I am writing this letter to share information with the people of Pennsylvania.
I respect the fact that the government allows persons with disabilities to have accessible parking. It has come to my attention that there are people who have not read or even understand the laws and regulations.
People think that a single handicap sign in front of your house reserves that spot only for that resident.
This is not the case, however. Any person with a handicap placard or license plate may at any time park in these spots. These signs may not be altered by putting your name or address.
Also, these signs are property of the state.
This letter is the result of a single handicap sign that is placed in the Logan Hills apartment complex. I was approached by a man who stated the spot was reserved for an individual that lived in the complex.
My wife had already contacted the office and found that this was not the case and that any handicap person may use the location as long as the placard is for the person traveling within that vehicle and is present.
My wife has congestive heart failure and has a placard.
An individual in the City of Altoona must pay $100 processing fee and a $35 fee every year so the sign is legal. I think that people should look at these laws so as to understand them better.
Another misunderstanding is that these signs must be directly in front of the entrance. This is not true, and they can be up to 150 feet from the entrance.
Steve "Bug" Wasylak, Altoona
