ADA Checklist for Emergency Shelters

B. Parking

1. Typical Issues

During an evacuation, some individuals with a mobility disability may arrive at the shelter in a car or van. When parking areas are provided at the shelter site, accessible parking spaces must be provided. Individuals with disabilities who arrive at the shelter in their own car or van need to be able to park in an accessible parking space close to an accessible entrance. Accessible parking spaces need an adjacent access aisle that provides space for a person with a mobility disability to exit their vehicle. The access aisle connects directly to an accessible route that leads to an accessible building entrance. In order to be usable, the access aisle must be relatively level, clear of gravel or mud, and the surface must be in good condition without wide cracks or broken pavement.

An accessible route connects the permanent access aisle of each accessible parking space with the accessible entrance to the shelter. When an accessible route crosses a curb, a curb ramp must be provided. During an emergency, as a temporary measure, if additional accessible parking spaces are needed, a portable ramp can be provided in a parking space marked off by traffic cones to provide two additional accessible parking spaces (see page 18).

Notes:

1.  Accessible route.

2.  Accessible parking with van accessible parking space.

3.  Accessible entrance to shelter.

4.  Temporary accessible parking spaces.

2. Parking Spaces Checklist

B1. When parking areas are provided at the shelter site, count the total number of parking spaces provided in each area. Is the minimum number of accessible parking spaces provided, based on the total number of available parking spaces (see table below)? [ADA Standards § 4.1.2(5)(a)]

   Yes

    No

[Click image above to view HTML version]

If more than 150 parking spaces are provided in a particular lot, see section 4.1.2 of the ADA Standards for the number of accessible parking spaces required.

B2. Does each accessible parking space have its own, or share, an adjacent access aisle that is least 60 inches (5 feet) wide? [ADA Standards § 4.6.3]

   Yes

   No

B3. Is there at least one van-accessible parking space provided with an access aisle that is at least 96 inches (8 feet) wide or are universal parking spaces provided that are 132 inches (11 feet) wide for vehicle space with a 60-inch (5-feet) wide access aisle? [ADA Standards § § 4.1.2(5), A4.6]

   Yes

    No

B4. For van-accessible spaces (particularly in a garage or parking structure), is there vertical clearance of at least 98 inches (8 feet - 2 inches) for the vehicle route to the parking space, the parking space, the access aisle, and along the vehicle route to the exit? [ADA Standards § 4.6.5]

   Yes

    No

If No: Can the route be cleared by removing or raising low objects, or can each van accessible parking space be relocated?

B5. Are all accessible parking spaces, including the access aisle, relatively level (1:50 or 2%) in all directions? [ADA Standards § 4.6.3]

   Yes

    No

If No: Look for a nearby area that is relatively level in all directions that could serve as an accessible parking space with an accessible route to the accessible entrance to the shelter.

B6. Does each accessible parking space have a sign with the symbol of accessibility that is visible when a vehicle is parked in the space? [ADA Standards § 4.6.4]

   Yes

   No

B7. If there is a curb between the access aisle and the accessible route to the building, is there a curb ramp that meets the following requirements: [ADA Standards § 4.7]

   Yes

   No

B7-a. Is the curb ramp surface at least 36 inches wide, excluding flared sides? [ADA Standards § 4.7.3]

   Yes

   No

B7-b. Is the slope (up or down the ramp) no more than 1:12? [ADA Standards § 4.7.2]

   Yes

    No

Note: 1:12 is one inch of vertical height for each 12 inches of length.

B8. Are the accessible parking spaces serving the shelter on the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrance? [ADA Standards § 4.6.2]

   Yes

    No

B9. Does each access aisle connect to an accessible route from the parking area to the shelter's accessible entrance? [ADA Standards § 4.6.2]

   Yes

   No

3. Temporary Solutions for Emergency Sheltering - Parking

Problem: Parking at the shelter facility either has no accessible parking, not enough accessible parking, or accessible parking spaces are not on level ground.

Suggestion: Find a fairly level parking area near the accessible entrance and mark the area for accessible parking spaces. Three regular parking spaces will make two accessible parking spaces with a shared access aisle. Provide a sign designating each accessible parking space. Ensure there is an accessible route from each access aisle to the accessible entrance.

If temporary accessible spaces are used, mark the temporary accessible parking spaces with traffic cones or other temporary elements. Traffic cones can also be used to mark off an access aisle if designated accessible parking spaces lack an access aisle or if the access aisle is too narrow. At least one accessible parking space should be a van-accessible parking space with an access aisle that is at least 96 inches wide.