The Editor, Re: "City should park new decal program," News, July 31. Upon reading of Mr. Pan's story, I personally think that it has the following problems: 1. It is bad enough to be "disabled" (I call them "less fortunate".) And it's like adding salt to the wound by labeling them "more inclusive" - another way of saying "more disabled."
2. If this new program is for "applicants who have to demonstrate their inability to operate the pay parking machines," then I think the city should issue the PWD decal for the people with "X-linked spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda." It's a condition that impairs bone growth of the spine and the ends of long bones in the arms and legs with skeletal abnormalities and short stature. The adult son of my friend is only 135 cm and he always has a very difficult time reading and operating the parking machine due to his height.
3. The fact that the PWD program is only for the residents of Richmond is very short-sighted. First of all, the "disability" sign is internationally recognized. The city must have forgotten that non-residents of Richmond coming to Richmond are here to spend money. They are creating business/employment opportunities for the locals, which indirectly are paying for the city. Excluding them is to discourage them to come to Richmond.
I highly suggest the city reconsider the PWD program.
Edmund Leung
Richmond
