ADAAG Manual

Wheelchair Spaces

Maneuvering into wheelchair spaces is often easier from the front or back than from the side, especially where they are paired. Paired spaces allow flexibility for people attending a performance together. Wheelchair spaces should not overlap required exit widths or circulation paths and should provide for shoulder-to-shoulder alignment with occupants of adjacent seats (an important consideration in calculating sight lines). The 33-inch minimum width for spaces provides extra width for maneuvering within a confined area.

Wheelchair spaces must be level (2% maximum slope in any direction) and adjoining routes and maneuvering spaces must provide flush connections so that maneuvering to and from spaces does not occur on a slope. Spaces with side approaches are required to be longer (60 inches minimum) to provide maneuvering for turns into the space.