Accessible Parking Regulations for People with Disabilities
Murray State University (MSU) is committed to addressing the needs of, and ensuring maximum access to parking accommodations for persons with disabilities. Parking spaces designated for persons with disabilities are intended for those with permanent and severe mobility impairments. Murray State University’s parking regulations are based on Kentucky Law. In accordance with KENTUCKY REVISED STATUTE (KRS) 189.456 (3) (1992):

For every person seeking an accessible parking placard, proof of the disability shall be required by:

(a) evidence that the individual has a license plate for a person with a disability as provided by KRS 186.042 (1992);*
(b) the Office of Equal Opportunity ascertaining that the applicant is obviously disabled; or
(c) a statement from a licensed physician that the applicant is a person whose mobility, flexibility, coordination, respiration, or perceptiveness is significantly reduced by a permanent disability to that person's arms, legs, lungs, heart, ears, or eyes.

*As stated in the KRS 186.042 (1992): For the purposes of this section, “persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk” mean persons who are determined by a licensed physician:

• cannot walk two hundred (200) feet without stopping to rest;
• cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device or other assisting device;
• are restricted by lung disease to the extent that the person’s forced respiratory and expiratory volume for (1) second when measured by spirometry, is less than (1) liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than (6) mm/hg on room air rest;
• use portable oxygen;
• have a cardiac condition to the extent that the person’s functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association; or
• are severely limited in their ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.

Applying for an Accessible Parking Permit
TIER I “PERMANENT/SEVERELY DISABLED” KRS 189.456 (3)

This permit enables the holder to park in any space designated for persons with disabilities on the campus of MSU, as well as any color zone not restricted by postings, or reserved spaces. In addition to completing a Vehicle Registration Form in the Department of Public Safety any person wishing to apply for accessible parking privileges must complete the Application for an Accessible Parking Permit with the Office of Equal Opportunity, 103 Wells Hall. The application for an Accessible Parking Permit is available on MSU’s Public Safety website or from the Office of Public Safety or the Office of Equal Opportunity. In order to acquire an accessible parking permit, the applicant must meet the standards set out in KRS 189.456 (3).

If approved by the Director of Equal Opportunity, your permit will be issued at Public Safety, 101 Public Safety Building and will be issued for the duration of the permit year. For individuals who have permanent disabilities, the renewal process will only consist of exchanging the expired permit on an annual basis. The cost of the permit will be determined by the permit type that you would otherwise be authorized (i.e. retiree, faculty, staff).

Long/Short-Term Parking Privileges
TIER II “TEMPORARY MEDICAL CONDITIONS” (KRS186.042)

For persons who do not meet the above criteria (TIER I) but have a medical condition that limits walking distances, an application may be made for a Tier II Temporary Medical Parking Permit. This permit enables the holder to park in any color zone not otherwise restricted by postings, or reserved spaces, but does not allow the holder to park in any designated parking spaces for the disabled under criteria established for Tier 1.

In order to obtain a temporary medical permit, in addition to completing a Vehicle Registration Form in the Department of Public Safety, you must complete the Application for an Accessible Parking Permit and meet the standards set out in KRS 189.456 (3). This permit is valid for a limited period of time not to exceed five (5) weeks. If approved by the Director of Equal Opportunity, your permit will be issued at Public Safety, 101 Public Safety Building.

Misuse of Disabled Parking Permits
Persons initially applying for or renewing a permit that knowingly submit false documentation or misuse a State Disabled Parking Placard or University issued Accessible Parking Permit will be subject to a fine and could face the possibility of losing all University Parking Privileges.

Obtaining a parking permit under MSU’s parking regulations for individuals with disabilities does not entitle the permit holder to violate any other parking and/or traffic regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, parking in fire lanes, loading zones, or parking in a space reserved for other use. Vehicles parking in violation of MSU’s regulations are subject to citations. Further, the use of an accessible parking permit by someone other than the person listed on the Vehicle Registration Form and or Accessible Parking Application may result in a citation, and/or termination of the permit privileges.

Appeals Process
Any person seeking to appeal the decision of the Director must submit, in writing, a request to review the decision of the Director. This appeal must be delivered to the Office of Equal Opportunity, within five (5) working days of receipt of the Director’s decision. The request shall state reasons why the party is requesting a review and may contain any additional information for consideration. The Director will refer the appeal to the Affirmative Action Subcommittee on Disabilities. The committee may confirm, amend, or modify the decision of the Director. The decision of the committee shall be final.