Sec. 24.2. Definitions

For the purposes of this Part:

(a) Severely disabled person shall mean any person having any one or more of the following impairments, disabilities or conditions which are permanent in nature:

(1) has limited or no use of one or both lower limbs;

(2) has a neuro-muscular dysfunction which severely limits mobility;

(3) has a physical or mental impairment or condition which is other than those specified above, but is of such nature as to impose unusual hardship in utilization of public transportation facilities, and such condition is certified by a podiatrist or an optometrist who is certified by the Education Department of the State of New York or a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner, to the extent authorized by law, including the Education Law, and consistent with any applicable written practice agreement, duly licensed to practice medicine in this State as constituting an equal degree of disability (specifying the particular condition) so as to prevent such person from getting around without great difficulty;

(4) a blind person;

(5) uses portable oxygen;

(6) unable to walk 200 feet without stopping;

(7) has a class III or IV cardiac condition (American Heart Association standards);

(8) severely limited in ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition; or

(9) restricted by lung disease to such an extent that forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg of room air at rest.

(b) Distinctive mark shall be the International Symbol of Access (depicting a person in a wheelchair) which shall be placed on vehicle registration number plates.

(c) Vehicle registration number plates for severely disabled persons shall be a set of number plates containing six numbers plus the distinctive mark.

(d) Motor vehicle owned by a severely disabled person shall mean a motor vehicle registered in the name of a severely disabled person.