Surprising Facts About Handicap Placards – Not Just for People Who Use Wheelchairs

When people think of handicap placards, they often imagine individuals in wheelchairs as the primary users. However, handicap parking permits serve a much broader range of individuals with disabilities, many of which are invisible to the naked eye. These placards provide crucial accessibility benefits for people dealing with chronic conditions, temporary injuries, mobility limitations, and various other health concerns that impact their ability to walk long distances.

In this article, we will explore some surprising facts about handicap placards, debunk common myths, and explain how individuals with non-wheelchair-related disabilities can qualify for disabled parking permits. We’ll also highlight how HandicapMD.com makes the process of obtaining a placard more accessible and convenient.

1. You Don’t Need to Use a Wheelchair to Qualify for a Handicap Placard

One of the most common misconceptions about handicap placards is that they are only for individuals who use wheelchairs. In reality, many mobility impairments and health conditions qualify someone for a disabled parking permit, even if they can walk independently for short distances.

Many individuals who appear to walk normally may still have chronic pain, respiratory issues, neurological conditions, or balance disorders that make walking long distances a challenge. Some of the qualifying conditions include:

Chronic pain disorders (such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)
Heart conditions (like congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease)
Lung diseases (such as COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis)
Neurological disorders (including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke survivors)
Chronic fatigue syndromes and autoimmune disorders (such as Lupus and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome)
Severe joint or spine injuries
Amputations or prosthetic limb usage

If you have difficulty walking 200 feet without stopping to rest, you may qualify for a handicap parking permit—even if you don’t use a wheelchair.

2. Temporary Handicap Placards Exist for Short-Term Conditions

Many people assume that handicap parking permits are only for individuals with permanent disabilities. However, there are temporary handicap placards available for people recovering from injuries or medical conditions that temporarily limit their mobility.

Some examples of temporary conditions that may qualify for a temporary disabled parking permit include:

Broken bones or fractures (especially in the legs, ankles, or feet)
Recent surgeries (such as knee replacement, hip replacement, or spinal surgery)
Severe sprains or ligament tears
Pregnancy-related complications (placenta previa, preeclampsia, symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD))
Severe burns or open wounds on the legs or feet

Temporary handicap placards usually last between one to six months, depending on the state. If you’re recovering from surgery or an injury, you can obtain a short-term disabled permit through HandicapMD.com with the appropriate medical certification.

3. Many Disabilities That Qualify for a Placard Are Invisible

Another surprising fact about handicap placards is that many of the conditions that qualify are not visible to others. This can lead to judgment or confrontations from people who wrongly assume that someone without a visible impairment is "faking" their need for accessible parking.

Some of the most common invisible disabilities that qualify for handicap parking permits include:

Heart disease and circulatory disorders (causing chronic fatigue and shortness of breath)
Lung diseases (COPD, pulmonary embolism, cystic fibrosis)
Neurological disorders (epilepsy, severe migraines, autonomic dysfunctions)
Severe chronic pain conditions (fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
Balance disorders and vertigo (Meniere’s disease, vestibular dysfunctions)

Just because someone looks fine doesn’t mean they don’t experience daily struggles with mobility and energy levels. The purpose of disabled parking placards is to ensure accessibility for everyone who needs them, regardless of how visible their condition may be.

4. Some People Can Qualify for a Placard Due to Severe Breathing Problems

Did you know that many respiratory conditions qualify a person for a handicap parking permit?

If a person has a lung disease that affects their ability to breathe properly, they may struggle with walking long distances due to lack of oxygen. Conditions that may qualify include:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Severe asthma
Cystic fibrosis
Lung cancer
Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary fibrosis

Individuals with oxygen tanks or breathing difficulties often experience severe fatigue when walking even short distances, making handicap parking spots essential for their health and well-being.

5. Handicap Placards Can Be Used in Different Vehicles

A handicap placard is typically issued to an individual—not a specific vehicle. This means that the holder of the placard can use it in any car they are traveling in, whether they are the driver or a passenger.

For example, if a disabled person is riding with a friend or family member, they can still legally use their handicap placard to park in an accessible space. However, misusing someone else’s placard (such as using it when the rightful owner is not present) can result in serious fines and penalties.

6. Pregnant Women Can Qualify for a Temporary Handicap Placard

Many people are surprised to learn that pregnancy complications can qualify someone for a temporary handicap placard. While pregnancy itself is not a disability, certain pregnancy-related conditions can make walking painful or unsafe, such as:

Placenta previa
Preeclampsia
Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)
Sciatica caused by pregnancy

For expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies or severe mobility issues, a temporary disabled permit can provide much-needed accessibility and comfort.

7. Handicap Parking Permits Can Vary by State

While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides general guidelines for accessible parking, each state has its own rules and requirements regarding handicap placards. Some differences include:

The length of time a temporary permit is valid
The specific medical conditions that qualify
Whether fees are required for placard applications or renewals
Placard renewal processes

For up-to-date information on state-specific handicap parking permit laws, you can visit HandicapMD.com, where you can apply for a permit online.

8. You Can Apply for a Handicap Placard Online with HandicapMD.com

If you have a qualifying medical condition, you don’t have to visit a doctor’s office to obtain a medical certification for a handicap placard. Thanks to telemedicine, you can now apply entirely online with HandicapMD.com.

HandicapMD.com provides:
✅ Licensed doctors who certify your disability via telehealth
✅ Fast and convenient online application process
✅ Approval for both permanent and temporary handicap placards
✅ State-specific DMV application assistance

Instead of waiting in long lines at a doctor’s office or DMV, you can get your medical certification online and have your application processed quickly.

Final Thoughts

Handicap placards are not just for wheelchair users—they provide essential accessibility for individuals with various mobility limitations, invisible illnesses, chronic conditions, and temporary injuries. If you or a loved one experience difficulty walking long distances, you may qualify for a disabled parking permit even if you don’t use a wheelchair.

With the help of HandicapMD.com, you can apply for your handicap placard online, making the process easy, fast, and stress-free.

🔵 Need a Handicap Placard? Apply Today at HandicapMD.com!