UPEI plans to remove the accessible parking spaces in the coming weeks to help reduce internal traffic on the campus

Ann Matheson works at her desk at UPEI. She has severe arthritis in both knees but will be forced to walk across campus following a decision to remove the designated parking spots outside Main Building, where she works. (Guardian photo)

For Ann Matheson, the severe arthritis in both knees makes walking a very difficult part of her day.

From The Guardian – “Every step I take every day hurts,” she said.
As an executive assistant in Main Building at the University of Prince Edward Island, getting to work has never been much trouble because of three designated parking spaces located outside the building.

But that’s about to change, as the university plans to remove the spaces in the coming weeks to help reduce internal traffic on the campus. Three staff members use the parking on a regular basis, as well as several students.

Matheson first learned of the issue in May when the university came to her about the changes. They then held public meetings concerning the issue.

Following the meeting, the decision was upheld and alternate parking arrangements were found for those involved, she said.
“They’re willing to compromise and give us a couple spaces in visitor parking.”

The solution is the opposite of what should be happening to designated parking outside the building, she said.

“They need a couple more spaces, not to take what is there.”

Marcia Carroll, executive director of the P.E.I. Council of People with Disabilities, said the organization had received complaints from those working in the building and has spoken with the university about the issue.

“We spoke very candidly about the importance of designated parking.”

Jackie MacPhail, a representative with facilities management at the university, said there have been a couple of complaints from staff, each of which has been brought to the university’s accessibility council.

She said the decision was made in accordance with several goals the university had in mind, which included making the campus more pedestrian-friendly by eliminating internal traffic. Part of that plan includes removing parking spaces within the campus.

MacPhail said they addressed the accessibility issue by providing alternate parking for those affected.

“We did do a new barrier-free parking lot off Steele (Building).”

She said the existing parking outside Main Building wasn’t available to students so the new parking will ensure all those who need designated spaces are treated equally.

Matheson said some of her students use the spaces as well so fairness shouldn’t be an issue.

On the campus, only two other buildings are located a distance from designated parking spaces but they have never had such spaces, Matheson said. This is something that Main Building has always had.

“I don’t understand if it’s there, why would it be taken away,” she said.

“To take it away is going to hinder Main (Building).”

For her, going to work is going to become much more difficult, she said, as the alternate parking is a good distance from the building.

“On Monday morning I would probably be fine. Tuesday would be more painful.”

The designated spaces were set to be removed at the end of May but construction has yet to begin.

“We’re on borrowed time,” she said.