are civil and human rights abuses

Archive for November 10th, 2008

Guardian, Accessible parking not a reality

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Letters to the Editor
The Guardian

Front Page
UPEI reminds me of a stubborn teenager. You can talk to them, reason with them, and try to lay down the law. We all know how stubborn kids can be when they want to do the wrong thing. (Stephen Pate on the lack of accessible parking for the disabled at the University)

On July 4th, 2008 the Guardian (UPEI’s plan to remove designated parking) reported UPEI was removing the last three accessible parking spaces on the inner campus. Those spots are gone and UPEI adamantly insists it is right.

Accessible parking means the spot is less than 50 meters from the door of the building. That is the National Building Code standard and the City of Charlottetown by-law. (Ed: the City does not enforce this by-law consistently)

60% of the blue painted parking spaces at UPEI do not meet the national standard. At UPEI, the only accessible parking is at CARI, the Sports Centre, Murphy, AVC Small Animal Hospital and MacDougall.

This move has reversed three decades in the accommodation of people with disabilities at UPEI. President MacLauchlan stubbornly refuses to budge from that decision.

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