ADA Build - Van Access Disabled Parking Usability

Scoping and Usability of Van Accessible Disabled Parking Spots

There are several problems with van accessible disabled parking scoping that present "usability" problems to the disabled driver.

One is a critical issue with the location of the van accessible parking stalls in a contiguous row of disabled parking stalls. In about 99% of the cases the Van accessible stall is the first stall, that is, the one closest to the entrance of the facility or accessible route. Based on my observations over 17 years of using a side lift van this is not the best configuration. The best location for the van accessible stall is actually furthest away from the accessible route.

I. So what is the problem with the location of stalls?

1. The "walking" disabled (see below) will always 99.9% of the time take the disabled stall closest to their destination. This guarantees that the slot will not be available to a side-lift wheel chair van 99.9% of the time.

2. Non-van disabled and able-bodied people do not understand what a van accessible stall is so are insensitive to this problem.

3. A wheel chair van being driven by the disabled person alone cannot park in a non-van accessible slot since the 8 ft. passenger side clearance is required both to exit the van and reenter when leaving. Yes we do travel independently and spend lots of money.

4. There are too many state disabled permits issued and the criteria is not uniform. There are no instructions provided about van accessible slots with the permits. There are not "van-access" and"regular permits" - it is the same permit and needs to be standard between states.

5. Van accessible slots are not marked "Side Lift Van Only". Some CostCo stores include signs on their (closest to building!) van accessible slots saying "For Van Only". Several college campuses restrict van accessible parking spaces to side-lift vans. However this can be confusing to out of state visitors with permits and discriminates against the "walking" disabled with severe distance restrictions.

From ADA/ABA 2004: "502.6 Identification. Parking space identification signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1. Signs identifying van parking spaces shall contain the designation “van accessible.” Signs shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground surface measured to the bottom of the sign.

Advisory 502.6 Identification. The required “van accessible” designation is intended to be informative, not restrictive, in identifying those spaces that are better suited for van use. Enforcement of motor vehicle laws, including parking privileges, is a local matter.

502.7 Relationship to Accessible Routes. Parking spaces and access aisles shall be designed so that cars and vans, when parked, cannot obstruct the required clear width of adjacent accessible routes.

Advisory 502.7 Relationship to Accessible Routes. Wheel stops are an effective way to prevent vehicle overhangs from reducing the clear width of accessible routes."

6. Who is more disabled - the "walking" disabled?

When dealing with disabled parking stalls, many people think of people in wheel chairs. But physical disabilities are diverse - some people use canes, walkers, crutches, braces, prosthesis, or no visible mechanical aid. Common to most non-wheelchair disabled is their limited ability to walk long distances or stand for extended periods. Some make tradeoffs between distance and difficulty. These "walking" disabled will always park in the stall closest to their destination because their walking distance is severely limited. It is important to think of access adaptations in terms of this spectrum, not only in terms of wheel chairs.

ADA/ABA AG 2004 contains: "Advisory 208.2.2 Conditions that affect mobility include conditions requiring the use or assistance of a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or powered mobility aid; arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic conditions that severely limit one's ability to walk; respiratory diseases and other conditions which may require the use of portable oxygen; and cardiac conditions that impose significant functional limitations."

Photo Collection of Disabled Parking at a new Target Store. Another Target Store with van accessible spots LAST.

II. What are some solutions?

a. One solution is to just require all disabled parking stalls to be van-accessible with the wider access aisles. That would be the most error free solution.

b. A more practical solution is to write in the code that the van-accessible slots be located furthest away from the accessible route or entrance. This would be more error prone.

c. The US Access Board draft Public Right of Way specifications state that all on-street disabled parking spots be van accessible. This recognizes that the spots will be isolated and distributes one per block face.

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