Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Permit: Loss Of Mobility
A recent report on disability statistics revealed that 13% of American citizens are classified as having a disability of some sort. That’s approximately one in every ten people. If you have a physical impairment but you’re still able to drive, you may wonder whether you would qualify for a disabled parking permit. Such a permit could make life a little easier for you as it would give you access to disabled parking spots, which are required by law in every parking lot.
One of the qualifying conditions for such a permit – and indeed one of the most prevalent ones – is loss of mobility. The definition of loss of mobility, in this case, is if you are unable to walk a short distance unaided or without needing to take a rest. “Unaided” means without the use of a walking cane or frame, crutches, or a wheelchair for example. The required distance does vary from state to state; in some places it’s 50 feet and in others it’s 200 feet. The bottom line, however, is that your physician will most likely approve you for a disabled parking permit if it’s evident to them that you’re simply not able to comfortably walk long distances.
Limited mobility can be the result of many different conditions, such as obesity, arthritis (both osteo and rheumatoid), and bad cases of asthma. If you suffer from any of these disabilities, it’s quite possible that you can’t walk very far on your own. Other conditions that might qualify you for a disabled parking badge include serious illnesses such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and even inflammatory bowel disease. Any of these restrictive disorders could affect your ability to walk more than a short distance.
It’s not just illnesses or conditions that can cause loss of mobility and therefore impede your walking. An accident or serious injury that has affected your spinal cord in some way to the extent that you suffer from muscle weakness, tremors, or even partial paralysis would almost certainly mean that you qualify for a disabled parking permit.
In addition to the more obvious impairments, there are also several not-so-well-known disabilities that can cause restricted mobility. These include certain severe allergies and also deficiencies – vitamin B12, for example.
If any of the above applies to you and you have reduced or complete loss of mobility, then it would be a good move for you to see if you might qualify for a disabled parking permit. The simplest way to do this is to apply online with Dr Handicap for an evaluation by one of our in-house specialists. You don’t need to leave your house to do this; it can be done from the comfort of your own home via a video call. It’s a relaxed and stress-free process, and it’s good to know that you can be assessed without the need to travel.
The advantages of owning a disabled parking badge are many. Disabled parking spots are required by law under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Federal and state laws regulate the provision of such parking spaces; generally at least one disabled space must be available in any parking lot that is open to the public. Guidelines also exist on the minimum number required, which is usually one space per every 25 spaces. Certain facilities – such as health care centers, for example – are obliged to supply more than the minimum disabled parking spots.
The Disabilities Act also states that these special parking spaces must be a minimum width, which is a great help if you need help getting in or out of your car or if you have a wheelchair to load and unload. The minimum width that is required is 2440mm. Furthermore, the Act also requires that convenient aisles must be available from the disabled parking spots to the building or facility entrance that’s close by. This provides an accessible route for you if you can only walk a short distance or if you require the use of a wheelchair or a walking aid.
It’s worth noting that a disabled parking badge is not only for use by you as a driver; it can be also be used in a neighbor’s or relative’s car where you are the passenger. This is another bonus for citizens with restricted mobility, as you can still make use of disabled parking spots even if you’re not actually driving.
So if you suffer from a condition or illness which has resulted in a loss of mobility, but you can still drive and/or be a passenger in a car, then apply online now to see if you qualify for a disabled parking permit. If approved, you may well find that your life becomes a little more manageable.