UofL student with ‘invisible disability’ urges stricter accessible parking enforcement

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Most drivers know the rule: if you park in a handicapped space without a valid placard, you could face a fine. The same goes for blocking those spaces.

But for people who rely on them, the consequences can be far more serious than a ticket.

For Taylor Gilpin, a junior at the University of Louisville, accessible parking can be the difference between getting to class or ending up in the hospital.

"I deal with frequent dislocations," Gilpin said. "My shoulders or even ribs can pop out, and it’s really painful to put those back in."

Gilpin says she has a connective tissue disorder that causes frequent joint dislocations. "My connective tissue is not all connected physically,” she explained.

On a good day, like during spring break, Gilpin says she feels relatively normal. But her condition can change quickly.

"I have been in a wheelchair before," she said. "I have been on crutches and used other mobility aids."

Her condition is what she calls an "invisible disability." Most people wouldn’t know she has a medical condition unless she tells them.

"Unless I tell people, most people assume that I’m perfectly healthy," she said. "But that also means asking for help is a little bit of a bigger deal to me."

Gilpin relies on her car to get to class and medical appointments. But she says there have been multiple times when her designated accessible parking space was blocked.

"The first time it happened in 2025, it was a regular vehicle," she said. "I thought I’d report it and everything would be taken care of, but the vehicle was not ticketed or towed."

She says it happened again in January — this time involving a vehicle belonging to a Louisville Metro Police Department officer.

"Since then, I’ve had two other instances — one with a university contractor and another with a Spectrum employee," she said.

The parking lot across from Gilpin’s apartment is managed by the University of Louisville. Gilpin says she has raised the issue with multiple officials, including the university’s parking department, the dean of students, the ADA coordinator and her local metro council representative.

"I understand they’ve been attempting to tackle these issues, or at least put on a brave face that they’re tackling these issues," Gilpin said. "But I want a clear action plan that outlines what they’re attempting to do."

In a statement to WDRB from University of Louisville John Karman III,

"Providing a safe and accessible environment for our entire campus community is a top priority. Officials from our police, parking and physical plant departments have all met with this student in an effort to address her concerns. We also have communicated to our students, faculty and staff the importance of obeying laws meant to protect those with mobility issues. We take all student complaints seriously."

Gilpin will graduate in May a year early before heading to law school. She hopes speaking out now will help improve accessibility for students who come after her.