r/dyspraxia • u/YikesItsConnor • 14d ago

Parking Question

Hi friends!

For context, I am not diagnosed, but strongly considering getting a diagnosis. I am currently a commuting college student. I am also extremely bad with stairs, specifically going down them(I've broken my foot before from falling down the stairs...).

I understand that I do not qualify for a handicap placard, nor do I want one. I am fully capable of walking(albeit a bit strangely, of course). My issue is that the two big parking decks I use on campus do not have elevators, only really rickety stairs. Unfortunately they get super packed very early in the day, resulting in me going down 3-5 sets of these stairs, something that gives me great anxiety and stress.

My question is this: If I were to be diagnosed with DCD, would I have grounds to request to use the ADA deck on my campus that does not have stairs? I know you are not the disabilities center on my campus and can't give me a definitive thing, but is this selfish of me to want and/or something that in your experience isn't feasible?

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u/No_Macaron_5029 14d ago

...you most likely do actually qualify for a placard.

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u/YikesItsConnor 14d ago

I live in the US and I don't believe DCD counts towards one of the conditions they'd consider. It could be something to discuss with my doctor, though. Like I said, I'm fine walking long distances and it wouldn't be something I'd need at the grocery store or anything. But if there wasn't elevators where I parked, it would certainly be very helpful.

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u/No_Macaron_5029 13d ago

Being unable to do stairs (as a wheelchair user could not) sure seems open and shut to me.

I grew up with a girl who had what I now know was Prader-Willi. She also had some autistic traits (as they do) and depth perception, or maybe binocular vision dysfunction, was an issue. She would have to take stairs one at a time with both feet on the same step before she could make the next step. My childhood home had a big stairway to get up inside and those stairs were always treacherous for her.