Disabilities are so misunderstood within medicine, that they are bound to be misunderstood by the authorities that issue placards, which in turn makes it impossible for the general public to know the definition of disabilities.
My son-in-law has been rated 75% disabled by the VA. He automatically qualifies for a disability placard in Texas, but must be certified by an independent doctor to qualify in California!!?! The VA may be under scrutiny, but if the VA says a veteran is disabled, I believe the veteran to be disabled!
I've had disabled plates on my car and a disability placard for when I'm traveling in someone else's car for over 20 years now. But because I look healthy I sometimes get nasty comments from people about 'taking' a handicap space from someone who 'really' needs it. These people have no idea what my medical disability is, and that my doctor has to sign off on my disability certification every few years for the state to continue issuing it.
The problem with political correctness is that it doesn’t correct anything. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) did not fix anything, it simply allowed people with disabilities a legal recourse for certain situations. The law did not fix the situations themselves. Government buildings put in ramps and disabled parking, and called themselves compliant. But I have been to places where disabled parking is not conveniently located to the building, let alone the ramp. The letter of the law was met, but not the spirit of the law.
Sorry to hear of your unfortunate experiences at the university. I hope your protests will be heard with compassionate ears, not legal ears.