After being discharged from hospital, he had to adapt to many things: crutches first, then a wheelchair and now obtaining a disabled parking disc.
He took the first step by visiting the municipal offices at the Civic Centre in Plantation Road, New Era to inquire about the disc.
“When my fiancé Marie Buchner and I arrived at the metro counter we were advised to go to the first floor of the building where we waited only to find out that the person we were looking for, was on leave,” he says.
The woman also informed the couple that the metro had stopped issuing disabled parking discs two years ago.
Botes was surprised to hear they have to go to Johannesburg to obtain the disc.
“Why is a disabled person being put through so much just to obtain a disc which we desperately need,” he asks.
He jokingly threatened to buy a disc over the counter, but was reprimanded in a friendly manner that he would be fined if he uses any unofficial discs.
Botes discovered he has to obtain the disc from the Gauteng Provincial Association for Persons with Disabilities (GPAPD) offices in Johannesburg.
“I don’t even know where to begin my ‘disc-obtaining’ journey,” says Botes.
The Addie contacted the GPAPD offices who revealed the following application procedures:
• The application form is available from the offices of GPAPD and can be emailed/faxed or collected by the applicant.
• All the relevant documents must be completed in full by the applicant, as well as his or her medical practitioner.
• The application should be accompanied by a medical certificate from a registered health professional, an occupational therapist or a physio or medical doctor.
• The applicant must then fax or email the completed documents back to GPAPD together with a certified copy of the applicant’s ID document.
• The disc is registered in the applicant’s name and can be used with any vehicle.
• A parking disc will be issued for a maximum period of five years, after which the applicant must re-apply. It can also be issued for two years depending on the nature of the disability.
Once the above has been completed, an application is 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.
Lesleigh Kardolus from the GPAPD office says their screening panel also facilitates applications for motor vehicle rebates and beach permits.
Persons with disabilities in Ekurhuleni, who need to apply for an official disabled parking disc, are urged to get in touch with GPAPD by contacting Kardolus on 072 410 8282.
