Italicized text was added to the original Title III Technical
Assistance
Manual through supplements issued in 1993 and 1994.
Regulatory references: Appendix A to 28 CFR Part 36.
This section addresses exterior features such as parking, portable toilets, and exterior signage in new construction.
An accessible route must connect accessible public transportation
stops, parking spaces, passenger loading zones, and public streets or
sidewalks to an accessible building entrance.
The ADA, however, does not require the provision of an
accessible route
in cases where there is no pedestrian route for the general public.
ILLUSTRATION
1: A developer would not be required to provide an
accessible route between an accessible entrance to a retail store and a
major
highway bordering the site, if customers only have access to the store
by
driving to the parking lot (i.e., where no pedestrian route exists from
the
highway to the store). An accessible route would have to be provided,
however,
for pedestrians to travel from the parking lot to the facility's
entrance.
ILLUSTRATION
2: Where multiple accessible facilities are built on the
same site, an accessible route between the facilities will be required
only
where a pedestrian route for the general public exists between the
multiple
facilities or where pedestrians typically walk between the facilities.
Note, however, that private entities often do not have control over streets and sidewalks. In such a case, the private entity is not responsible for compliance. However, it is encouraged to request public entities to modify sidewalks and install curb cuts.
If self-parking is provided for employees or guests of a public
accommodation, accessible parking spaces must be provided in compliance
with
the ADA.
ADAAG provides a table with the number
of accessible parking spaces required dependent on the size of the lot.
For
example, only four percent of the spaces in a 100-space lot must be
accessible.
Certain facilities, however, are subject to higher requirements.
Outpatient units are subject to a
higher requirement if they are part of medical care facilities where
persons
may need assistance in responding to an emergency and where the period
of stay
may exceed twenty-four hours. For such facilities, ten percent of the
total
parking attributable to the outpatient unit or facility must be
accessible.
In addition to the general requirements for accessible automobile
spaces, ADAAG requires that at least one of every eight accessible
parking spaces have adequate adjacent space for a van lift to be
deployed. Each such space must have a sign indicating that it is
van-accessible, but it is not to be reserved exclusively for vans.
Alternatively, "universal parking," in which all spaces can accommodate
van widths, is permitted.
Accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route of travel to the facility’s entrance. Accessible parking spaces and the required accessible route should be located where individuals with disabilities do not have to cross vehicular lanes or pass behind parked vehicles to have access to the entrance. If it is necessary to cross a vehicular lane because, for example, local fire engine access requirements prohibit parking immediately adjacent to a building, then a marked crossing should be used as part of the accessible route to the entrance.
If valet parking is provided, there must be an accessible passenger
loading zone.
If a lot is limited to the exclusive use of employees, and none of the employees are individuals with disabilities requiring accessible parking, accessible spaces may be assigned to employees without disabilities.
Requirements for exterior signs are essentially the same as those for interior signs (see §4.1.3(b) below). The international symbol of accessibility must be used to indicate accessible parking spaces; accessible passenger loading zones; and accessible entrances and toilet facilities, if all are not accessible.
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