General Information
IU Parking Operations is continually working to improve accessibility on campus for all individuals. We are committed to the disabled community and work closely with the Offices of Disability Services for Students and Veterans Support Services to ensure equal access, and to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. IU Bloomington’s surface and garage spaces are ADA-accessible, and ADA-accessible parking is also located nearest the accessible entrance to each building. Please note that an IU parking permit is required at all times (with the exception of Disabled meter spaces).
For more general information on permits and parking not mentioned below, please refer to the Parking Regulations page.
Disability Defined
Parking Operations defines 'Disabled' either permanently or temporarily as:
- An obvious physical disability that requires the use of a wheelchair, braces, walkers or crutches;
- The permanent loss of the use of one or both leg;
- Severely restricted mobility, as determined and certified by a physician due to a pulmonary or cardiovascular disability, an arthritic condition, or an orthopedic, or neurological impairment;
Examples of conditions which do not normally require special parking privileges are: a normal pregnancy, anemia, hypoglycemia, menstrual difficulties, allergies, migraine headaches, diabetes (without other complications), foot problems (such as plantar warts, calluses, bunions), hepatitis, mononucleosis (unless directed by physician), arthritis (without complications).
Please note that these definitions and examples are intended as a guideline only. Consideration will be given to postsurgical applicants as well as others as individual circumstances warrant. For assistance in determining eligibility, please contact Parking Operations.
Obtaining a Disabled Permit
Fast Track
If you already have a state-issued Disabled plate, an Indiana Disabled American Veteran plate, or a Disabled placard or hang tag, simply follow the directions below to receive your IU Disabled Permit. Otherwise you will need to start at the Complete Process, which involves providing medical documentation.
Already have a Disabled plate? If you have a state-issued Disabled plate or an Indiana Disabled American Veteran plate, just bring a copy of your car registration to the Parking Operations office. The registration must be in the same name of the person requesting the permit (if two names are listed, the IN BMV indicates the disabled name by listing it first).
Already have a Disabled placard or hang tag? If you already display a state-issued placard or hang tag, bring a copy of the Disabled permit receipt indicating that the tag has been issued in your own name to the Parking Operations office.
Complete Process
Obtain Evidence of Need
If you do not already have a Disabled plate, placard or hang tag, you will need to provide evidence of need. Applicants with medical problems or physical disabilities who need a vehicle to park at academic or residential lots will be authorized parking privileges based on justification signed by a licensed physician, who is unrelated to the applicant. The letter should state:
- The nature of the disability
- Projected duration of the disability
- The need for special parking privileges
Full Application Process
- Obtain and bring a letter from your physician (as described above) to the Parking Operations office. Upon receipt of this letter, Parking Operations will issue you a temporary permit (valid for one month) while your permanent permit eligibility is being authorized.
- Fill out the "Application for Special Parking Access" form, available at the Parking Operations office. Signing this form constitutes permission for an Indiana University physician to request your medical history/record from your physician. To complete the application, you will need to provide:
- Your name, address and phone number
- Your IU University ID number (IU students and employees)
- Physician’s name, address, and phone/fax numbers
- Date of surgery (if applicable)
- Upon receipt of your application and physician's letter, Parking Operations will then confirm eligibility in writing with your physician. Your physician must complete the requested information and return it to IU Parking Operations immediately. Extensions of the temporary permit deadline are not granted until the physician's response is received.
- You will be notified by mail when your Disabled Permit eligibility has been granted. To purchase your permit, please bring your vehicle registration and copy of the eligibility letter to the Parking Operations office. You can pay either by cash, credit card, or check. Students may choose to bill the amount to their Bursar account. For details on how to display your permit, visit our Permit Display page.
Disabled Permit Cost
The price of the Disabled Permit matches that of the parent permit. For example, a Disabled-A Permit is the same price as a regular 'A' permit, and so on. There is no additional cost for the Disabled status of the permit.
For details on permit rates, please refer to the Purchase a Permit page.
Students, Faculty, and Staff - Disabled Permit
- Disabled-A Permit: allows parking in any Disabled space and the A, C and E spaces
- Disabled-C Permit: allows parking in any Disabled space and the C and E spaces
- Disabled-E Permit: allows parking in any Disabled space and the E spaces
Visitor - Disabled Permit
Visitors with a Disabled license plate, State issued Disabled placard/ hang tag or an Indiana Disabled American Veteran plate may: obtain a visitor-disabled permit from Parking Operations, use a campus parking garage or a Disabled-only meter. These four (4) hour meters will be placed in several campus accessible spaces to provide parking for disabled visitors. With the exception vehicles bearing the Indiana Disabled American Veteran plate, these meters must be paid to avoid a citation and are enforced from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Transfer/Replacement of Permit
If you sell your vehicle and no longer need your Disabled Permit, you are required to remove your permit and return it to Parking Operations. If you are replacing your vehicle, you may use your current valid permit on your new vehicle. No registration information is needed.
If your permit has been lost or stolen, you will be required to complete a 'Replacement Permit' form, available in the Parking Operations office. By signing this form, you assume responsibility for the old permit and guarantee that the old permit will not appear on the Bloomington campus. There is a $5.00 fee if you cannot produce the old permit.
Disabled Parking Regulations
It shall be unlawful:
- To park or leave standing in a space designated with a sign for Disabled parking, any vehicle not displaying a IU Disabled Permit.
- For any person not qualifying for the rights and privileges extended to disabled persons to exercise or attempt to exercise such rights or privileges by the unauthorized use of a distinguishing license plate, removable hang tag or temporary removable hang tag or IU Disabled Permit.
- To park or leave standing any vehicle so as to obstruct a curb ramp or curb cut for disabled persons.
Vehicles found in violation of the above regulations will be cited and towed at the owner’s expense.
Disabled Meter Parking
Vehicles which display an IU Disabled permit will be allowed to park in the visitor disabled spaces without paying the meter. Our goal is to provide accessible parking spaces for individuals with legitimate disabilities. For more information, please refer to the Disabled Parking Regulations on the Parking Regulations page.
Visitors with a Disabled license plate, State-issued Disabled placard/ hang tag or an Indiana Disabled American Veteran plate may use a Disabled-only meter. These four-hour meters will be placed in several campus accessible spaces to provide parking for disabled visitors. With the exception vehicles bearing the Indiana Disabled American Veteran plate, these meters must be paid to avoid a citation and are enforced from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Students: Van Service
Disability Services for Students provides transportation to classes and university-related functions for permanently and temporarily disabled students, who live on or near campus. This service is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. and in exceptional cases, on Saturday and Sunday.
To make arrangements, please contact: