Medical Parking Accommodations

Freshmen, sophomore and junior resident students, as a general rule, should not expect to have a vehicle on campus. Merrimack provides shuttle service to students. Zipcar and Uber services are also available to students at a cost.

All accommodation requests must be requested and approved annually. Requests that are made outside of the deadlines, as defined below, will be considered on a case-by-case basis but may not be determined as reasonable.

Factors Considered

While needs are considered on a case-by-case basis, most often, these accommodations are made for students with frequent medical appointments that cannot be arranged through other means of campus transportation. Other factors will be considered, including but not limited to:

• Physical/mobility needs of the student,
• Distance to appointments,
• Frequency, and duration of need,
• Is space available that meets the student’s needs? Multiple lots are considered to meet students’ needs.
• Was the request made by the deadline?
• Is the student’s request determined as reasonable and his/her transportation needs cannot otherwise be supported by campus transportation?
• How does meeting this request affect parking arrangements for other students?
• Many factors are considered, including but not limited to: class year, duration of need, frequency of need, and/or travel distance.

If approved for Merrimack-sponsored parking, the college will determine the parking lot that reasonably meets each student’s needs.

Duration of Accommodation

The duration of medical parking approval is based on documentation as provided by your doctor. If you require parking beyond the determined term, you will be asked to provide updated documentation. If you have an indefinite need for parking, you must provide updated medical documentation and a new request annually.

Application Process

Step One: Research campus transportation options and speak to your medical provider.

• Options include shuttle, Zipcar and Uber.
• Many medical providers are understanding about scheduling appointments around campus transportation; please work with them to determine a transportation plan.
• If you cannot schedule your appointments around campus transportation, please proceed to step 2.

Step Two: Submit the Non-Academic Accommodation(s) Request Form and attach the completed Medical Provider Form.

• REQUIRED:
  • For students not registered for Academic Accommodations – Non-Academic Medical Parking Accommodation Request Form
  • For students already registered for Academic Accommodations – Non-Academic Medical Parking Accommodation Supplemental Request
    • Please log into Accommodate
    • Click Accommodation
    • Click Supplemental
    • Click Add New
    • Answer Yes to “I’m requesting nonacademic accommodations”
    • Complete the rest of the form
• REQUIRED:
  • Medical Provider Form
• Additional documentation may be submitted by email or in person at the office, but will be considered insufficient as standalone documentation.
• Your request and new documentation must be submitted annually.
• Aside from newly arising circumstances, the deadline to apply for all students for 2023-2024 is August 7, 2023.
• New conditions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Step Three: Notification

• You will receive written notification from the Accessibility Services Office regarding the status of your request.
• If you are granted your request, you will need to pick up your permit at the Campus Parking Office, and they will also discuss payment with you. On-campus parking has an associated fee; please speak with the Parking Office campus police with any questions or concerns, either in person or at parking@merrimack.edu.

Additional Information

I think I might need to park in the handicap spaces identified on campus; what do I need to know?

The college parking areas include designated and regulated handicap parking spaces, Merrimack does not determine the usage of these spaces. Rather, students on campus who have been pre-determined by their state and have an HP placard on display are permitted to park in these spaces. To learn how to obtain a HC plate or temporary placard, please contact the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles or visit the nearby Registry located 5 minutes from campus (down Route 114 in Lawrence, MA). If you already have an HP placard, please be sure to register your car with the Parking Office. For more information, please go here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/application-for-disabled-parking/download

I don’t have a medical need personally, but can I be considered for a parking permit for a special circumstance?

Reasonable Medical Parking Accommodations are available for students with medical needs only; however, if you have a special circumstance (i.e., family member with a medical need) please speak with the Parking Office regarding your need.

What if I want to appeal the decision of my medical parking accommodation request?

A student may appeal the decision made regarding a medical parking request. An Appeals Committee will meet to consider and deliberate on the merits of the appeal. To submit an appeal, or for any questions regarding medical parking, please contact accessibilityservices@merrimack.edu.