03/05/2026
Ok, CORE clients and caregivers, we have ALL complained about various parking situations for wheelchair users through the years. Spin the Globe is doing something about it! Read her caption to see how you can send a simple email in support of new legislation that would allow us to double park without fear of being towed! Let’s get this passed in Florida!
Greetings fellow wheelchair warriors! I critically need your help today. Several weeks ago when I started the journey of working with my local state representative to get an amendment passed to allow wheelchair users to occupy two parking spaces legally here in Florida, many of you offered to help. Here's the situation, and what I need you to do.
The good news is that the House version of the transportation bill with this amendment passed the House, after an unexpected amount of debate. Now it moves to the Senate, where they have to craft the same version of the bill in order for it to make it to the governor's desk. The problem is that there's one senator who says he doesn't want to approve it because only one legislator came to him not liking it. Fortunately my representative was able to talk to him and tell him my story, of which he was completely unaware. He didn't know any of the press it had gotten in the local news or why this amendment was even created. Now he says he'll consider it, but you know how that goes.
I need as many of you as possible to contact Florida State Senator Nick DiCeglie and tell him your personal stories of how the lack of accessible parking has forced you to occupy two spaces, how you have no other option for where to park if all the accessible spaces are occupied, any bad things that have happened to you as a result, how such a bill making it legal for you to occupy two parking spaces and not fear getting towed would make your life easier and safer as a wheelchair user. If you live in Florida, please mention this to him.
As for your messages, please keep it short and simple, coming from a place of encouragement and support for the legislation to encourage him to listen. Definitely include your personal stories and how this would make life better for you as a wheelchair user. Here's a sample paragraph you can include, because you should definitely reference the legislation:
“I’m asking Senator DiCeglie to support the accessibility provisions from HB 543 in the Senate transportation bill SB 1080 so wheelchair users with ramps or lifts can legally occupy multiple parking spaces when necessary.”
You can email him here: Diceglie.nick.web@flsenate.gov
You can contact him through the web form here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s18?pref=full
You can call his office here: 850-487-5018
This is a really pressing matter, so anything you can do to reach out to him and push him in the right direction would be amazing, and I can't thank you enough for your help!
