2016 ADA CHECKLIST FOR POLLING PLACES

Arriving at the Polling Place: Parking

If parking is provided for voters, accessible parking must be provided for people with disabilities. An accessible space is composed of three elements: the parking space, an access aisle adjacent to the space that is wide enough to allow voters with a mobility disability to get out of their car or van, and signage designating it as an accessible space. The 2010 Standards require one accessible parking space per 25 parking spaces provided (up to the first 100 spaces). One of six (or fraction of six) accessible parking spaces, but always at least one, must be van accessible. Generally, the access aisle must be at least 60 inches wide for cars and 96 inches wide for vans. Van accessible spaces can also have an access aisle at least 60 inches wide if the width of the van parking space is at least 132 inches. A sign, with the International Symbol of Accessibility, must mark each accessible parking space. Van accessible spaces must be designated as such on the sign at these spaces. Accessible parking spaces and the access aisles serving them must be on a surface that is stable, firm, and slip resistant (e.g., clear of gravel or mud) without wide cracks or broken pavement and located on the closest accessible route to the accessible entrance. The accessible parking spaces and access aisles must also be level to allow a safe transfer from the car to a person's wheelchair. (See Part 2 of this document for tips on measuring slopes and cross slopes.)

A van accessible parking space and a car parking space share an access aisle

Parking requirements are in Section A of the 2016 Checklist found in Part 3 of this document.

Solutions for Accessibility: Problems Involving the Parking Area

Problem One: Parking is available, but no accessible parking is provided or there are not enough accessible parking or van accessible spaces.

Solution: Find a relatively level parking area near the accessible entrance and then designate the area for accessible parking spaces and adjacent access aisles.  Use three parking spaces to make two accessible parking spaces with an access aisle.  Traffic cones or other temporary elements may be used to mark these spaces and access aisles. Provide a temporary sign designating each accessible parking space and make sure the access aisle of each space is connected to the accessible route to the accessible entrance. 

Problem Two: Accessible parking is provided, but it does not have a marked access aisle next to each designated accessible parking space.

Solution: Use traffic cones to mark and block off the access aisle and curb ramp area.  The first accessible parking space provided should be a van accessible parking space with an access aisle that is at least 96 inches wide.

Problem Three: Accessible parking spaces or access aisles are on a sloped surface and do not provide a level area for a safe transition from the voter’s car to a wheelchair.

Solution: Find a parking area that is close to the accessible entrance and is level.  Provide accessible parking spaces and access aisles in that area by marking them off with traffic cones. Make sure the accessible parking spaces connect to an accessible route to the entrance.  Provide a sign designating each accessible parking space.  When the parking area generally is not level, you may need to look beyond the parking area, to driveways and streets, for example, to provide accessible parking in a level area temporarily on Election Day.

Problem Four: No sign with the International Symbol of Accessibility is installed at each accessible parking space.

Solution: Provide a temporary sign in front of each accessible parking space, including a "van accessible" sign for the van parking space.

Problem Five:  A large number of accessible parking spaces are provided, including van accessible spaces, at a school near the main building entrance. The voting area and entrance to the voting area, however, are at the rear of the school and there are no designated accessible parking spaces in this area.

Solution:  Find a relatively level parking area near the accessible entrance to the voting area and then designate the area for accessible parking spaces and adjacent access aisles. Traffic cones or other temporary elements may be used to mark the spaces and access aisles. Provide a temporary sign for each accessible parking space and make sure the access aisle of each space is connected to the accessible route to the accessible entrance.

Three standard parking spaces are converted into a van accessible parking space with an access aisle. Cones mark and block off the access aisle and a temporary curb ramp with edge protection connects to an accessible route to the polling place.