A new Florida law is threatening the very foundation of disability access by allowing non-disabled individuals to park in spots specifically reserved for those with qualifying disabilities.

As of July 2025, Florida has issued over 9,000 “expectant mother” parking placards, which grant pregnant individuals access to designated disabled parking spaces for up to a year—even when no disabling condition is present. This policy directly violates federal protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act, which guarantee a baseline number of accessible spaces solely for people with disabilities.

This is not about denying empathy or support for pregnant women. It’s about defending rights that are already too often overlooked. Olivia Keller, a Florida woman born without arms who uses a motorized wheelchair, put it plainly: “If I don’t park there, I literally can’t get out of my car.” These parking spaces exist not for convenience—but for survival.

The number of accessible parking spaces is fixed, and demand already far exceeds supply. Federal law requires only 2–4% of spaces to be accessible. Diluting those with permits for individuals who are not legally disabled under federal law sets a dangerous precedent—one that sacrifices legally protected access in favor of perceived convenience.

If Florida wants to support pregnant individuals, it must do so responsibly—by adding new, clearly marked "expectant parent" spaces rather than repurposing disability access spaces. Convenience and compassion should never come at the cost of civil rights.

We call on the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and Governor Ron DeSantis to immediately rescind the expectant mother parking law and revoke any permits issued under it. We urge lawmakers to ensure future policies protect—rather than undermine—federally mandated access for people with disabilities.

Accessibility isn’t optional. It’s the law.