How have new laws changed accessible parking? How are violations enforced? Here’s what you need to know about parking for people with disabilities.
For millions of disabled Texans, accessible parking is vital to navigating daily life.
A lasting impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990, the blue signage and crosshatches between spots have become more common than ever. They make it possible for people with a range of disabilities — some visible, some not — to access everything from hospitals and clinics to movie theaters and amusement parks.
In Texas, almost 28% of people have a disability, according to a 2021 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles issued 325,966 permanent ADA placards in 2022, including renewals, according to agency spokesperson Adam Shaivitz.
But some advocates feel the system can still improve, as these spots need to be maintained and available when disabled people need them — even when there are crowds. Advocates also say rules around people without disabilities parking in them need to be enforced better.
“They’re abused a lot,” said Chase Bearden, director of advocacy for the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities. “They’re a lifeline for those of us who need it. But at the end of the day, we need good enforcement and regulation of those spots.”
Over the years, lawmakers have introduced laws to tweak the system and address these concerns. Here’s everything to know about what parking for disabled Texans looks like today.
What is accessible parking?
These parking spots “must be located on the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrance,” according to federal guidelines.
Building owners have to set aside a certain number of parking spaces for disabled individuals that have a width and length in accordance with federal law. They have to include access aisles, usually marked by crosshatches, so there’s space for people who use wheelchairs to get out of their cars or vans.
“Most people have no idea what the rules are about accessible parking,” Bearden said. “So, they might park at an angle halfway across the crosshatch mark, and not realize that they actually just made the other spot unusable for someone in a power chair that needs to unload.”
A state law passed in 2019 also requires that new spots are clearly designated with a sign marked with the International Symbol of Access, also known as the wheelchair symbol.
Am I eligible for accessible parking?
To qualify for these parking spaces, a person must have a medical condition that meets the state’s legal definition of disability. This can include people who are blind and people with mobility issues caused by a number of conditions, including lung disease or arthritis, according to the state’s DMV website.
Texas also offers temporary placards, which are red, for people who might have broken bones or muscle conditions that they don’t expect to last longer than six months.
Source: The Texas Tribune
Photo Credit: Eli Hartman/ The Texas Tribune
