Handicap parking at WDW question

[lsayd]

When we were at WDW last Sept. with my mother who uses a wheelchair we had no problem parking in the handicapped section of parking lots at the parks without a placard since it was not crowded (were there 9/14 - 22, it was completely empty as you can imagine). One of the parking attendants did tell us we should have a placard, but under the present circumstances it was not a problem. So - we will be going again over Christmas, which will be a crowded time. Is there anyway to get a temporary placard for the time we will be on vacation? Unfortunately, my mother does not drive, so we would have to get it. Any advice would be extremely helpful!

 

[Talking Hands]

Without a handicapped placard you risk being ticketed. Just because your mother doesn't drive doesn't mean she cannot get a placard. She should speak with her doctor about obtaining one which can be used in whatever car she is riding in. You cannot obtain one as you are not the one who is handicapped. It goes with the person not the car.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would agree with Lisa, without a placard you are liable for a (very expensive) ticket. You might check the web site for your state's Motor Vehicles Department and print out the forms and instructions for the placard for her doctor to complete. She would have to go with you to a DMV office as it can not be issued to you. I know mine has the expiration date on both sides, and on the side normally facing in has both my name and birth date. You would be able to carry it with you and use it whenever needed, not only at Disney World.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the others.
We have also been told that you risk getting a ticket if you park in the handicapped area without having a parking permit.
My DD is the person with a disability in our party. She has had a handicapped parking permit since she was 3 years old, so obviously no need to be able to have a license to get one.

A handicapped permit would be useful to you any time you are traveling with your mother - if you pick her up to take her shopping, etc.

 

[lsayd]

I'm printing the form as I write this. Thank you all for your replies.

 

[travelitis]

Would you still get a ticket at WDW? I can understand at other places, but if you don't have a placard you have to explain to a CM why before you can proceed to the lot. Last time we did that all week, and they let us park there no problem because we were transporting an ECV. My doc wouldn't sign the paperwork for a temporary permit because my condition, while it rendered me unable to walk into a store and buy a gallon of milk, was not life threatening. Of course, I don't have anything good to say about the quality of medical offered by this doctor and didn't go back to him.

 

[Talking Hands]

Yes you can still get a ticket on Disney property. They are patrolled by county police. They may say you can park there but if push comes to shove and a handicapped person complains they will have to ticket you. And honestly if I come in to park and there are a bunch of spots occupied by cars without placards and no spot available to me I will complain.
Btw the criteria for a handicapped placard doesn't require a life threatening problem just one that effects mobility to the extent that is interfers with lifes normal events. Like going to the store or the mall. Like being unable to walk more than 200 ft without pain or having to stop and rest.

 

[SueM in MN]

i'm just agreeing with Lisa.
We have been told to make sure our handicapped placard is visible since it is possible (maybe not too likely, but certainly possible) that we could get a ticket if we parked in the handicapped spot without one.
And, your MD is wrong about the handicapped parking permit, as Lisa pointed out. You can go to the website of your state's motor vehicle department and look at the criteria for getting one. You can also print out an application form. People with temporary problems can get a temporary permit.

 

[travelitis]

When we were there the parking wasn't even half full for disabled.

Not all states have the exact same requirements for placards. The form I was given in MN stated that to get one you had to be unable to walk 200 ft. without stopping to rest because it would be life-threatening. So many people who are granted permits do not fit that criteria but really need it. I asked him to grant a temporary one, and he wouldn't. Like I said, I didn't go back to him. At that point 200 ft. for me was excruciatingly painful, but I knew it would improve, and it did. I remember reading the form thinking that it didn't allow for a permit just because of pain and understanding why he didn't sign even though I found it absurd. I have to have the ECV to go to WDW, and my doctor seemed surprised I wasn't on disability, so maybe this one will at least sign for me to have a temp.

Sue, I know you're in MN, but from what I've read, your dd is in a chair, so she'd qualify without this issue. If you can walk, the criteria is different.

I know it's important to adhere to the law and get the placard, but I remember when my best friend had her leg amputated in 6th grade and a policeman didn't have a heart and issued her mom a ticket instead of a warning. They were still reeling from the shock and hadn't had time to think about those details. Just remember that not everyone who doesn't have the placard is a cheater. Gretchen passed away only 6 mos. after finding out she had cancer.

 

[SueM in MN]

Actually, one of the provisions of the ADA was to get all statess to have the same requirements for issuing handicapped parking permits. Some states were very restrictive and others were extremely lenient.
Here is a link the the eligibility qualifications for Minnesota. As you can see, one of the qualifying conditions is not being able to walk for 200 feet because it would be life threatening, but there are other categories, including, not being able to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest (nothing in that one says it has to be life threatening). I know someone who had a parking permit for that reason because of post-polio syndrome.
And there is another one that says can't walk without significant risk of falling. I have a friend who has had several hip replacements and has fallen in the winter, so she has a parking permit which she uses when the weather is bad.
My DD can't walk at all, so she does fit in the category of not being able to walk without the aid of another person or an assistive device. My DD is permanently disabled, but there are temporary permits for people who need a permit, but not forever.
I'm not saying that anyone without a permit is a cheater, but doctors should be doing a better job of understanding who needs a permit and making sure they know how to apply.

 

[faeflora]

My mom had a similar situation with general practioner...she (the doctor) refused to give my mom a handicap parking permit. My mom and I both have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which limits our abilities to walk...I use a wheelchair, she uses a cane now. I strongly suggested she seek a better doctor...she did and now she has a handicap parking placard which in her words.."has been an absolute God send".
I would definitely seek out a new doctor who understands the needed benefits of being able to make the most out of the daily energy that you have.

 

[Michigan]

Also remember if you are not bringing a wheelchair or ECV into the park you will have less walking if you use the TRAM and tell the parking attendant that you need to park at the end next to a TRAM stop.

I always shake my head at all the people that park in the handicap spaces and then their entire party walks in. They are walking more then twice as far.