By Gina Martinez
Following a suggestion from State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing), the city Department of Transportation will now issue reminders prior to the expiration of New York State parking Permits for Persons with Severe Disabilities.
According to Stavisky, permit holders used to have to send out renewal notices for permits set to expire. Holders would receive a notice in the mail that informed them of the change and suggested they write their expiration date down in a safe place. Stavisky, who was approached by a constituent, thought that under this process senior citizens would forget to apply for renewal without adequate notice, resulting in a lost permit.
Stavisky wrote to DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg requesting the agency continue to send renewal notices for individuals over the age of 65. In response, the commissioner agreed to continue sending out a reminder to all permit-holders three months prior to their expiration date.
Stavisky said senior citizens are some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“The city should be trying to make senior lives easier, not more difficult,” she said. “When one of my constituents brought my attention to the potential change, I felt it was absolutely necessary to draw DOT’s attention to the possible consequences. My constituents, senior citizens around the city and myself appreciate Commissioner Trottenberg’s swift correction of the matter.”
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
