Accessible Health Care Briefs: HEALTH CARE (Clinic/Outpatient) FACILITIES ACCESS

2. a. i. Accessible Parking ^vi

“A greater number of accessible parking spaces is required at facilities providing medical care and other services for persons with mobility impairments. The term "mobility impairments" is intended to include:

• conditions requiring the use or assistance of a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other 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; or

• cardiac conditions that impose significant functional limitations.

At outpatient facilities, 10% of the parking spaces must be accessible. Facilities that specialize in medical treatment and other services for persons with mobility impairment are required to have 20% of parking spaces accessible. Other facilities (including medical care facilities) that do not provide outpatient services or specialized service for persons with mobility impairments are subject only to the general scoping requirement in the table in ADAAG 4.1.2(5)(a).”

• Facilities and Units Specializing in Treatment or Services for Persons with Mobility Impairments

  “Facilities or units that specialize in treatment or other services for persons with mobility impairments, including vocational rehabilitation and physical therapy, must have 20% of parking spaces accessible. These are facilities in which the treatment or service specifically serves persons with mobility impairments, such as spinal cord injury treatment centers, prosthetic and orthotic retail establishments, and vocational rehabilitation centers for persons with mobility impairments. This requirement does not apply to facilities providing, but not specializing in, services or treatment for persons with mobility impairments, such as general rehabilitative counseling or therapy centers. In determining whether a facility is subject to this requirement, both the nature of the services or treatment provided and the population they serve should be carefully considered.”

Note: for more information on parking and loading specifications including diagrams, slope requirements, location, and signage, refer to ADAAG Section 4.6 Parking and Passenger Loading Zones.

Figure 1: Health care facility entrance depicting accessible parking, smooth transitions to loading and walking areas, covered entrance, and easily visible entrance signage.^vii