Explaining the disabled disc application process

Kobus Schutte said his wife, Drien (86), is frail and has a defective knee.

According to Fanie Swanepoel, access and placement officer for the Gauteng Provincial Association for Persons with Disabilities (GPAPD), people need to follow these processes to obtain a legal disc:

• Section 137 of the Road Traffic Act 29 of 1989 provides for special parking spaces for any person who has a prescribed disability, or for the person who transports that person with a disability. This prescribed disability must be confirmed by a medical practitioner, who needs to complete the 427D Road Traffic regulation form that can be obtained from the GPAPD.

In order to qualify for a parking permit, the applicant must be mobility impaired and require the use of an assistive device, to promote his/her mobility. “This appeal is made because many persons with mobility impairments – who’ve been unable to obtain certified discs – face the prospect of being fined by traffic officials and at worst, have their vehicles towed away when failing to display the appropriate disc on their vehicles,” said Swanepoel.

• The application must be lodged with GPAPD, which requires the applicant to appear before a screening panel – who then pursue the final application on behalf of the applicant, with the relevant authorities. Temporary discs (three to nine months) are also issued for minor short-term disabilities, but the same process has to be followed.

“The reason why the panel has been put in place, is to meet with the applicant in person and to make sure that they (applicants) meet the relevant requirements for the use of the parking bay,” added Swanepoel.

“Unfortunately the general public, as well as police and traffic officials, have abused the system tremendously.”

Swanepoel explained people have found it difficult to obtain the correct discs.

“Persons with disabilities in Gauteng, especially wheelchair users, have been finding it difficult to obtain help from the various traffic departments of local authorities – often being referred from one place to another; and without much success,” he elaborated.

“There has been much confusion over the legality of certain discs, with some users opting to download these discs illegally from the internet – and even purchasing the discs from certain chain outlets in the country, out of sheer frustration.”

For more information, contact Swanepoel on 0828569859 (office hours), 0865228471 or fanie.gpapd@telkomsa.net.

Alternatively, visit www.gpapd.org

Also read:

Fines expected due to water rationing