To the editor:

Beginning at age 2, my son, Aubrey Baughan, has attended classes at the Kansas University Schiefelbusch Speech Hearing Clinic, located on the Lawrence campus. For the past 17 years, I have transported Aubrey to the clinic, utilizing the handicap-accessible parking stall near the clinic entrance. On Aubrey’s first session of the fall 2015 semester, Sept. 1, I noticed new signage located under the standard “Accessible Parking” sign, which indicated that a KU permit was required and questions regarding this new requirement could be directed to the KU Parking Department.

Upon calling the KU Parking Department to inquire, I was informed, effective fall 2015 semester, this new permit is required and I would need to purchase a KU permit to park in the handicap space. I was informed that I could obtain a temporary parking permit from the clinic, but I would have to request this permit each occurrence. The KU Parking

Department’s justification: The permit requirement was due to recent policy changes and, in their view, promotes equality between the handicapped and non-handicapped.

My assessment of the KU Parking Department’s policy change: They are placing an additional burden on the handicapped, that is, requiring two separate permits for the handicapped while requiring only one for the non-handicapped. Additionally, I believe this requirement is in violation of the Kansas statutes.