There 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.

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.