ORLANDO, Fla. – Finding accessible parking at Orlando International Airport can difficult for disabled drivers, according to disabled veteran and travel influencer Sylvia Longmire.
Longmire, who lives with debilitating multiple sclerosis, has traveled to 58 countries and all 50 states in a wheelchair, documenting her adventures for nearly 100,000 TikTok followers.
“Oh God no, a wheelchair doesn’t keep me down,” Longmire said. “I do more in a wheelchair than most people do without one.”
Longmire says searching for a handicapped space at MCO regularly takes 30 minutes or more, with every level of the parking garage often full.
“These days I don’t even check anymore,” she said. “I just assume they’re all taken, and I spend at least half an hour going deck to deck looking for an accessible spot.”
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
When no disabled spaces are available, Longmire says she has no choice but to park across two regular spaces so the ramp on her wheelchair-accessible van can safely extend.
“I’m not even getting off the ground yet,” she said, describing the frustration of arriving at the airport only to realize she physically cannot exit her vehicle.
That reality turned costly last November when Longmire paid $160 to park in MCO’s reserved section, only to return from her trip and find her van gone. Despite clearly displaying a disabled veteran license plate, Longmire says the vehicle was towed after she parked across two spaces at the end of the deck.
“I returned and my van was not where I left it,” Longmire said. “I started trying to avoid having an anxiety attack because if I don’t have my van, I have no way to get home.”
She says it took three hours and an additional $50 towing fee before she could leave the airport.
In a statement, Orlando International Airport acknowledged the mistake.
“We have already instructed parking staff to be more vigilant in recognizing vehicles that display a disabled license plate or placard when they occupy multiple parking spaces. Unfortunately, the vehicle’s plate was inadvertently overlooked. Our parking team has addressed this particular incident.”
The phrase, “Inadvertently overlooked,” struck a nerve with Longmire.
“I’m inadvertently overlooked almost on a daily basis as a wheelchair user,” she said. “And I am not alone in that. That really is the core of the issue.”
Now, Longmire is pushing for change. She has teamed up with a Florida state representative to support legislation that would make it illegal to tow a disabled person’s vehicle for occupying multiple parking spaces when no accessible parking is available. The proposal is currently moving through the legislature as part of a transportation bill, and Longmire has already testified before the Commerce Committee.
Airport officials say a new parking guidance system is planned — showing how many handicapped spaces are available on each level — but it’s not expected to be in place until 2027. Until then, Longmire says disabled drivers will continue circling garages, hoping for a spot — and for recognition.