There is a lack of concern in Athens for those who need Handicap Parking. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was part of the Civil Rights act of 1964. There were more specific instructions in 1991’s ADA Law.

The local inspectors for parking lots don’t seem to be familiar with it or don’t want to enforce it. Each two handicap spaces are supposed to have an access aisle between them. That is not the case at the hospital or Wellness Center, and several businesses.

Downtown by the Limestone Drug Store there used to be a handicap spot by the corner and a sidewalk cut. The parking space has been moved so that a car can now park to block the sidewalk cut. The handicap spaces are supposed to be nearest the accessible entrance. There are new or remodeled buildings all over town with the handicap spaces away from the nearest accessible entrance, which shows the lack of enforcement of the building and parking lot ADA Laws which should be part of the State and Local building codes. There is also a lack of enforcement by local police. I go to stores where several handicap spaces are already taken by people with no handicap sticker or tag.

Some cooperation from the public would be helpful in this case, too. The code enforcement and police are more interested in not aggravating those who are not handicapped than they are concerned about those who are handicapped. I hope to see this change.

Frank Melton

Athens