By: Jared Evan

Jonathan Steinberg, a 71-year-old man battling Parkinson’s disease, has found himself entangled in a frustrating and unjust ordeal with the city over his disabled parking permit. Despite his valid permit, granting him the privilege to disregard alternate-side parking rules, the city insists that he owes thousands of dollars in unpaid parking tickets.

The article originally written by the NY Post delves into the challenges faced by Steinberg, the flawed system, and the dire need for improved support and accessibility for disabled individuals in the city.

For almost two years, Jonathan Steinberg has fought tirelessly against unjust parking tickets, while the city’s bureaucrats have remained unyielding. Moreover, the city took the drastic step of confiscating and auctioning off his car, leaving him with limited mobility options. With Parkinson’s disease making walking difficult, Steinberg’s ability to travel became severely restricted, forcing him to spend most of his time at home.

The Inadequacies of the Permit Renewal Process

Steinberg’s ordeal began during the pandemic when his disabled parking permit was due for renewal. Compounding his challenges, his car was totaled by a hit-and-run driver, necessitating a new permit application for a different car registered in his wife’s name. However, the pandemic-related red tape created insurmountable obstacles, leading to delays in obtaining the new permit.

Conflicting information from phone representatives further complicated the situation. Steinberg received mixed messages regarding a permanent license plate change versus a temporary plate change. Reduced in-office staffing during the pandemic exacerbated the delays in processing his new permit application.

The City’s Contradictory Claims

Despite displaying an expired temporary permit on his dashboard, with a note stating “permanent plate change applied for,” Steinberg continued to receive parking tickets. City lawyers argued that his permit was expired, and the permit didn’t match the license plate. The city even claimed that his petition was “procedurally defective and a nullity” because the court documents were signed by Steinberg and not his wife.

Fighting for Accessibility and Dignity

For individuals with mobility challenges like Steinberg, disabled parking permits are essential for maintaining independence and dignity. Disabled parking permits allow individuals with “a severe, permanent disability that impairs mobility” to avoid alternate-side parking rules, park for free in metered spots, and park in designated “no parking” areas.

Parkinson’s disease significantly impairs balance and coordination, making simple activities like walking on steady floors challenging, let alone maneuvering on a moving bus or subway. Steinberg’s condition makes public transportation precarious and potentially dangerous.

The City’s Inhospitable Infrastructure

Steinberg’s case highlights the city’s shortcomings in accommodating disabled individuals. Despite claiming to provide accommodation, the infrastructure remains inhospitable to people with disabilities. Katherine Macfarlane, an associate law professor specializing in disability law, acknowledges the complexities and frustrations of obtaining needed accommodations. More often than not, disabled individuals encounter obstacles rather than assistance, leading to exhausting battles for their entitled benefits.

Jonathan Steinberg’s struggle for a disabled parking permit exposes the inadequacies and inconsistencies of the city’s support for disabled individuals. The lack of accessible infrastructure and the city’s bureaucratic rigidity have resulted in a frustrating and demoralizing experience for Steinberg and countless others. The city must prioritize the needs of disabled individuals and streamline the permit renewal process.