3 Phone Safety Tips For Handicap Drivers

For every driver, including disabled drivers, the day you get your license is memorable. After all, it gives you the freedom to go where you want, when you want. For many disabled drivers, the biggest distraction when driving was the radio or CD player for many years, but today things are different. Everyone has a smartphone – and that smartphone can create dangerous driving situations.

Staying safe on the road should be the number one priority for anyone behind the wheel. Here are a few top phone safety tips for handicap drivers.

What Should You Do With Your Phone While Driving?

Having your phone with you when you’re on the road gives you peace of mind. After all, if something were to happen, it’s great to be able to call for help. No one is saying that to stay safe you shouldn’t have your phone with you – it’s what you do with your phone while driving that makes a difference when it comes to safety.

Your smartphone is, well, smart. It has several features you can use to help you stay safe on the road, and you should learn to use them. For starters, you should find your phone’s Do Not Disturb setting and use it before you get on the road. This setting won’t allow you to get any notifications or calls as you drive. And while you may worry about missing calls, it’s one of the best things you can do to prevent distraction and accidents when you’re behind the wheel.

driver getting passenger to use phone while they drive — *Image by Talles Alves on Unsplash: What is the safest way to make a phone call when driving? Have a friend do it for you!*

You can also use hands-free devices while driving. So what does hands-free cell phone mean, exactly? It means that you can place or take a call without using your hands, an approach that can help to reduce distracted driving. Many newer cars have a display that allows you to hook up your phone and take or make calls with your voice only when driving. A Bluetooth device is another option. Can you talk on Bluetooth while driving? Yes, you can, but you should try to keep conversations to a minimum while on the road.

If you’re driving with someone else, put them in charge of the phone! They can be your co-pilot and take control of anything you need to do on your phone while you’re behind the wheel. If you don’t have a passenger with you, do everything you need on your phone before you leave and then place it somewhere safe where it won’t distract you while you’re driving.

Top 3 Things You Shouldn’t Do When Driving

Distracted driving is extremely dangerous. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, 1.6 million car accidents each year are caused by distracted driving. That’s why it’s vital to do what you can to reduce how distracted you are in the car. Make sure you:

Never text and drive. Texting while driving is the cause behind one quarter of car accidents. In many states, it’s also illegal, so make sure to know the laws where you are.
Don’t eat while driving. Eating is another way you can become distracted while driving. Make sure only to eat in your car when it’s not in motion (which will probably help you from spilling food too!).
Don’t use social media. Never use your phone to view social media, take pictures, or film video when driving. Keep your eyes on the road and make sure driving has your full attention, not your newest Snapchat filter.

person taking photo with phone while driving — *Image by Marlon Lara on Unsplash: What should you do with your phone while driving? Definitely NOT this.*

What Is The Safest Way to Make a Call When Driving?

If you do have to make or take a call while driving, the safest way to do so is by using the hands-free methods discussed above. However, be sure you are legally allowed to do this where you live before you set things up to go hands-free.

If you live in a place where talking on the phone in any way is a no-no, always safely find a place to pull off the road and park while you take any call. Better still, simply call them back or do so yourself after you’ve reached your destination.

Remember, driving is a privilege and a responsibility. You have the privilege to drive as long as you do it in a responsible way that takes into account your safety and the safety of others on the road. Your phone will always be there, as will your social media and anyone who calls. Don’t put yourself at risk – be smart with your smartphone when behind the wheel!

Featured image by Eugene Chystiakov on Unsplash

Handicap Parking As An Employee: All You Need To Know

Parking is often a perk of employment. In many cases, employees are provided with a place to park while they’re on the job. But what does this mean if you’re disabled?

Handicap parking as an employee is something protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Still, many people have questions about how they should be accommodated by their employer and what types of things must be provided.

Here’s what you need to know about employers accommodating people with disabilities as it relates to providing parking for employees while they’re on the job.

Do Employers Have To Provide Parking For Disabled Employees?

Any business with more than 15 employees has to abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when it comes to accommodating disabilities. Under the ADA, there are specific requirements they must follow – including parking. Of course, some factors influence this, such as whether or not the employer is in control of the parking lot and whether or not providing you with parking falls into the category of reasonable accommodation if you have a disability.

disabled parking signage — *Image by Possessed Photography on Unsplash: Handicap parking as an employee can get complicated. Talk to your employer for help.*

If your employer owns and operates the parking lot you park in, and you are disabled, there are certain standards they must operate under to ensure they are in compliance with the ADA. For example, they must have a certain quantity of parking spaces in the lot accessible for employees with disabilities, and must provide accessible parking spaces if it’s a reasonable accommodation for someone with a disability that they employ.

If an employer does not own a parking lot and therefore does not offer parking as a perk to its employees, under the ADA they generally do not have to provide accessible parking to employees with disabilities. Whatever entity does control the parking where employees park is generally responsible for providing accessible parking under the ADA.

What Percentage of Parking Should Be Disabled?

There are standards set forth by the ADA as to how many accessible parking spaces must be in a lot. The number of accessible spaces is determined by the full number of spaces in the parking lot. For example, a parking lot with up to 25 parking spaces must have at least one accessible van space. A lot with between 25 and 50 spaces must have at least one standard accessible space and one accessible space for a van. The number goes all the way up to lots that have 300 total spaces, of which at least seven must be accessible.

In addition to the overall number of spots, these lots must also provide an access aisle to an accessible route – i.e. one that can provide an unobstructed and continuous route to the facility the parking lot serves.

What If There Aren’t Enough Accessible Parking Spaces?

In some circumstances, there may be more employees needing disabled parking than there are designated accessible spots in the lot. When this happens, what do you do?

Employers have to take into consideration what each employee needs to determine if accessible parking is really an accommodation they require. If it places undue hardship on the employer, the ADA does allow them to turn down a request for accommodations.

disabled parking spots with blue lines — *mage by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash: Accommodating employees with disabilities is guaranteed by the law, but whether that includes parking depends on a few factors.*

Ultimately, it’s up to the employer to define what a reasonable accommodation for a disability is when it comes to work. If they do not provide parking, then they may be able to come up with alternatives that provide designated or accessible parking to allow the employee with a disability to continue their employment.

It’s important to also understand that even if you have a disabled parking placard, an employer who does not provide parking as a perk of employment does not have to automatically provide parking for you, unless it can be negotiated as part of what is considered a reasonable accommodation under the ADA.

You have rights as a disabled person to be able to access parking, but the ins and outs of the laws that govern this type of thing can be a bit tricky. Your best bet is to discuss your accommodations with your employer to decide what solution best fits everyone involved.

Featured image by Josh Sorenson on Pexels

How Do I Get A Handicap Parking Permit In Long Island?

Long Island is a densely populated island in eastern New York State. The New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens sit on its west side, with the suburban counties of Nassau and Suffolk sit on its east.

Long Island residents and visitors with disabilities can use New York State’s handicap parking infrastructure to gain access to areas, buildings, and amenities. People who are new to handicap parking in Long Island tend to have several questions, such as…

How do I get a handicap parking permit in Long Island? What types of handicap parking permits are available in Long Island? How do you apply for a disability parking permit in Long Island? And, what are Long Island handicap parking permit rules?

Let’s go through the answers to these important questions.

long island new york — *Image by Pierre Bouyer on Unsplash: What types of handicap parking permits are available in Long Island, NY?*

What Types Of Handicap Parking Permits Are Available In Long Island, NY?

The following types of disabled parking permits are available in Long Island:

Permanent disabled parking placard
Permanent disabled parking license plate
Temporary placard
Disabled Veterans license plate

New York City Disabled Permit

There is also an NYC PPPD permit available that entitles its holder to park in metered, on-street spaces in New York City for free. This permit allows you to park on city streets in the five boroughs of NYC, but is not valid in other New York State cities or jurisdictions.

Where Is A NYS Handicap Parking Permit Valid?

New York State handicap parking permits are valid in all US states and overseas territories, and also in:

Canada
Mexico
UK
EU
Australia
New Zealand
Japan

How Do You Apply For A Disability Parking Permit In Long Island, NY?

So, how do I get a handicap parking permit in Long Island?

To get a disabled parking permit in Long Island, visit the Dr. Handicap online clinic and have a video consultation with a New York State medical professional. The professional will verify your suitability for a disabled parking permit and then complete the relevant sections of an application form. You will then complete the application form and submit it to your local disabled parking authorities.

Unlike in most states, in New York, it is not the local DMV that issues disabled parking permits.

If you are applying for a handicap parking permit in Suffolk County, NY you should contact your local city, town, or village hall to find out where your nearest issuing agent is. If you are applying for a permit in Nassau County, NY you should submit your application to the Nassau County Office of the Physically Challenged.

If you are applying for a handicap permit in New York City boroughs of Queens or Brooklyn, you will submit your application to:

NYC Department of Transportation, Permits and Customer Service
30-30 Thomson Avenue, 2nd Floor
Long Island City
NY 11101-3045

brooklyn bridge — *Image by* *Free-Photos* on *Pixabay: How do I get a handicap parking permit in Long Island?*

What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Permit In Long Island?

To qualify for a permanent disabled parking permit in Long Island, a person must have one of the following disabilities:

They are not able to walk 200 ft without needing to stop to rest
They have limited or no use of one or both legs
They are legally blind
They have a neuromuscular dysfunction
They have a Class III or IV cardiac condition
They have an orthopedic, arthritic, or neurological condition
They have a lung disease
They use a portable oxygen tank
They have a physical or mental impairment that is not listed but that constitutes an equal degree of disability and hardship

To qualify for a temporary disabled parking permit in Long Island, a person must have a condition that means that they cannot walk without the aid of an assistive device such as a wheelchair, cane, crutch, walker, brace, prosthetic device, or another person.

Who Can Verify An Application For A Disabled Permit In Long Island?

The following medical professionals can verify an application for disabled parking in Long Island:

Medical doctor
Doctor of osteopathy
Physician assistant
Nurse practitioner
Doctor of podiatric medicine
Optometrist

Long Island Handicap Parking Permit Rules

The holder of a disabled parking permit in Long Island can park in any designated disabled parking space and in metered, on-street spaces for free in some jurisdictions. To park in metered, on-street spaces for free in Brooklyn and Queens, a person must also hold an NYC PPPD permit.

Featured image by Tatiana Rodriguez on Unsplash

How Do I Renew My Handicap Parking Permit In Florida?

Florida’s disabled parking infrastructure makes the Sunshine State accessible to disabled residents and visitors. Florida’s handicap parking program is well-run and easy to navigate.

In order to get the most value from the Florida disabled parking program and your handicap parking permit, it is important to fully understand Florida disabled parking rules. When everybody understands and abides by the rules, the program can run efficiently and everybody can get the benefits they deserve.

An important responsibility that comes with holding a Florida disabled parking permit is knowing when to get it renewed. It is illegal to use an expired Florida handicap parking permit, so it’s essential to get your permit renewed before it expires.

Today we’ll answer several questions about renewing a Florida handicap parking permit, including… How do I renew my handicap parking permit in Florida? How often do you need to renew your disabled parking placard in Florida? Can I renew my handicap placard online in Florida?

miami florida at night — *Image by* *MustangJoe* on *Pixabay: When can I renew my handicap placard in Florida?*

Florida Disabled Parking Renewal

Every type of Florida disabled parking permit has an expiry date – even “permanent” placards expire. But once you understand the rules and process involved, renewing your Florida handicap permit is a simple and quick process.

How Often Do You Need To Renew Your Disabled Parking Placard In Florida?

All Florida permits need to be renewed before they expire. Permanent disabled parking permits in Florida expire after four years. They must be renewed every four years before the permit holder’s birthday. Temporary permits expire after six months. They cannot be renewed, but you can apply for a new temporary permit when your current one expires.

When Can I Renew My Handicap Placard In Florida?

You can renew your Florida handicap permit every four years. You will receive a renewal notice a few weeks prior to your permit expiring. Once you receive your renewal notice, you should apply for your new permit.

How Do I Renew My Handicap Parking Permit In Florida?

To renew your handicap parking permit in Florida, you must complete an application form and submit it, along with your renewal notice, to your local tax collector’s office by mail or in person.

Can I Renew My Handicap Placard Online In Florida?

Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to renew your handicap placard online in Florida.

What Costs Are Involved In Renewing A Florida Handicap Parking Permit?

Renewing your Florida permanent disabled parking permit is free. If you apply for a temporary permit within 12 months of applying for your previous temporary permit, it is also free.

How Do I Replace A Lost, Stolen, Or Damaged Florida Handicap Permit?

If your disabled parking permit is lost, stolen, or damaged, submit an application form along with an application for replacement form to your local tax collector’s office to get a replacement.

beachfront city florida — *Image by* *tammon* on *Pixabay: How do I renew my handicap parking permit in Florida?*

What Types Of Disabled Parking Permits Are Available In Florida?

In Florida, the following types of disabled parking permits are available:

Permanent placard
Permanent license plate
Temporary placard
Disabled Veterans license plate
Organizational permit

What Are The Qualifying Conditions For Disabled Parking In Florida?

To qualify for any type of Florida disabled parking permit, a person must have one of the following disabilities:

They cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest
They cannot walk without the use of or assistance from a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, or another assistive device, or without the assistance of another person
They are a permanent wheelchair user
They have lung disease to the extent that their forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for 1 second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter or the person’s arterial oxygen is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest
They use a portable oxygen tank
They have a cardiac condition to the extent that their functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association
They have severely limited ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition
They are legally blind

Where Can I Use My Florida Disabled Parking Permit?

Florida disabled parking permits are valid in every US state, every US overseas territory, and in Canada, Mexico, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

Featured image by Julie Tupas on Unsplash

Do Handicap Spots Have To Have Blue Lines?

Accessible parking is vital to many people, especially those with a disability that impacts mobility. If you’re new to the world of accessible parking, then you may have a lot of questions. “Do handicap spots have to have blue lines?” is just one of the many things that are important to know for those who utilize disabled parking. There are many things to understand about the different visual designation requirements for disabled parking spaces.

If you’re wondering how to know if a spot is a handicap parking spot, then keep reading. That and many other questions will be answered here!

The ADA and You

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), in conjunction with state laws, requires public agencies and private businesses to provide accessible parking. The number of spaces in each lot, as well as how they are marked, is dictated by the ADA, which is why signage is universal. Even older lots built before the law took effect to have to meet these requirements if lot is upgraded or a new one is built.

The location of disabled parking spots is also specified by law. They must be in a location that allows the most accessible and shortest route to a building. They also have to be a minimum of eight feet wide and have an aisle adjacent that is five feet wide; spots accessible for handicap vans must be 11 feet wide. A path to the building must also be provided.

disabled parking symbols and signage — *Image by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash: What do blue lines in a parking lot mean? It means you shouldn’t park there!*

Do Handicap Signs Have To Be Blue?

Under the ADA, every disabled parking space has to be properly designated with signage. These signs must have the “Universal Symbol of Accessibility” on them – the standard image that comes to mind when you think about disabled parking spaces of a person in a wheelchair: a blue sign with white letters and symbols.

These signs must be blue – it’s the universal color so that they are recognizable no matter where you are in the United States. Aside from color, they also must be at least five feet off the ground so they can be seen even when a car is parked in the space. Spaces for accessible vans must say “van accessible” on the sign.

What Are The Yellow Lines Next To Handicapped Parking?

You may also have noticed yellow or blue lines next to disabled parking spots. What are those? The explanation is fairly straightforward: these are stripes that denote no one should park there because the extra space is needed in order for wheelchair users to deploy a ramp to get out of their van, or to have easier access in and out of their vehicle when transferring to and from their wheelchair.

Remember, if you see yellow or blue stripes in parking lots, those are for the use of disabled persons who may need the extra space to get in and out of their vehicles. They are not parking spots, and they are not areas where you can leave shopping carts or otherwise block in any fashion.

What If There’s No Handicap Parking Sign?

You may come across parking spaces that have handicap symbols printed on the ground but no other signage denoting that it is a handicap parking spot. This is against the ADA rules, as every parking space for disabled persons is supposed to be marked by a sign. There are no regulations for symbols on the pavement.

There are exceptions to signage laws under the ADA for parking lots that have four or fewer parking spaces. Residential lots with assigned parking spots also do not need to have signage denoting spaces as handicap parking spaces.

disabled parking universal access symbol — *Image by AbsolutVision on Unsplash: How do you know if a spot is handicap parking? This Universal Symbol is the key!*

The Americans with Disabilities Act is enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice. Violations of the ADA rules when it comes to parking spots against both businesses and individuals who don’t comply with parking requirements can be severe. There are civil penalties for non-compliance up to $150,000 – and that’s just for a first violation. The best rule of thumb if you own or operate a business or other public facility under the purview of the ADA is to understand the laws and follow them to the letter.

Disabled parking is very important to those who need it, and luckily, it’s pretty easy to spot the signs that let those with disabilities know where they can park for the best access.

Featured image by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash