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In Arkansas, caregivers are allowed to use a disability parking tag when assisting individuals who have been deemed eligible for such a tag due to their disability.
This provision ensures that caregivers can provide the necessary support by parking closer to buildings and facilities, facilitating easier access for the individual with a disability. Here’s how it works:
Caregiver Use of Disability Parking Tags
For the Individual: The handicap parking placard online is issued in the name of the person with the disability, not the caregiver. This means that the eligibility is tied to the individual's condition and needs.
Caregiver Assistance: When a caregiver is driving the individual with a disability or assisting them in any capacity that requires parking, the caregiver can use the disabled parking permit to park in designated spaces.
Conditions for Use
Presence of the Individual: It's crucial that the disability parking tag is used only when the individual with the disability is being transported or assisted. The tag is not meant for the caregiver's personal use in the absence of the individual with a disability.
Proper Display: The disability parking tag should be properly displayed according to Arkansas regulations, typically hanging from the rearview mirror or placed on the dashboard, when the vehicle is parked in a designated disability parking space.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Misuse Penalties: Misuse of a disability parking tag, such as a caregiver using it for personal convenience when the individual with a disability is not present, can result in fines and penalties. It's important to adhere strictly to the intended use to avoid legal consequences.
Ethical Use: Caregivers are encouraged to use the parking privileges ethically, keeping in mind that these spaces are designed to provide necessary access to individuals with mobility challenges.
Application and Documentation
Application Process: If a caregiver needs to obtain a disability parking tag on behalf of an individual with a disability, the application must still be completed with the individual's information and medical certification that validates the need for the tag.
Documentation for Caregivers: While the tag is issued in the name of the individual with a disability, caregivers may need to have documentation or proof that they are transporting or assisting the eligible individual, especially if questioned by authorities.
By allowing caregivers to use disability parking tags under specific conditions, Arkansas ensures that individuals with disabilities receive the necessary support and access, promoting their well-being and independence.
