Canberrans Benefit From National Disability Parking Permit

People with a disability in the ACT are set to benefit from the introduction of a new national disability parking permit, Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Jon Stanhope, announced today.

“Over the next two weeks, approximately 12,000 existing ACT disability parking permit holders will receive the new national disability parking permit,” Mr Stanhope said.

“The Australian Disability Parking Permit will replace over 100 types of existing permits currently issued by state, territory and local governments across Australia. New disability parking permit applicants in the ACT have been able to receive the new national permit from 1 November 2010.

“The new permit will not only make it easier for enforcement officers to identify valid disability parking permits, it will also help reduce the barriers for permit holders when travelling interstate.

“It makes sense to have a uniform permit across the country, as it means people with a disability who live near the ACT border, such as Queanbeyan or Yass, no longer have to worry about the permit being mistaken for an invalid one.”

Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, said the Australian Government provided $3 million to support the introduction of the new Australian Disability Parking Permit scheme.

The scheme follows extensive consultations with stakeholders, including permit holders, medical associations, peak organisations and state, territory and local government.

“Australians with disability face many difficulties getting around and rely on disability parking schemes to make their lives easier,” Senator McLucas said.

“The new scheme will enable people with disability every opportunity to travel around their community and interstate without the confusion and stress that varying parking rules across the country may cause.”

“It will mean a more consistent system to give people with disability in the ACT greater independence and dignity when travelling, as well as various enhanced security features, such as holograms and micro-printing, to help to reduce fraudulent use of permits.”

Mr Stanhope said that disability parking permits issued in the ACT will consist of the ACT mobility parking permit (with the permit number and expiry date displayed) inserted into the plastic pocket of the Australian Disability Parking Permit.

“Both permits need to be displayed together as a single permit, with the permit number and expiry date clearly visible from outside the vehicle. The ACT Road Transport Authority will continue to be the administering authority for the new national permit within the ACT. This includes renewals and application processes.”

For further information on disability parking in the ACT visit www.tams.act.gov.au (look under ‘Move’) or call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81. Information on parking concessions for each state and territory can be found at www.disabilityparking.gov.au.

A picture of what the new Australian Disability Parking Permit combined with the existing ACT mobility parking permit looks like is attached.