Sunshine State sparks controversy as a Leon County woman pushes back against a hotly debated law letting pregnant Floridians snag disabled parking permits.
Olivia Keller, born with no arms and a longtime power wheelchair user, is taking her fight to court, claiming the new legislation—hatched just last year—puts people like her in a tough spot. The law, tucked inside transportation bill SB 462, allows expectant mothers to score a temporary disabled hang tag for just $15, good for an entire year.
The reaction? Florida’s streets are buzzing. Supporters argue it’s a humane move—pregnancy is tough, they say, so why not cut expecting moms some slack? But critics fire back, insisting the change means even fewer prized parking spots for residents with serious mobility impairments. Keller, who says accessible spots are a lifeline, isn’t mincing words: “These aren’t perks or privileges. Without that extra space, I’m literally stuck—I can’t work, shop for groceries, or live independently,” she vented to WSVN.
Keller’s lawsuit stresses that disabled-access spots are already in short supply and adding more people to the mix will only make matters worse. She also points out: by federal definition under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pregnancy isn’t considered a disability—and states simply can’t rewrite that rulebook. “It’s not about ease or comfort,” Keller explained. “Accessible parking is the bare minimum for daily life.”
The legislative brain behind the law, Sarasota’s Republican Rep. Fiona McFarland, dreamed it up while navigating Florida’s blazing temps, nine months pregnant and hoofing it across roasting parking lots. She admitted she never thought pregnancy was a disability, but said her own struggles inspired her to make things easier for future moms-to-be. Still, that’s exactly what Keller is pushing back against—arguing that good intentions don’t justify trampling on essential rights for people with disabilities.
As the battle plays out in court, one thing’s crystal clear: Florida’s latest bid to offer help to expecting women has set off a firestorm, leaving many wondering where inclusion ends and accessibility begins.
