Posted on 01/17/2026 9:23:22 AM PST by simpson96
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (WSVN) - A Florida woman who lives with a disability said a new law that allows pregnant women to apply for temporary disabled parking permits threatens her ability to live independently, according to a lawsuit.
“I just feel very strongly that pregnancy is not a disability, I just want to be able to park up front,” said State Rep. Fiona McFarland in 2025.
That moment from a State House committee meeting in March helped lay the foundation for a new law that allows expecting mothers to apply for temporary disabled parking permits for a $15 fee. The permits would be valid for one year.
While supporters called the measure a compassionate change to assist expecting mothers, critics said the law is dangerous, taking limited spots away from residents with disabilities who rely on having access to them.
Olivia Keller, who lives in Leon County, was born without arms. She uses a power wheelchair to move around and said this new law threatens her ability to live independently, which is why she’s filed a lawsuit.
“I can’t do my job, I can’t go to the grocery store, and for me needing the access aisle, I literally can’t get out of my car if I can’t find a place to park,” said Keller. “They’re not perks. They’re not our reward for having a disability. These are spaces that we need in order to function in our day-to-day lives.”
In the suit, Keller argues pregnancy does not meet the legal definition of a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and that Florida cannot change that standard.
“It’s not for our convenience. There is no accommodation that is going to make my life easy. This makes it possible,” said Keller.
Other residents in the community said they understand the concern on both sides, but agree access to parking spots for both residents with disabilities and expecting mothers is already limited in many areas.
“We need more for anybody, disability, even pregnant, anybody, you know, it’s just, it’s too much, it’s too hard to carry everything,” said resident Michelle Wood.
Advocates against the new law said this is not a fight to keep expecting mothers from accessing closer parking spots, but instead a call for a separate solution and more overall accessibility.
“There is not enough parking for handicap, especially in this Florida area where there is a lot of elderly people,” said resident Paula Hyre.
Attorneys for the state filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, but that request was denied.
“”””Obviously. I think there are a lot of lazy asses who game the system though.”””
That be true. I am the caregiver for my adult son who is in a wheelchair. Those spots are very important to those who need them.
I had a good friend who suffered serious wounds in Vietnam while in the USMC.
Last time I saw him, he was hobbling badly, but he simply would not get a handicapped parking tag. He would have rather eaten shards of glass, I suspect.
But obviously, not everyone feels that way.
I greatly admire my friend, and am more inclined to view people who have a tag and don’t obviously need it with a much dimmer perspective.
I really hate when people fake disabilities. I used to drive my elderly mother places in her car. She had a handicapped placard and really needed it, but there were often no handicapped parking spaces left. People who really need it should get it, but not fakers or people without disabilities who just park there and get away with it.
I think sometimes people think it’s a joke — until they are disabled themselves or have a loved one who needs it.
Democrats believe that if they haven’t aborted, they are unworthy of consideration.
I look after an autistic guy sometimes. I almost never use those spots even though I have a legit tag. The autistic guy likes walking.
I wonder what statement it would make if society revered pregnancy as much as they do football.
Pregnant are now allowed to used disabled parking.
That’s what matters.
And the folks having a kitten should just be grateful women are having future taxpayers.
“”It’s getting to the point that nearly half the parking spots are handicapped spots in some places. I see people with no discernable disabilities with those tags. Seems like big fat slobs are disabled.””
***
It sounds cold and harsh, but your comment comes close to the truth in many instances. Case in point: My neighbor has a handicap parking permit. Her handicap? Bad knees from years of over-eating, sitting around all day in a bathrobe and getting no exercise, thus being over-weight and debilitating the ability of her legs to hold her up and to function properly.
If I were making those parking permit decisions, I would limit the permits to people that have disabilities due to no “direct” fault of their own. That would also include those that have had to have major surgery like heart-related problems.
For those that have “disabilities” due to their own bad choices, whether it be choosing a lifetime of drinking, smoking, sedentary or over-eating... they would either have to walk farther to get to the stores... or drive around hunting for a closer spot. It’s called consequences and reality. I’m not in favor of society and taxpayers rewarding bad behavior.
Pregnancy is NOT a disability.
Pregnancy is NOT a disability.
Well to the Left, they consider it a “punishment”.
My wife has to walk with a rollator. She can’t walk long distances.
Sometimes I park in the handicap spot using her placard. I walk inside to get her, then take her to the car.
If you saw me walking in, you would think I’m able-bodied and using a handicap spot.
Parkikg Lots
Free dents
If your car mirror is missing look for a car with two of them on the same side.
For years the left has been saying that a pregnant woman has an illness, not a baby.
So, pregnancy is a disability in Florida, now????
What’s next?
Maybe being one of those vile diseased migrant invaders is soon to be a disability...
I’m 78, and have had a doctor authorized handicap permit for physical problems for a while now. The permit isn’t permanent, but my disabilities are. I have to get my doctor to fill out another request form every 3 years, in order to get a new permit. I’m currently in rehab, having slipped on ice the day after Christmas, breaking my left hip, left scapula, and left elbow. They put a pin in the hip. I’m heading home Thursday.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left my apartment over the years, only to return a short while later, to find someone without a permit, parked in my assigned handicap spot. When I did go out shopping, which I hope I will one day return to, it was very difficult to find handicap spots to park in. They are usually all full, so I have to drive around until one opens up, or go down to the farther entrance to possibly find one. Wal-Mart here is the worse. They don’t have that many spots.
Hope you get better soon.
Thanks. Had some setbacks due to my blood pressure dropping when I stood up. Got dizzy and short of breath. Took the idiots here a week to get the medication to spread my blood pressure medications throughout the day. Then found out that they substituted my cholesterol med Pravastatin with Atorvastatin, which I’d had an adverse reaction to about three years ago. Ended up in the ER downstairs with it back then. Why they never found that in my medical history for this hospital is anybody’s guess. I’ve had four abdominal surgeries at this same hospital too.
Can men get pregnant? What is a woman? Do “pregnant trannys get a handicapped spot? I’m beginning to hate humanity.
“nearly half the parking spots are handicapped spots in some places”
Well, I have a contrary point of view. I’m mobility disabled and frequently encounter Disabled parking spaces taken up by non-permitted vehicles or fully capable “disabled” person. When I get out I have to lean back against my car to acquire balance before I can proceed. If I can find a cart I don’t mind walking further. It’s just if I fall before having something I can use to steady myself or pull myself upright, to get back on my feet I’m in danger laying on hot asphalt in the FL sun.
Everyone seems to be Disabled in some way. Thought it would get better after dissolution of USAID but only somewhat. Maybe I should open a daycare facility to cope harder.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.