The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) helped make public life more accessible for millions of people with various medical challenges. Under the ADA, employers and landlords typically cannot discriminate against individuals with disabling medical conditions. They have to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary.
Businesses that are open to the public also have to ensure that patrons with disabling medical conditions have the same options and access as everyone else. There are various different ADA regulations that apply to different elements of business operations and facility maintenance.
Parking is often a somewhat contentious issue in the world of disability accommodations. Even businesses that provide designated parking spots for patrons with disabilities could face allegations of ADA violations. A lack of access aisles could lead to complaints against a business.
What is an access aisle?
An access aisle is an adjacent section of a parking lot next to a parking location designated for use by those with disabilities. Access aisles make it possible for people to use wheelchair lifts to get in and out of their vehicles or for parents or caregivers to assist someone entering or exiting a vehicle.
There are numerous rules about access aisles. For example, they cannot be part of the roadway within the parking lot. They must be a separate, designated parking space where vehicles do not drive and should not park. They are now mandatory in any facility with even one parking space.
ADA regulations require a different number of accessible parking spaces as well as a minimum number of van-accessible parking spaces with access aisles. At least one accessible parking space with an access aisle adjacent to it is necessary in any parking lot or garage that serves the public. Typically, that number increases to two parking spaces with access aisles once the total number of parking spaces increases to 200 or more.
Businesses that have accessible parking but no access aisles could face ADA lawsuits that could result in fines and court orders to modify their facilities. Those planning remodeling projects or starting a new business should keep accessibility standards in mind throughout the process. Learning more about ADA requirements for physical facilities is important for business owners and executives. Businesses that provide both accessible parking and access aisles can more successfully avoid allegations of disability discrimination than those that don’t.