Disabled Drivers Association urge councils to introduce parking app

The Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland is calling on the four Dublin county councils to introduce an app that will help disabled drivers find nearby and available parking spots.

Developed by Limerick company ParkMagic and supported by the Disabled Drivers Association, the DDAI SpaceFinder app gives real-time information on whether an accessible parking space is occupied or not, using sensors installed by the participating local authority.

Sean O’Kelly a DDAI board member said the process of finding a disabled parking space can be time consuming.

“For me and many others, driving means independence and equal opportunity but finding a vacant accessible parking space is often time-consuming and stressful.

“In some cases, you could be forced to return home and try again later but with no guarantee of finding one even then.

“If the DDAI Spacefinder App service was available in our city, everyday life would be far easier as you’d know exactly where to find a spot to park.”

 Limerick City & County Council was the first local authority to begin using the DDAI Spacefinder App service.

The council’s traffic department installed small sensors at  accessible parking bays in its city centre business district, delivering real-time updates to users of the app on Apple and Android. In addition, navigation to the nearest available accessible space is now on Apple CarPlay with Android Auto following shortly.

Richard Ryder, communications manager with the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland, added: “ Having the DDAI Spacefinder App service available in every county would take away the fear and stress out of everyday travelling and trying to find suitable parking.

“We are urging Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council and Fingal County Council to introduce it as it would literally be a ‘game-changer’ for disabled drivers and passengers in their area.”