A major change to Florida’s disability parking law is drawing criticism after thousands of able-bodied drivers received special parking permits.
The law, enacted in July, allows pregnant women to obtain a disability parking placard for up to one year, regardless of when they apply during pregnancy. To qualify, they must present a doctor’s note and pay a $15 fee.
State Representative Fiona McFarland, who sponsored the measure, said her own pregnancy inspired the law.
“Rather than complain about a problem without a solution, I realized I could help women like me avoid walking long distances,” McFarland said. “Pregnancy isn’t a disability. I just want to park up front.”
Lawsuit challenges the law under ADA
Florida resident Olivia Keller, who has a disability, filed a lawsuit against the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on October 27. She claims the law violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other protections ensuring people with disabilities can access work, healthcare, and public spaces.
Keller’s attorney, Matthew Dietz, argued that disabled drivers already struggle to find accessible parking and that the new policy has worsened the situation.
The suit states that the law “excludes or otherwise makes the program of accessible parking required by federal law unavailable to qualified individuals with disabilities.”
Keller emphasized the issue isn’t about opposing pregnant women.
“It’s not us hating on pregnant women,” she told WJXT. “Create separate expectant mother spaces—just don’t take them from the two percent of parking that’s accessible to us.”
She added that the law limits her ability to participate in everyday life, including work and medical care.
Concerns over access and safety
About 1.3 million Florida drivers, or roughly 7%, already hold permanent disability permits. With accessible parking typically making up only 2–4% of available spaces, the addition of new permit holders has created fierce competition.
Keller, who was born without arms, said the Florida heat poses serious health risks for people with disabilities who must park farther away.
“People having heat strokes is not comparable to being hot and uncomfortable,” she said. “You’re putting people in danger because of your inconvenience.”
McFarland defended the law, saying she wanted to make late-stage pregnancy less physically demanding.
“I just wanted to help women who were really uncomfortable at the end of pregnancy,” she said.
Lawmakers await data on impact
McFarland added that she’s open to reconsidering the measure if data shows harm to disabled drivers. “If there’s data showing a negative impact, I’d love to see it so I can make more informed laws,” she said.
Although the exact number of permits issued to pregnant women hasn’t been released, county tax collector websites and the state DHSMV are promoting the program. Officials estimate the number could already be in the thousands.
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