• The universal symbol of accessibility for people with handicapsHandicapped Parking sign image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com
  
  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) introduced a set of the minimum acceptable guidelines to ensure that people with disabilities have a safe place to park as they load or unload mobility equipment and make their way into a business. The ADA guidelines, however, are only the minimum of what is expected. Individual states can, and have, passed laws that exceed the ADA standards.
  
  

Accessible Spaces

• The ADA defines an accessible parking space as a space for the vehicle and an additional corridor of space to one side or the other to allow room to load and unload a wheelchair or other equipment used for mobility. The ADA further mandates that these spaces should be the closest spaces to the entrance of the business and that they be located on level ground. The number of accessible spaces required is based on the total number of parking spaces available; for instance, a lot that offered 100 parking spaces would need to provide three accessible spaces plus an accessible van space.
  
  

Van Accessible Spaces

• Universal symbol as well as signage that indicates "van accessible" must mark a van space.handicapped sign image by sonya etchison from Fotolia.com
  
  A van accessible space must have an access aisle on one side or the other that extends at least eight feet. As well as the universal sign of accessibility (see photo), there must be signage that specifies the space as "van accessible." If a parking lot is so small that it is required to have only one handicapped parking space, that space must be van accessible.
  
  

Accessible Route

• The business is required to provide an easily accessible route from the handicapped parking space. That route should lead to the nearest door that can accommodate mobility equipment. The route cannot contain any steps or steep slopes. If the route crosses through a traffic area, the business owner needs to supply a marked crosswalk.
  
  

Signage

• Accessible parking spaces must be indicated by a sign with the universal accessibility symbol. The sign must be mounted high enough so it can be seen, even if a vehicle is parked in the space. The ADA has no rules about the accessibility symbol being painted on the pavement, but some states have made that extra marking a requirement.
  
  

Obtaining a Handicapped Parking Permit

• Each state regulates its own handicapped parking permits. In general, you'll need to complete a short form and get your doctor to sign a statement confirming that you are disabled and have mobility problems. The form will tell you where to take or send the completed application and whether getting the permit will cost you any kind of fee.
  
  

Penalties

• Penalties for parking in an accessible space without the appropriate license tag or placard can result in stiff parking fines. Like methods for obtaining handicapped parking permits, fines differ from state to state. In Texas, for instance, you'll pay $500 to $750 for a first offense. A second offense could find you doing community service. Meanwhile, in Nevada, the minimum charge for a handicapped parking law violation is $250.