Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Permit: Lung Or Pulmonary Disorders

Did you know that, according to a recent report on disability statistics, one in ten Americans is classified as having a disability of some sort? The number is likely even higher than this, given that some people will have been missed from the report. If you are one of those people going through life with a disability, it’s comforting to know that the Americans with Disabilities Act is there to protect and to help you. One of the things the Act dictates is that disabled parking spots must be available in all public parking lots. The minimum requirement is one designated spot for every 25 spaces. If you have a disabled parking permit, you will be able to make use of these spots.

There are many medical conditions and impairments that qualify for a handicap parking permit. Although they vary from state to state, some are general throughout the whole country. A lung or pulmonary disorder is one such condition. These disorders include, but are not limited to, conditions such as cystic fibrosis, emphysema, COPD, pulmonary hypertension, and asthma. If you’re suffering from any kind of breathing problem that makes walking more than a short distance challenging, then you will most probably qualify for a disabled parking permit. This includes requiring the use of portable oxygen, which obviously makes walking any distance demanding.

Living with a lung or pulmonary disorder is obviously challenging; owning a disabled parking permit can help make life a little easier to manage. If you drive your own car, you can rest assured that when you arrive at a public parking lot, there will be designated disabled parking spots. These spots are required by law to be a minimum size (at least 96 inches wide), which gives you more space if you have to unload and load a portable oxygen tank, or perhaps a walker or wheelchair.

The Disabilities Act also requires that “convenient aisles must be available in order to provide an accessible route from car to building.” So if you have to walk slowly or you require assistance of some sort, it’s good to know that you can park as close as possible to the place you’re visiting. This is particularly comforting in very hot or very cold climates, where you don’t want to be hanging around outside longer than is absolutely necessary.

Another convenience of owning a handicap parking permit is that you can get one that is portable. It comes in the form of a placard, which hangs inside your car. The benefit of having the permit in a placard format rather than the alternative (specially marked license plates) is that you can use it in any car. The parking permit is awarded to you as the disabled person, so whether you are the driver of your own car, a passenger in your own car, or a passenger in someone else’s car, you can make use of designated parking spots.

You just have to remember to display the permit in the car where it’s visible. If you are disabled through a lung or pulmonary disorder, it’s good to know that you can be a passenger in your own car if you don’t feel like driving, or that you can get a lift from a neighbor or friend and still be able to utilize the disabled parking spots in public parking lots. Even if you usually prefer to drive yourself, it’s handy to have the portable handicap permit just in case you’re not up to driving one day, or a friend wants to take you somewhere in their car. You won’t have to walk long distances or face trouble getting in or out of the car due to lack of space.

To find out if you would qualify for a disabled parking permit, the simplest way is to apply with us online. One of our in-house consultants will talk with you and go through a stress-free assessment of your health and medical condition/s. If the thought of leaving the house and traveling in order to apply for a permit and go through the assessment distresses you, then fear not as we can conduct an evaluation via a voice or video call, so you don’t even need to leave the house! Your condition may not be a “visible” one, but as our specialists will get a full medical evaluation of you and your disability, everything will be covered. Once approved, your handicap permit approval will be sent to you and you will be able to immediately start taking advantage of it as a driver or passenger. So apply online today for your disabled parking permit – it may turn out to be your best decision of the year!