Why Is an ADA Compliant Parking Lot Important?
The Americans with Disabilities Act was created to make sure that people who face disabilities have access to businesses and public places. The ADA not only covers everything inside your business, such as the bathrooms and doorways, it also pertains to parking lots. It’s crucial to make sure that your parking lot is ADA compliant.
What Is Required for ADA Compliance?
The regulations to be compliant with the ADA are very detailed. The four key areas that make a parking space accessible are dimensions, signage, pavement markings, and pavement slope. You want to work with a paving contractor who has a good understanding of the requirements.
- The number of spaces dedicated to handicapped parking depends on how many parking spaces you have. At least one of six accessible parking spaces must be van-accessible.
- Handicapped accessible spaces also need to be marked correctly, on the surface of the asphalt and with signage.
- Wheelchair ramps should not exceed a gradient of 1:12. This means that the ramp cannot rise more than one inch per 12, 16, or 20 inches, depending on the ratio.
- The parking stalls should be at a 2% or less slope in any direction and be stable and slip-resistant. Ideally, the spaces should be close to the entry.
- If you’re improving your parking lot, you must make changes that meet ADA regulations.
A parking lot that is ADA compliant is welcoming to the whole community. It’s a message of goodwill, and it prevents discrimination. More importantly, not complying with the ADA can financially hurt your business. Businesses that aren’t ADA compliant can be fined by the U.S. Department of Justice. Should injuries occur to customers, there may be additional civil penalties.
Keep your parking lot safe and accessible by contacting Preferred Paving today to get a free quote to update your parking lot.