Handicap Parking?

Each State, Province and Country can be different. Here in Ontario Canada one of the following requirements are necessary for what they call an Accessible Parking Permit (APP). Who is eligible for an APP? To qualify for an APP, the individual must be certified by an APP program recognized health practitioner as having one or more of the following conditions: Cannot walk without assistance of another person or a brace, cane, crutch, a lower limb prosthetic device or similar assistive device or who requires the assistance of a wheelchair. Suffers from lung disease to such an extent that forced expiratory volume in one second is less than one litre. Portable oxygen is a medical necessity. Cardiovascular disease impairment classified as Class III or Class IV to standards accepted by the American Heart Association or Class III or IV according to the Canadian Cardiovascular Standard. Severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, musculoskeletal or orthopaedic condition. Visual acuity is 20/200 or poorer in the better eye with or without corrective lenses or whose greatest diameter of the field of vision in both eyes is 20 degrees or less. Condition(s) or functional impairment that severely limits his or her mobility.   UC patients could definitely qualify for the last condition. I have no problem with that. I have seriously considered getting one but I don’t think others would understand. I have been in a continuous flare for over 3 years and why should I be stuck at home because of it. Eva Lou, no one would say that about someone in a wheel chair. Ontario has temporary permits for conditions expected to last 2 – 12 months and permanent ones that must be renewed every 5 years.

I called my college's parking services and they said if I wanted any type of priority parking, I need to register as handicap. I was thinking of getting what they call "lot priority" parking--it's for people who don't have the "typical" handicap and/or don't want to display the handicap placard; it would allow me to choose a couple lots that I would want to park in. But, according to parking services, I still need to apply for a handicap placard. I don't understand why I doctor's note wouldn't suffice--I'll have to call again and double check.

I agree with Paul and Judy--we shouldn't have to miss work or school and bum around at home just b/c we need quick access to bathrooms (if that's going to be the case, then sign me up for surgery pronto). And I don't think any of us would misuse a handicap placard by using it while not in a flare.

I never complain about someone using a handicapped parking sport if they have a proper permit. You never know what there handicap is or if they are merely picking up or dropping off someone with a handicap. My Brother had a boy in a wheelchair and he had a lift in is van. He used to get a lot of strange looks or comment when he was seen without his boy with him, even if he was just picking him up or dropping him off. I just don’t get some peoples attitudes.

MMMNAVY, I can’t believe someone would complain about you using a handicapped stall. Here in Toronto handicapped stalls are not considered for exclusive use by handicapped people. All it means is that the stall is equipped to handle them better. In fact many smaller washrooms have only one stall and it is labeled handicapped. There is no permit or pass required to use it like you need for a handicapped parking spot. I use them all the time with no complaints.