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Qualifying For a Handicap Parking Badge: All You Need To Know
Handicap parking is an essential program for drivers with different disabilities to get accessible parking easily. However, figuring out how to get your disabled parking permit or placard is usually challenging. The program’s rules, regulations, and qualifying conditions or disabilities vary between states. Furthermore, the rules and regulations may vary between localities in a particular state. Applying for your handicap parking permit doesn't have to be extremely difficult. Despite the struggle of getting this permit or placard, it's vital to understand that it's an essential document that'll improve your life quality when driving with a disability. Read through this post to get an insight into everything you need to understand to qualify for the handicap parking permit.
Accessible parking lots have been existing in the US since the mid-1950s. The country had extremely few spaces from the mid-1950s, but the number grew significantly in the late 1960s. Experts attribute the growth of these spaces to the rise of the country’s Civil Right Movement. The movement made society understand the difficulties individuals with disabilities or disadvantaged groups went through. In the ancient days, individuals with disabilities had few special rights and received little help.
With the rise of awareness or knowledge of the benefits of fairness and equality since the 1960s, most local authorities and jurisdictions in the country started making their premises and public building accessible to individuals with mobility issues. However, these changes started taking effect after the federal government intervened and the legislature signed some landmark Acts into law. The federal legislation started by signing the 1968 Architectural Barriers Act and finished off in 1990 with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These Acts help to equal and advocate the rights of handicapped individuals, including accessible parking, which is now part of US law.
Currently, every state in the US has functionally disabled parking permits or placards. The authorities strategically locate the accessible parking spaces near all facilities, buildings, and amenities. Furthermore, they design these spaces to meet or suit the need of individuals with different disabilities.
However, some individuals find these rules confusing due to the states' differences. The state, federal, and local authorities have different regulations and rules for the program. While the federal law cuts across the entire country, each locality and state has unique rules. For instance, the states have different rules on how to qualify and whether you can use out-of-state permits or placards within its borders.
Significantly, most of the differences between the state rules only affect the minor sections, which are barely consequential. However, the major parts, including acquiring, using, and qualifying for the United States handicap parking permit or placard, are usually similar in these states.
You can only qualify for disabled parking in the US after proving your qualifying disability or condition. Despite not having the same qualifying condition list, most conditions or disabilities are similar in these states. Any disability or condition will qualify you for the accessible parking spot in the particular state.
The main group of disabilities or medical conditions that’ll qualify you for accessible parking include; heart diseases, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory complications, and conditions that require you to use a portable oxygen tank. Additionally, being an amputee and having a disability requiring you to use crutches, a wheelchair, or a Zimmer frame, poor eyesight, lupus, acute sensitivity to sunlight, and hearing challenges. Nonetheless, we still have some slight variations within the states for the qualifying conditions or disabilities. Remember, the local doctor you’re consulting will decide if your condition qualifies you for the handicap parking program. After the physician certifies the condition, you can qualify for the permit or placard.
Remember, you can also apply and get a temporary disabled placard in any state. Most states provide these placards to pregnant women and individuals with temporary injuries or illnesses. Your medical physician will be responsible for deciding the appropriate length of time the temporary placard will last.
When you believe you have a qualifying condition for the disabled parking badge in the US, it’ll be wise to start the process by scheduling an appointment with a physician. You can have the appointment online, over the phone, or in person. After the doctor’s examination and certifying your disability, they’ll draft a letter of recommendation.
After getting this letter, you'll attach it to your application form before sending them to your local Department of Motor Vehicles. You can download the form, attach it to the letter of recommendations and post it to your state’s DMV offices, or visit the offices in person to apply.
After the DMV receives your application form and the physician's letter, they'll process it and send you the permit or placard one or two weeks upon approval. The authorities allow you to choose between a special license plate and a badge. The mobile nature of the badges makes them advantageous, as you use them even when traveling in your family member or friend’s vehicle.
Above is a comprehensive guide on everything you need to understand about qualifying for the handicap parking badge or plate. Despite requiring a lot of effort and time, this process is worth it.
