New Handicapped Placard Rules
Researchers Study Possible
Link
Between Estrogen and AMD
Vision Researcher First
to Implant an Artificial
Retina in Humans
Mashpee Resident Receives Award
|
New Handicapped Placard Rules In Effect
The Registrar may now also
furnish a special parking identification placard bearing the designation
“International Symbol of Access” to any person who meets
the eligibility requirements for handicapped plates. The Registrar
may also issue a separate identification card identifying the person
to whom such placard is issued as the authorized user thereof which
shall be carried by the authorized user while the placard is in use.
A placard may be used while a vehicle is parked in a designated handicapped
space from which the authorized user is entering or exiting, including
immediate drop off or pick up. Only a vehicle bearing private passenger
registration or a private passenger vehicle bearing a commercial registration
or a vehicle designed and used for the transportation of handicapped
persons may be used in conjunction with a placard. The placard shall
be displayed so as to be readily visible through the windshield of
the vehicle. Upon application and for good cause shown by the applicant,
the Registrar may issue both a plate and a placard. Any person who
wrongfully displays a plate or placard in a motor vehicle shall be
subject to a fine of $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for a second
or subsequent offense. The Registrar shall suspend the operator’s
license or right to operate of any person found to have violated this
provision for a period of 30 days for a first offense, 90 days for
a second offense, one year for subsequent offenses. Cities and towns
may now adopt penalties of not less than $100 nor more than $300 and
shall provide for the removal of a vehicle parked illegally in a designated
handicapped parking area. (From “Focal Point” - MCB)
Researchers Study Possible Link
Researchers are currently
examining the possibility of a link between estrogen production and
the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in women. Information
gathered in recent years indicates there is a higher incidence of
AMD in women, and that women who experience an earlier onset of menopause
may be at greater risk of developing the disease. Scientists pooled
data from three separate epidemiological studies and concluded the
connection may be realted to the duration of estrogen production,
and the medical community has been investigating whether this puts
her at risk for heart disease, osteoporosis, and certain types of
cancers. Now, medical researchers will begin to monitor her risk of
developing macular degeneration as well. The National Institute of
Health currently supports a large, three-part study of women’s
post-menopausal health issues called the Women’s Health Initiative.
With more than 100,000 women recruited in 1998 and 40 clinical centers
and communities across the country, the WHI will study these issues
using various approaches over the next 8 to 12 years. One part is
a controlled clinical trial, using hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
More than 50,000 women are enrolled in this trial and they have been
separated into two groups. One group receives estrogen supplements
and the other receives a placebo. The development of AMD between the
two groups will be monitored. The other two parts include an observational
study that monitors the health of a larger group of women through
surveys and questionnaires over a period of years. The third group
is a project aimed at public awareness and community involvement in
women’s health issues. Although women seem to be at a higher
risk for developing AMD, HRT is only one of many research areas addressing
the causes and risk factors associated with macular degeneration.
Further study in all areas will hopefully reveal which factors cause
the disease and which may serve to prevent it in both men and women.
- (Found. Fighting Blind.)
Vision Researcher First to Implant
an Artificial
Mashpee Resident Receives Award
|
