The state of Arizona recognizes several conditions that you must have in order to qualify for a disabled parking permit. These include:

  • You cannot walk 200 ft without rest
  • You are restricted by lung disease to substantially lower expiratory volume and a low arterial oxygen tension volume.
  • You are severely limited to walk because of an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
  • You use portable oxygen.
  • You are unable to walk without the assistance of a brace, cane, assistive device, or another person.
  • You have a cardiac condition with class 3 or 4 functional limitations as by American Heart Association Standards
  • You have a disability placard from another state
  • You are registered as a 100% disabled veteran

In order for the state to recognize these conditions, you must have the appropriate documentation. For all but two of these conditions, this will require medical certification acquired from a physician.

Limited Mobility

As you can see from the conditions listed above, limited mobility plays a factor in qualification for a disabled parking permit in the state of Arizona. If you have a condition that limits your mobility you should check with a physician to see if you qualify.

Not being able to walk 200 ft without rest is one of the conditions above. A physician can test for this with several tests pertaining to your cardiovascular health.

Your mobility may also be limited because of a medical condition. Arthritis, neurological and orthopedic conditions are state recognized limitations. In order to diagnose these conditions you may need to consult a neurologist or an orthopedic surgeon.

An orthopedic surgeon may have been the one to issue several of the devices that the state of Arizona recognizes as assistance in walking. These include prosthetics, braces, canes, wheelchairs, and other medical devices that assist mobility. The state also recognizes assistance from another person as a qualifying condition.

Cardio-Vascular Conditions

There are several medical conditions that are listed on the application as well. If you are suffering from any of these, the state of Arizona will issue you a disabled parking permit.

Lung disease is a disease that greatly affects the mobility of those who have it. The state of Arizona lays out particular requirements on its application for those who are stricken with lung disease.

Your expiratory volume must be limited to one second, less than one liter, or your arterial oxygen tension must be less than 60 millimeters of mercury on room air at rest. These conditions can be measured by a respiratory specialist via spirometry or other methods.

This and other conditions can result in the use of a portable oxygen tank. The use of a portable oxygen tank meets the requirements for medical certification for a disabled parking permit.

You may also have a cardiac condition that is recognized to have class 3 or 4 functional limitations by the American Heart Association. You can go to the American Heart Association to view these limitations, however, you should go to a doctor, since this condition must be verified by a physician anyway.

Other ways of qualifying for a permit

The state of Arizona also recognizes prior certification from another state. If you lived in another state, in which you attained a disabled parking permit, then you can have it renewed into an Arizona permit.

This, of course, requires that you are a resident of the state of Arizona. Also required is that your permit from the previous state of residence is not expired when you apply for your Arizona permit. If it is expired, you may have to qualify under one of the other requirements listed for a permit.

If you qualify as a 100% disabled veteran, then you are exempt for showing any other medical certification. This means that you have received documentation from the Federal Veteran Affairs administration that you are a one hundred percent disabled veteran.

If you have served in the United States military and are disabled, you can go to a Veterans Affairs clinic and receive this certification.

Hearing Impairment

If you are hearing impaired, you may also qualify for a disabled parking permit in the state of Arizona. This qualification also requires medical certification.

This and all other medical certifications must be issued by an individual that is certified to practice medicine in the United States of America. A hearing impairment can also be certified by an audiologist or a member of the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association.

In order to qualify with a hearing impairment, you must be unable to hear or understand normal speech in optimal conditions. This can be with or without a hearing aid. Optimal conditions simply refer to an environment without other audible distractions.

Hearing Impaired permits are, however, slightly different than other disabled parking permits. Hearing-impaired placards are unique and are not valid for special parking privileges.

Conclusion

In order for you to qualify for a disabled parking permit in the state of Arizona, there are several qualifications that you must meet. These qualifications must be accompanied by a medical certification that is issued by a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in the United States of America.

There are two exceptions to the medically certified qualifications. These exceptions are if you possess a valid disabled parking permit from a previous state of residence or if you are certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs to be a 100% disabled Veteran.

These are the only ways listed to attain a disabled parking permit in the state of Arizona. If you have a condition that you are not sure qualifies, you should first seek the attention of a licensed physician.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is another resource you can reach out to with conditions for possible qualifications, but certification from a doctor is a sure-fire way to receive a permit.

Once you receive this permit, remember to follow all of the rules for its usage and the rules of the road.