What Qualifies as a Disability

MOBILITY

Conditions affecting mobility are clearly defined as an inability to walk short distances without assistance (through devices or people). Florida requires an inability to walk 200 feet on your own for your condition to be considered a disability. This can be the inability to walk without a break or with significant discomfort. There are two categories of loss of mobility in the case of handicap permits.

1. Temporary, conditions lasting less than 6 months (if more time is needed another application will need to be filled out)
2. Permanent, chronic/lifetime condition

Conditions within this category include (not limited to):

1. Amputation
2. Paralysis
3. Lupus
4. Inflammatory bowel disease
5. Obesity
6. Asthma
7. Arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, gouty, etc.)
8. Neurological diseases
9. Fibromyalgia
10. Parkinson’s
11. Multiple sclerosis
12. Muscular dystrophy
13. Cerebral palsy
14. Stroke
15. Serious injuries

SIGHT

Conditions affecting sight are limited and highly defined. The only condition which is considered a disability is blindness. To be considered legally blind, and able to claim this in an application, corrected eyesight needs to be 20/200. This means the disabled person must be able to at least see 20 feet compared to the average person seeing 200 feet. In most cases, this placard would be used for passengers who need to park closer to avoid getting lost. It benefits an individual in receiving the placard regardless of the ability to drive.

Conditions within this category include (not limited to):

1. Myopia
2. Astigmatism
3. Presbyopia
4. Blindness
5. Cataract
6. Diabetic retinopathy
7. Glaucoma
8. Macular degeneration
9. Injury

CARDIAC

Conditions affecting cardiac functioning fit into four main categories, classes I, II, III, and IV as defined by the American Heart Association. To be classified as disabled individuals must fit into Class III or IV and have significant limitations in participating in physical activities (such as climbing stairs).

Conditions within this category include (not limited to):

1. Heart disease
2. High blood pressure (HBP)
3. Coronary artery disease
4. Recurrent arrhythmias (Arythmia heart)
5. Congestive heart failure
6. Ischemia
7. Heart attack
8. Cardiomyopathy

APPENDAGES

Conditions affecting the use of arms and legs include (not limited to):

1. Trauma – Leading to Amputation
2. Infection
3. Cancer
4. Ataxia
5. Diabetes and toe amputation

OXYGENATION

Conditions affecting breathing often limit an individual’s ability to walk more than 200 feet which challenges mobility. To be classified as having issues with breathing the individual’s arterial oxygen needs to be less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest or need the use of portable oxygen.

Conditions within this category include (not limited to):

1. Asthma
2. Emphysema
3. Cystic fibrosis / Bronchiectasis
4. Chronic pneumonia
5. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
6. Heart failure
7. Anemia
8. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)