The Scottish Parliament will debate Stage 1 of the Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Bill, a bill being led by Jackie Baillie.

Some 85 percent of disabled parking bays are advisory, which means anyone can park in them without the risk of being penalised. But this Bill will make all existing disabled parking bays which are under the control of local authorities legally enforceable.

There are an estimated one million disabled people in Scotland - almost 224,000 are registered Blue Badge holders who will benefit from this Bill.

In advance of the debate, Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton MSP, said:

"This legislation is designed to make the lives of disabled people that bit easier. For far too long disabled people have had to rely on the courtesy of others not to park in disabled spaces, but I am determined to change that.

"If the parliament agrees to the general principles this afternoon it will send a strong signal to those who suffer disabled parking abuse that MSPs are on their side."

The Bill further requires local authorities to contact owners and operators of private car parks, including supermarkets and out of town retail centres, to negotiate an agreement which would make their disabled persons' parking places enforceable.

CASE STUDIES
1. 43-year-old Susan Archibald from Kelty in Fife drives an automatic car because her right leg is partially paralysed. Susan is a Blue Badge holder, but she often finds it difficult to get a parking space outside shops. Susan said: "It is common courtesy for able bodied people to avoid parking in disabled bays. I won't even park in the space nearest to the shop because I know someone else could be more deserving."

2. Eleanor Hind's daughter Helen, who is 50-years-old, is a wheelchair user. They live in a flat in Pollokshields in Glasgow, which has a designated disabled bay outside. The close proximity to the local shops means that the space is often abused by members of the public. Eleanor said: "Many people have little respect for disabled parking spaces. If I take Helen out in the car I know when I come back home someone will have taken the space and often they are there for hours. I've confronted people in the past about why they are using the space and they can get quite aggressive. A young woman even tried to attack me when I spoke to her about it."

Many leading disabled organisations have been at the forefront of the campaign to ensure this Bill is passed:

Quarriers' Chief Executive Dr Phil Robinson said:
"We have been working to highlight the difficulties encountered by disabled people when such parking places are used improperly. We hope this Bill will introduce a straightforward method to enforcing restrictions over disabled persons parking bays and ensure such parking places are available for those who need them most."

Euan Page of the Equality Human Rights Commission said:
"We hope that MSPs across the chamber will continue to show their support for the Bill in the upcoming debate and help remove a persistent barrier to equality for disabled people in Scotland."

Enable Scotland also added their support for the Bill. Mike Holmes, Director of Campaigns and Marketing, said: "This simple measure will result in many more people being able to get out and about. Sometimes the smallest acts have the greatest benefits. This Bill will help bring social inclusion and equality a lot closer for disabled people."

Liz Rowlett of the Scottish Disability Equality Forum said: "The SDEF is keen to see this Bill passed successfully and has supported it as a member of the original reference group throughout its development. We hope that it will result in disabled people obtaining better access to services and that it will raise awareness of the problems faced by disabled people in carrying out day-to-day activities."

Eleanor Hind of the Fair Deal transport group said:
"This is a much-needed, supportive and very important piece of legislation for those disabled people who need such parking places. So often, folk who are perfectly fit abuse the amenity; they seldom have any excuse and are often unjustifiably aggressive."

Braehead's General Manager, Peter Beagley, said:
"I would urge drivers to respect the needs of disabled people and not use the parking spaces specially designated for them. I would also hope the rest of Scotland will follow our lead to protect the rights of disabled drivers."