The executive director or his designee may issue permits, to persons who are permanently physically disabled as described below, for activities which would otherwise be regulated or prohibited by these rules. Such permits shall be conditioned as necessary to protect natural resources and to regulate access in accordance with management plans and policies for the area. Individuals not meeting the criteria for a permit set forth in this rule may request accommodation through the process established by the agency:
(1) Crossbow permits. Permits to use crossbows, airbows (pre-charged pneumatic airguns firing arrows), or bows equipped with a device that can mechanically hold the bowstring in the drawn (ready-to-fire) position during an archery season will be issued based upon a determination that the applicant has submitted an original certificate from a licensed physician certifying that the individual is permanently incapable of drawing any type of bow with a minimum draw weight of 40 lbs.(2) Special use vehicle permits. Permits to operate vehicles otherwise permitted by rule, on roads not open to the public, will be issued based upon a determination that the applicant has submitted an original certificate from a licensed physician certifying that the individual is permanently disabled in a way which renders normal walking impossible; or a copy of a valid, State-issued, permanent disability parking placard or card and the identification used to obtain the placard or card.(3) Alternative mobility permits. Permits to operate an all-terrain vehicle will be issued based upon a determination that the applicant has been issued and possesses a valid permanent disabled parking placard or has submitted an original certificate from a licensed physician certifying that the individual is unable to walk a distance of 200 feet without stopping to rest. "All-terrain vehicle" shall be as defined in Rule 68A-1.004, F.A.C., provided that no two-wheeled or two-cycle vehicles will be permitted.(4) Mobility-impaired quota permits. No person shall be eligible for issuance of a mobility-impaired quota permit unless the person has obtained a mobility-impaired identification card. A mobility-impaired identification card may be obtained by submitting a completed mobility-impaired eligibility certification application (Form QA-801, effective 9/2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference) to the Commission. Certification as mobility-impaired shall be restricted to persons who are paraplegic, hemiplegic, or quadriplegic, permanently dependent upon a wheelchair for ambulation, permanently required to use assisting aids to walk, permanently required to use braces or prosthesis on both legs, or who have had complete single-leg amputation above the knee.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68A-9.008
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.
New 5-10-04, Amended 5-1-05, 10-23-08, 8-11-11, Amended by Florida Register Volume 49, Number 050, March 14, 2023 effective 7/1/2023, Amended by Florida Register Volume 50, Number 065, April 2, 2024 effective 7/1/2024.