The Americans with Disabilities Act was introduced and became law in 1990. Its purpose is to ensure that people with disabilities are afforded the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. It is actually a civil rights law, which disallows any discrimination based on disability. An amendment to the Act was passed in 2008 in relation to disabled parking and driving. The Act now dictates that handicap parking spots must be available in all public parking lots, with the minimum requirement being one designated spot per 25 spaces. If you own or think you might qualify for a disabled parking permit, then you will be able to utilize these special spots. A disabled parking permit is generally available in two formats. One format is specially marked license plates, which would generally be on your own car that you drive. The second format is a handicap parking placard, which hangs inside the car somewhere - usually from the rear-view mirror. The beauty of the latter, of cour...