Accessibility

I always knew there was an undercurrent of politics when it came to parking, but until I had to manage those politics I was pretty far removed from it. I’m still learning how to navigate this in my newer role and I’ve had to put my own agenda and thoughts on parking aside. It seems to be a constant battle to get everyone on the same page regarding how parking is run efficiently and for the good of everyone. Why is parking such an afterthought when that is the very first interaction or introduction to a space, place or event? Why do people believe that they shouldn’t have to pay for parking when there is a cost to have parking available, safe and accessible? Why do some feel that their event is more important than the student trying to get to class on time when we exist as an institution to educate students? Education is key when it has come to parking, but with a new class of students every year and turnover in leadership among our staff and student representatives this has proved to be a challenge to reach everyone and maintain consistency. I once was in a training, and someone mentioned that we, as parking professionals, are the biggest advocates for others. I’ve never found this to be more true since I stepped into my current role. Whether it’s the person that doesn’t qualify for accessibility accommodations according to their doctor but is not capable of using stairs or maneuvering inclines or bumping students to the perimeter of campus to accommodate construction. I will continue to advocate, share my knowledge about parking and hope that I am heard, but man some days are harder than others when it comes to navigating the politics of parking. Meredith Garrett, CAPP, is the Assistant Director of Public Safety, Parking & Transit Services for Kent State University. Meredith can be reached at mgarre12@kent.edu.

Recognizing Hidden Disabilities Across Parking Operations

Smart Parking as a Gateway to Equitable Mobility

Considering Invoicing vs. Citing for Unpaid Curb Use

Indianapolis, IN – Parker Technology announced the launch of its fully redesigned platform experience, delivering a modern, accessible, and brand-friendly interface for both motorists and customer service representatives (CSRs). The update represents a major step forward in the company’s continued investment in usability, scalability, and preparation for future integration with voice AI technology. The redesign introduces a clean, contemporary look and improved functionality that make the platform easier to navigate and more adaptable to customer branding. Accessibility improvements include larger text for translations and captions, enhanced color contrast, and clearer on-screen elements. Behind the scenes, Parker’s engineering team rebuilt the frontend codebase and standardized the UX component library, enabling faster, safer deployments and more efficient development. Together, these upgrades ensure a consistent, intuitive experience for both drivers and operators. “Our goal with this redesign was to elevate every interaction, whether it’s a motorist at the gate or a CSR assisting from behind the screen,” said James Paden, Chief Product Officer at Parker Technology. “We rebuilt the platform to be more accessible, visually neutral to better reflect our customers’ brands, and technically equipped for what’s next. With voice AI on the horizon, this new foundation positions us to deliver faster, smarter, and more connected experiences across the parking ecosystem.” This launch marks a key milestone in Parker Technology’s roadmap toward an AI-augmented support experience. The redesign not only improves usability today but also sets the stage for seamless integration of future automation and analytics capabilities, ensuring operators can continue to enhance customer satisfaction while optimizing operational efficiency. ABOUT PARKER TECHNOLOGY Parker Technology is the safety net that keeps parking operations running smoothly. Their workflow platform and professional service team resolve exception calls quickly and according to facility rules, protecting revenue, improving customer experience, and freeing staff to focus on higher-value work. With optional voice AI in development, they're building toward even faster first responses and deeper operational insights, ensuring parking remains a non-event. For PR inquiries email marketing@parkertechnology.com or call 800.923.2704.

A community is only as strong as its ability to include everyone.

True Accessibility in Parking

Why Parking Matters

Reclaiming Mobility for Transportation Equity

How do we ensure that parking and mobility decisions reflect the needs of every person, not just the majority of users?

The cohort’s develops best practices and research based on IPMI’s members’ needs and the most critical issues facing our community, including accessible parking and placard abuse; regulations that foster (or hamper) effective enforcement; transportation equity; curbside management, and more.

Event Transportation is for ALL People