Look at the photo below. What you are seeing is a new installation of two accessible parking spaces with a shared accessible aisle between the parking spaces. In the background is an accessible walkway across some landscaped area, then a marked path across a vehicular way to the commercial shopping areas. A lot about this installation is correct. So what’s wrong?

HINT: Assume one handicapped person using a wheel chair is parked in the parking space on the right and another handicapped person has parked their full size pickup truck in the accessible space on the left.

ANSWER: The shared access aisle between the parking spaces does not connect to the accessible walkway. 2010 Standard 502.3, Access Aisle, states, “Access aisles shall adjoin an accessible route.” In this installation the accessible route (walkway) terminates immediately at the left parking space. See the photo on the right. If both parking spaces are occupied with vehicles, how does an individual get from the walkway to the second/right parking space? 2010 Standard 402.2, [Accessible Route] Components”, states, “Accessible routes shall consist of one or more of the following components: walking surfaces with a running slope not steeper than 1:20, doorways, ramps, curb ramps excluding the flared sides, elevators, and platform lifts. “ Notice what is not included? Parking spaces. The accessible aisle does not adjoin the accessible route directly. Especially if there is a car parked in the first/left space.

Furthermore, where is the maneuvering space at the bottom of the curb ramp in the photo above? A handicapped pedestrian coming down the ramp runs immediately into the first parking space. If there is a vehicle parked there, maneuvering space would be very limited.

If you observe a building that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.