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Close-up of a wheelchair parking space in an indoor parking lot.

Advocates urge awareness of accessible parking spaces

Public is reminded not to park in or block parking spaces for accessible vehicles

PRESS RELEASE
May 6, 2025

The ability to get to your physician’s office, a grocery store, or across town to an event or activity is an everyday necessity. However, without proper parking access, people with disabilities find these simple activities difficult.

A group of community advocates is working to raise awareness about accessibility issues and has launched a campaign to raise awareness about keeping disabled parking spaces free for registered users.

“When people with disabilities can’t access parking spaces because someone who is not registered as disabled has parked there, or when snow is plowed into these spaces to allow for more parking elsewhere, it can cause real burdens,” said Garfield County Public Health Specialist Mason Hohstadt.

The #RespectTheSpot campaign is designed to educate the community about making sure that people with disabilities can access parking spaces without added difficulty.

“In Glenwood Springs alone, there are nearly 1,400 individuals living with some form of disability,” added Hohstadt. “Respecting accessible parking is just one small way to demonstrate our care and concern for others.”

“Sometimes people think they are just going to run into a place and only be a minute, so it is ok if they park in a disabled space,” said one respondent during community feedback sessions for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. “A one-minute walk for you can turn into a 10-minute nightmare for my partner and I. We did not choose to have my partner live a life as a person with disabilities, and we would give anything not to have to use these spots. Sometimes other people’s one-minute errand can really turn a person with disability’s day into a nightmare.”

Lisa Skoog, residential area supervisor with Mountain Valley Developmental Services, participates in the task force.

“Access issues, especially concerning handicap parking spots, can occasionally present challenges that affect our ability to serve clients smoothly,” said Skoog. “When these spaces are unavailable or obstructed, it creates unnecessary barriers for individuals with mobility needs, which can lead to frustration.

“This, in turn, may require additional time and effort to resolve, potentially shifting our focus away from providing the attentive service our clients deserve,” she continued. “It’s important to ensure these spaces are consistently accessible to create a more seamless and respectful experience for everyone.”

Individuals can #RespectTheSpot by remembering:

  • It’s more than just a space
  • Accessible parking links people with disabilities to essential services
  • A few extra steps for you make a big difference for someone else
  • Blocking access means blocking vital services

    • Businesses can #RespectTheSpot by:

  • Periodically performing a visual sweep of facility spaces to ensure safe, functioning access
  • Educating employees to watch for disabled persons in need of assistance
  • Ensuring disabled parking spaces and access aisles are never blocked by unpermitted vehicles, bicycles, snow storage, or delivery trucks
  • Considering adding disabled parking spaces if none exist
  • Considering adding additional disabled parking spaces for special events and busy periods

    • #RespectTheSpot will continue its campaign to raise awareness and ensure access for people with all abilities.

    Garfield County Public Health information is provided online on the Public Health website.