Is Plantar Fasciitis A Qualifying Condition For A Disability Placard?

Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition that affects more than two million Americans every year. Almost 10% of Americans will experience plantar fasciitis at some time during their lives. Plantar fasciitis can last for a short period of time or linger as a long-term, chronic condition.

Plantar fasciitis is a painful and debilitating condition. A person who is suffering from plantar fasciitis can find themselves immobile – so is plantar fasciitis a qualifying condition for a disabled parking permit? Read on to learn more.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot and heel pain in American adults. The condition occurs when the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toe bones becomes inflamed, sensitive, and achy.

What Are The Symptoms Of Plantar Fasciitis?

The pain caused by plantar fasciitis is usually most acute when a person moves after a period of resting, such as when they get out of bed in the morning or stand up after sitting for a period of time. For this reason, plantar fasciitis pain can be especially acute after driving.

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is a stabbing pain in the bottom of the foot near the heel. This pain can also be triggered by movement and exercise.

person using crutches to walk
Image by kaboompics on Pixabay: Is plantar fasciitis a qualifying condition for a disability placard?

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis usually occurs when the plantar fascia becomes damaged, often by wear and tear. The plantar fascia is the fibrous tissue that runs between the heel and the toes. It connects the heel bone to the toes, supports the arch of the foot, and acts as a shock absorber when we walk.

If the plantar fascia is put under repeated stress and pressure, it can stretch, and small tears can accumulate. This stretching and tearing can cause irritation and inflammation.

Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include:

  • Excessive bodyweight
  • Age (plantar fasciitis is most common in older people)
  • Doing a lot of exercise that places stress on the heel (such as long-distance running or dancing)
  • Occupations that require a lot of standing
  • Abnormal walking gait
  • Having flat feet or a high arch

How Does Plantar Fasciitis Affect Daily Life?

A person who is suffering from plantar fasciitis will be affected in several ways. They will have to endure chronic pain, including the possibility of acute pain episodes throughout the day.

People with the condition usually find walking difficult, and therefore their ability to get around without needing to stop to rest frequently or without using an assistive device can be severely curtailed.

Plantar Fasciitis And Disabled Parking

The disabled parking program exists to provide people with disabilities with improved access to public and private areas, buildings, and amenities. So, can you get a disability placard for plantar fasciitis?

Is Plantar Fasciitis A Qualifying Condition For A Disability Placard?

Yes, you can get a disabled parking permit for plantar fasciitis! In all states, a person will qualify for a disability placard if:

People with plantar fasciitis will often qualify for a disabled parking permit because they satisfy one or both of these conditions.

What Types Of Disability Placards Are Available For Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis can last for a relatively short period of time or it can be a chronic, long-term condition. This means that a person who suffers from the condition can qualify for either a permanent or temporary disabled parking permit, depending on how long the condition lasts in their case.

feet outside of car window
Image by Greyerbaby on Pixabay: How does plantar fasciitis affect daily life? The condition can make it difficult for you to get around.

Is Plantar Fasciitis A Permanent Disability?

If plantar fasciitis lasts a long time, it can be considered a permanent disability and qualify a person for a permanent disabled parking placard or license plate.

Plantar Fasciitis Disability Rating

If your plantar fasciitis is military service-related, you may be eligible for a Veteran’s Association disability rating for foot pain of 20% if one foot is affected, or 30% if both feet are affected.

How Can I Get A Disability Placard For Plantar Fasciitis?

You can get a disabled parking permit for plantar fasciitis by having a video consultation with a doctor at the Dr. Handicap online clinic. Once your condition has been verified, the doctor will send you a certified DMV application for your state.

Featured image by andreas160578 on Pixabay

Can I Park In Residential Parking With A Disability Placard?

Disability placard holders need to know the rules around handicap parking in their state. Understanding what your entitlements are as a disabled placard holder means you can get the most value out of the parking program and avoid breaking any rules.

When everybody knows and abides by the rules, the disabled parking system works smoothly and benefits all disability permit holders. One important area that can cause some confusion is residential parking – so can you park in residential parking with a disability placard? Let’s find out.

Each State Has Its Own Disabled Parking Rules

It’s crucial to remember that all US states, and even jurisdictions within states, have their own disabled parking rules. All states adhere to the federal Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) disabled parking guidelines, but while each jurisdiction abides by ADA law, the specific details of can vary depending on where you are in the country. Always make sure you know the rules in the specific area you live or intend to travel to.

cars parked on street spaces
Image by Arcaion on Pixabay: Can you park anywhere with a disability placard?

Can You Park Anywhere With A Disability Placard?

A disability placard does not entitle its holder to park just anywhere. Disability placards entitle their holder to park in designated disabled parking spaces anywhere in the US (as well as in several foreign countries). These spaces are marked with the International Symbol of Access.

Permit holders are also entitled to park in metered, on-street spaces for free and for an unlimited time in most jurisdictions. However, there are plenty of places that disability placard holders are not entitled to park.

Can You Get A Parking Ticket With A Disability Placard?

Yes, disability placard holders can get a parking ticket if they park in a place in which it’s illegal to park. It’s also an offense for somebody to use a disability placard that is not their own.

Where Can You Not Park With A Disability Placard?

It’s illegal for disabled permit holders to park in the following locations:

  • Any zone for which state law prohibits stopping, parking, or standing of all vehicles.
  • Any area that state law reserves for special types of vehicles, such as ambulance loading bays and street vending businesses.
  • The loading/unloading areas of designated ‘disabled’ spaces. These areas are marked by blue crosshatch striping.
  • Privately owned or leased residential parking bays.

Can I Park In Residential Parking With A Disability Placard?

It is illegal for a disability permit holder to park in a residential parking space if the space is owned or leased by a specific person or address that has paid to have sole custody of that space.

Can I Park In Private Disabled Parking Bays With A Disability Placard?

Disabled permit holders can park in private disabled parking bays under certain circumstances:

  • Permit holders can park in disabled bays in private residential garages if they live in the building, or are visiting somebody who lives in the building that the garage serves.
  • Disabled parking spaces on private property can be reserved for employees and patrons of a business that owns the property. In this case, permit holders who are not connected to the business that owns the lot cannot park in the private disabled bays.

Disability residential parking bays that are located on public streets outside homes can be used by any disabled permit holders, because a disability permit entitles its holder to park in any designated disabled space. But remember: only park in residential disabled bays when absolutely necessary – for example, if you are visiting somebody who lives nearby.

cars parked on street
Image by Parker Gibbons on Unsplash: Can I get residential disabled parking?

Can I Get Residential Disabled Parking?

You can apply for residential disabled parking near your home, either on-street or in your private parking garage. To apply for a residential disabled parking space near your home, you should contact your local disabled parking authorities or city planning authorities. Just remember that the disabled space that is installed near your home will be for any disabled permit holder to use and you will not be able to reserve it.

How Do You Apply For A Disability Placard?

If you don’t yet have a disability placard, you can apply for one by visiting the Dr. Handicap online clinic. At the clinic, you will have a video consultation with a medical professional who will certify your Department of Motor Vehicles application.

Featured image by Daniel Frank on Pexels

Is There Anywhere I Can’t Park With My Disabled Parking Permit?

Can you park anywhere with a disability placard? This is a question that gets asked a lot – especially by people who are relatively new to disabled parking, or who are about to apply for their very first disabled permit.

Today we will explore how disabled parking rules and regulations can vary state by state, and find out exactly where a disabled parking permit entitles its holder to park.

Is Disabled Parking A Federal Law?

Yes, disabled parking is a federal law. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) specifies the main details that all states must adhere to in their disabled parking programs.

Disabled Parking Rules Vary By State

While all states’ disabled parking programs adhere to ADA rules, all states, and even jurisdictions within states, have their own disabled parking programs. Often, these different programs vary in their fine details. For this reason, it’s crucial that you research and understand the specific disabled parking rules in your area and in any area you intend to visit.

double lines parking space
Image by aitoff on Pixabay: Is there anywhere I can’t park with my disabled parking permit?

Is There Anywhere I Can’t Park With My Disabled Parking Permit?

So, can people with a disabled parking permit park anywhere? The short answer to this question is… no, they can’t. People who hold a disabled parking permit still need to adhere to local parking laws.

Disabled parking permits do not entitle their holder to disobey state or local parking laws – nor do they necessarily exempt their holder from paying parking fees.

It’s illegal for disabled permit-holders to park in the following places:

  • In a zone where the law or ordinance prohibits stopping, parking, or standing of all vehicles.
  • In a zone the law or ordinance reserves for special types of vehicles, such as vehicles involved in commercial loading or passenger loading.
  • In a zone the law or ordinance reserves for the parking of a vehicle that is involved in the operation of a street vending business.
  • In the loading and unloading area of a disabled space (these areas are marked by blue crosshatch striping).

Some states, such as California, operate a color-coded curb system. In California, disabled permit holders may not park:

  • In spaces marked with a crosshatched pattern next to a parking space with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol). These spaces are for wheelchair and wheelchair lift access.
  • Next to red curbs, which indicate no stopping, standing, or parking.
  • Next to yellow curbs, which are for commercial vehicles to load and unload passengers or freight.
  • Next to white curbs, which are for loading and unloading passengers or depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox.

Where Can You Park With A Disability Placard?

In all US states and jurisdictions, a disability placard holder can park for free and for an unlimited time in any designated disabled parking space. These spaces are signposted with the International Symbol of Access. In several jurisdictions, permit holders are also entitled to park in metered, on-street spaces for free for varying amounts of time.

Can You Park Free At A Meter With A Disability Placard?

Texas and Washington State are typical of most states in allowing disabled permit holders to park for free and for an unlimited time in metered, time-restricted on-street spaces. In several states, such as Virginia, permit holders can park for up to four hours in metered or time-restricted spaces without paying a fee.

Some states, such as Illinois, have different placards for people who are meter-exempt and people who are disabled but are not meter-exempt. In New York City, you can park for free at most curbsides on city streets if you have an NYC Parking Permit for People with Disabilities (PPPD). These permits are available to residents and visitors to New York City who are permanently disabled.

on street parking
Image by Yu on Unsplash: Can you park free at a meter with a disability placard?

Residential Disabled Parking Spaces

In all states, you can request a disabled parking space be installed near your home.

In some states, such as Pennsylvania, each local municipality is responsible for installing requested residential disabled spaces in front of homes.

In other jurisdictions, for example, the Chicago metropolitan area, there is an official program for applying for residential disabled spaces.

Check The Disabled Parking Rules In Your Jurisdiction

As you can see, disabled parking rules can be quite different in different jurisdictions. It’s important to always be sure you know the rules in your jurisdiction and in any jurisdiction you will be visiting.

How To Get A Disabled Parking Permit

You can get a disabled parking permit by visiting the Dr. Handicap online clinic. There, you’ll have a telemedicine consultation with a medical professional who will verify your suitability for disabled parking and complete a DMV application for your state.

Featured image by Erik Mclean on Pexels

Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Placard In Arkansas

If you’re living in Arkansas, you know that this beautiful midwestern state is famous for its hot springs, agriculture, and lakes. But to best enjoy all the state has to offer as a disabled driver, it helps if you can use accessible parking.

How do you get a disabled parking permit in Arkansas? As with most states, the process is luckily very straightforward, whether you need a disabled parking placard on a permanent or temporary basis.

The first step is working out if you’re eligible for a disability permit, which will allow you to legally park in any handicapped parking space throughout the state. Here’s a guide to help you understand which conditions qualify, plus how you can apply.

waterfall in arkansas
Image by Claud Richmond on Unsplash: Arkansas drivers can better access the state’s parks and attractions with an accessible parking pass.

What are the qualifying conditions for a disabled parking placard in Arkansas?

To qualify for a disabled permit, drivers must either have a disability or be a carer or driver for someone with a disability. In most cases, a caregiver can drive a car and park in a disabled space, as long as they have the disabled passenger in the vehicle and clearly display their placard.

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration sets out the qualifying conditions for drivers in the state. To be eligible for a permit, you (or your passenger) must meet at least one of the following conditions:

  • Unable to walk more than 100 feet without needing to stop and rest
  • Unable to walk without a walking aid, such as crutches, a cane, a brace, a wheelchair, a prosthetic device, or the help of another person
  • Require use of a portable oxygen device
  • A Class III or Class IV cardiac condition, as categorized by the American Heart Association, or another chronic heart condition
  • Limited lung capacity due to lung disease
  • Amputation
  • A genetic condition that impacts your ability to walk
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • A spinal cord injury
  • Spina bifida
  • Any other health condition that causes impaired mobility, as specified by a medical professional

Note that military veterans are also able to qualify for Disabled Veteran Specialty Plates, which allows drivers who are disabled as a result of their service to park in disabled spaces. Your local Veterans Administration can help you apply.

How do I know if I’m eligible?

Unsure if your disability is eligible? In that case, the best thing you can do is talk to a health professional, such as your family doctor or specialist, or arrange a telehealth consultation.

Because the state of Arkansas requires medical approval for all disability permits, you’ll need to have a chat with a doctor anyway as part of the application process.

What if my health condition is only temporary?

The state of Arkansas offers both permanent and temporary parking placards. For those with a permanent disability, a permanent placard is valid for up to four years before it needs to be renewed.

However, drivers who are temporarily disabled or injured, such as someone recovering from surgery or an accident, can apply for a temporary placard, which is valid for up to three months.

If you still need assistance after three months, you can reapply for a new placard. Both permanent and temporary placards are free, so you won’t need to pay an application fee.

person in wheelchair using phone
Image by SHVETS production on Pexels: You can find a copy of the Arkansas disabled parking permit application online.

How do I apply for my Arkansas disabled parking permit?

Once you’re ready to get started, download a copy of the Arkansas disability placard form. This is officially called the Application for Persons with a Disability License Plates (Form 10-366).

As the driver, you’ll need to make an appointment with a medical professional to complete part of the form on your behalf. This is required to ensure all applicants have a genuine need for a disability permit. Don’t worry though, as this process shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. Essentially, the doctor has to specify which medical condition you have, then they’ll have to sign and date the form.

After your application is complete, you can send it in by mail or in person at any Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles. You’ll also need to show proof of identification, which can include your Social Security number or your Arkansas license or state ID card.

You can learn more about the Arkansas handicap placard application process here.

Where can I park with my new disabled parking placard?

After you’ve obtained your new placard, you’re ready to go! All you need to do is ensure you display your placard on your rear-view mirror when parked. Arkansas disabled parking laws state that you can park in any disabled space as long as your placard is displayed. The placard is only for yourself, so you can’t loan it out to friends or family – fines apply for improper use.

If you or a loved one have any questions about the application process, we are here to help! Get in touch today.

Featured image by Brandon Johnson on Unsplash

Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Placard In Colorado

Today we’re here to talk about all things disabled parking in Colorado! Let’s go over the different types of permits and the specific qualifying conditions that entitle a person to get a Colorado disabled parking permit.

What Do You Need To Get A Disability Placard In Colorado?

People with various categories of disabilities qualify for a disabled parking permit in Colorado. Disabilities that qualify for Colorado disabled parking are defined as follows:

  • Permanent: A condition that is not expected to change within a person’s lifetime.
  • Extended: A condition that is not expected to change within 30 months after the issuance of plates or placards.
  • Temporary: A condition that is expected to last less than 30 months after the issuance of plates or placards.
  • Short Term: A condition that is not expected to last more than 90 days after the issuance of a placard.
aerial view of denver colorado
Image by Andrew Coop on Unsplash: What are the qualifying conditions for a disabled parking placard in Colorado? Read on to find out.

What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Placard In Colorado?

So, what conditions qualify for disabled parking in Colorado? A person will qualify if they are disabled in one or more of the following ways:

  • They cannot walk 200 feet without needing to stop to rest.
  • They cannot walk without the use of an assistive device such as a crutch, cane, brace, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or another person.
  • They are restricted by lung disease to such an extent that their forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than sixty mm/hg on room air or at rest.
  • They use portable oxygen.
  • They have a cardiac condition that is classified as Class III or IV by the American Heart Association.
  • They have a severely limited ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.

What Types Of Disabled Parking Permits Are Available In Colorado?

The following types of disabled parking permits are available in Colorado:

  • Three-Year Disabled Placard or Plates – for people with extended or permanent disabilities.
  • Temporary Disabled Placard – for people with short-term disabilities.
  • Remuneration-Exempt Disability Placard – for people who have lost fine motor control in both hands; are unable to reach a height of 48 inches from the ground due to lack of finger, hand, or upper extremity strength or mobility; or are unable to reach a parking meter due to the use of a wheelchair or other ambulatory device.
  • Disabled Veterans license plates

How Do You Get A Disabled Parking Permit In Colorado?

So, how do you make a disability placard application in Colorado? Fortunately, it is a quick and easy process. Firstly, visit the Dr. Handicap online clinic and schedule a video consultation with a medical professional. Both you and the medical professional will complete the relevant sections of an application form.

Completed application forms must be submitted to the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles. In Colorado, applications can be submitted in person, by mail, or through the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles website.

Who Can Certify An Application For A Disability Placard Application in Colorado?

The following medical professionals can certify an application for a disabled parking permit in Colorado:

  • Licensed physician
  • Commissioned Medical Officer of the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Public Health Service, and/or the U.S. Veterans Administration
  • Advanced Practice Nurse
  • Physician’s Assistant
  • Podiatrist
  • Chiropractor (short-term permit only)
  • Physical Therapist (short-term permit only)

When Does A Disabled Parking Permit Expire In Colorado?

Colorado three-year disabled permits expire, as the name suggests, after three years. Colorado temporary placards expire after 90 days. Temporary placards can only be renewed once.

How Do You Renew A Disabled Permit In Colorado?

Once your Colorado disabled parking permit expires, you can renew it by submitting an application form to the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. There is no fee to renew Colorado disabled placards.

New medical certification is required when renewing if the applicant has a temporary or short-term disability. People with a permanent disability need to get medical certification on every third renewal.

doctor in lab coat with stethescope
Image by Gustavo Fring on Pexels: Who can certify an application for a disability placard application in Colorado?

What Are The Colorado Disabled Parking Laws?

Colorado disabled parking laws allow a permit holder to park in any designated disabled parking space in the state. Holders of out-of-state disabled permits are also entitled to use Colorado disabled parking infrastructure.

Where Can You Use A Colorado Disabled Parking Permit?

Colorado disabled parking permits are available in all US states, all US overseas territories, and the following countries:

  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • UK
  • EU
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • New Zealand

Featured image by Arpan Parikh on Pexels