I am going to be visiting the UK for three weeks. I will hire a car for self drive. Here in the US, We have a standard nationwide Handicap placard that is designed to hang on the rear view mirror arm.
I can bring the US placard, but am concerned that it won't be recognized for it's intended purpose. I am wondering what are the procedures and rules associated with handicap parking?
To start, see these recent threads on that topic:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/disabled-place-card-for-cotswolds
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/handicapped-parking-in-england
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/how-disabled-friendly-is-england-london
In the UK it would be "disabled", handicapped could be seen as offensive by some people.
I did look at all of the websites given on this issue. With tongue in cheek, it is nice to know that the UK has as much government bureaucracy as we have here in the US. I would have preferred the answer that a disability is recognized regardless whatever piece of paper is placed on the dashboard of an auto.
With respect to using disabled vs handicapped, I also find that our two countries have the same illogical thoughts on political correctness.
Be that as it may, I will consider myself a guest in the UK and do what is necessary to comply with the regulations.
Just a note about PC:
A lot of us in the transportation field in the US prefer the term "accessible." What people choose to self-identify as is their business, but person-first language is preferred in legal, administrative, and formal writing.
Skyhook, have a good trip!
Handicapped is a term considered rather more offensive by disabled people in the UK than non-disabled ones. The top most offensive word incidentally is spastic or spaz, which gets Americans into trouble as the word is significantly more offensive in the UK than the US where it is still used humorously by some. Tiger Woods for one found that out the hard way.
As to use of parking placards, they are likely to be accepted by parking at attractions, but less likely by car parks and in streets. Officially you need to contact the local parking authority to verify. I daresay it is no consolation to know that exactly the same situation applies to visitors to the US. There is a common format used throughout Europe.
I appreciate the advise on PC. I do not wish to insult anyone during my trip. There are a lot of American phrases and slang that are perfectly acceptable here. If I should error in using one of those I hope that there will be some understanding by our British counterparts - as I would do if the shoe were on the other foot.
In doing some more checking on the issue of American handicap plaques, I talked with a former British bobby. He said that I would have no problem among that body of law enforcement.
Most parking enforcement in streets is done by local authorities these days and not the police.
http://www.gov.scot/resource/doc/173533/0048423.pdf
if you scroll down to the bottom of this link there are contacts for all the relevant athourities in the UK, maybe you can e-mail or phone them to get the correct advice.
Where do you want to use disabled parking? For example on-street is much more restrictive in London that elsewhere.
