The McGowan Government is conducting a review of the eligibility for an ACROD Parking Permit in Western Australia. The program currently supports Western Australians with significant mobility restrictions to access the community by providing permits for accessible ACROD parking bays.
The review will consider the current needs of Western Australians, including:
- The potential to expand the program’s eligibility criteria, for example, to include people assisted by a guide dog, and;
- The development of ways of working with private property owners, such as shopping centres, to ensure accessible bays are appropriately used by permit holders.
This review will complement the work being undertaken by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and National Disability Services WA (NDS WA) which will focus on improving availability by deterring misuse of ACROD bays.
Eligibility requirements will be reviewed using a collaborative approach with people with disability and consideration of the role of stakeholders including local government and private property owners.
The ACROD program is funded through the Department of Communities and administered by NDS WA. A report on the review is expected by mid-2020.
To provide comments and feedback on the ACROD Parking Program, email [email protected] or phone the Access and Inclusion team at the Department of Communities on (08) 9440 2251.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“People with disability experience a range of restrictions in their communities and inclusive parking is a significant initiative that addresses their social and economic participation. The review will take a closer look at the needs of the community and ensure the ACROD Parking Permit eligibility criteria are contemporary and inclusive.
“NDS WA currently issues free ACROD parking permits to almost 90,000 Western Australians, with around 10,000 new permits issued each year. Currently the permits are restricted to people who have significant difficulty walking.
“I believe it’s important we ensure Western Australians with disability are fully supported to access their community and that providers and regulators of accessible parking are doing their part.
“I encourage anyone with an interest on the future of the ACROD Parking Program to provide their feedback.”
