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Pro-Tips-template_Karen-Roy-photos.jpgThere are more people with accessible parking tags and license plates than there are available accessible parking spaces. The Americans with Disabilities Act sets the requirements for the number of accessible spaces required according to the total number of parking spaces. The ratio is approximately one accessible space for every 25 regular parking spaces. This means wheelchair users often can’t find an accessible space to park. Here are a few tips that might help. 

1. Go places early in the morning before the crowds arrive. You are much more likely to find an accessible spot at opening.

2. Ask a friend or family member to ride with you. Then, if you park in a regular space and you don’t have space to get your wheelchair in you can have your ablebodied companion move the car for you. 

3. Go to the back of the parking lot and take up two spaces if needed. Park perpendicular to the lines. This will give you the space you to need to get your wheelchair in and out. Put a sign in your window similar to the one shown here.
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4. IMPORTANT - Know your laws/policies. Different cities have different laws and rules about 
parking over the lines/taking up more than one space.  Check local policies before you take up two parking spaces - in some areas this may result in tickets or fines.

 

Karen Roy, Numotion Brand Ambassador

Author

Karen Roy, Numotion Brand Ambassador

Karen Roy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of experience. Most of that time was spent as a Case Manager for an in-patient rehabilitation hospital. She was the victim of an armed robbery in 1987 and has been a wheelchair user for the last 31 years. She had 3 kids after her injury. Caroline, Austin and Joseph are all in currently attending college. As Ms. Wheelchair America 2019 Karen’s platform was “Stand for Life”. Her platform is about the use of standing technology and other devices that improve the health and well-being of people with disabilities.