ABC News: Billy Draper
)For the first time in nearly three decades, changes have been made to the way people with disabilities access parking permits in Victoria.
People with permanent disabilities will no longer need to be reassessed by doctors every few years to renew their permit, instead they can qualify for one for life.
Changes are also being made to the criteria to try to reduce the misuse of the permits, with all councils required to use the same rules to make it fairer and easier for the more than 320,000 Victorians who need them.
Tamlyn Dunn, who was born with spina bifida, is a wheelchair user and is also a carer for her 27-year-old daughter Zoe, who has a physical and intellectual disability.
The Wantirna South resident uses her car multiple times a day and was involved in a trial of the new scheme over the past four months.
"With the previous system, you had to go to the doctor each time you wanted to renew your permit, which was a real pain," she said.
"Especially with my disability, even though I would write 'permanent' on the form, you would still have to go back and pretty much prove you were disabled."
ABC News: Billy Draper
)The outdated system was prone to abuse because each of the state's 79 council areas assessed disabled parking permits based on different standards.
Under the new online scheme, councils will need use the same state-wide criteria when awarding a permit.
National Disability Services CEO David Moody said people with disabilities will be able to get one permit from one source, rather than from three or four councils, depending on where they wish to park.
"The mere fact that you had a parking permit for one local government area, didn't mean you were automatically therefore entitled to get a parking permit for another local government area," Mr Moody said.
"There were a lot more hoops to jump through for people with disabilities to travel beyond their local government area, this will reduce those which is a good thing."
Under the changes, three-year permit lengths have also been extended to five years, while those with short-term injuries can apply for six, 12 or 24-month permits.
ABC News: Billy Draper
)Roads Minister Ben Carroll labelled the reform 'generational' and said the first big changes to the system in 26 years will ensure more fairness and transparency.
"Everyone from Doctors to Occupational Therapists have tried to do the right thing, but sadly abuse has occurred in the past," Mr Carroll said.
"You essentially had 79 potential interpretations of what the criteria will be, so we've tried to remove the subjectivity that has been so present in the disability car parking scheme so there will be a consistent approach no matter where you live."
The new permits will also include a QR code, which allows parking inspectors to quickly confirm if a permit is valid or not.
Calls for more disabled parking spaces
ABC News: Billy Draper
)Disability advocates have welcomed the changes but said more still needs to be done around enforcement and public awareness.
"Even when you have a permit it's hard to get a space and that seems to be consistent across most areas, there just aren't enough spaces," said Disability Resources Centre Advocate Kim Collinson.
"How they're enforced is an issue also – I think that comes back to a lack of public understanding around why people need permits and why it's important they are kept free for people with disabilities."
Ms Dunn also backed the need for more disability parking spaces.
"If we can't get a disabled parking spot, I'll go to another shopping centre or go home if we can't use it because it's just pretty much impossible," Ms Dunn said.
Mr Carroll said the government was increasing disabled parking across the state as part of its level crossing removal program.
Councils have begun transitioning to the new system but have until December to fully implement it.
