How To Find Disability Parking Spots In Your Local Area

Wondering how to find disability parking spots in your local area? We get you. There are few things more frustrating than driving around in circles, hoping to find a disabled parking spot on a busy day. Luckily, modern technology has come to the rescue and made finding your nearest disabled parking spot easy.

So, what are the best ways to find disabled parking in your locality? What are the best USA disability parking maps? How do you know if a spot is a disabled parking spot? And how can you request a residential disabled parking spot outside your home? Read on to find out.

What Laws Deal With Disabled Parking Space Locations?

The location and number of disabled parking spaces that must exist in any jurisdiction in the US is stipulated in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA is a federal law that all US states must adhere to.

How To Find Disability Parking Spots In Your Local Area

So, what are the best ways to find disabled parking in your locality? The most effective way to find disabled spots in any locality is to use a disabled parking space map. The best USA disability parking maps are digital, meaning they’re easy to access on your smartphone and are constantly updated.

disability parking spot signpost
Image by Nicolas Torres on Unsplash: How do you find disability parking spots in your local area?

Best Apps For Finding Disability Parking Spaces

Blue Badge Parking

Blue Badge Parking is an app that allows its user to pinpoint their nearest disabled parking spaces, wherever they may be in the world. The app gives its user detailed directions to any disabled space they choose.

Blue Badge Parking is available at the App Store and Google Play.

Google Maps

Google Maps is a great source of information for disabled drivers. Users can update information about any location – for example, a disabled parking space. This information can then be seen by other users.

To update Google Maps, tap the “Your Contributions” tab and go to “Uncover Missing Info”. Here you can add the location of disabled spaces that will help you and other disabled drivers to find them when they need to.

WheelMate

WheelMate allows users to find the nearest wheelchair-friendly parking spaces and also disabled restrooms in their vicinity.

WheelMate works in 45 countries and is updated by its users, so its database of disabled spaces and restrooms is growing all the time. The app currently has over 35,000 locations.

Parking Mobility

You can make finding a disabled space easier for yourself and your fellow disabled permit holders by flagging up illegal disabled parking space usage. This helps to keep spaces free for people who really need them. An excellent app for this is Parking Mobility.

This free app allows users to photograph vehicles that are parked illegally in disabled spaces. The offending drivers are then contacted by authorities and given the chance to complete the Parking Education course instead of paying a fine.

How Do You Know If A Spot Is For Disabled Parking?

Under the ADA, all disabled parking spots in the US must be clearly marked with a signpost containing the International Symbol of Access. These parking spaces are reserved for people who are in current possession of an official disabled parking permit in their name.

Can I Request Disability Parking Locations Near Me?

You can request that a residential disabled parking space be installed near your home. You can also request that a business you work for has a disabled parking space, or extra disabled parking spaces if necessary, installed near the business. However, you cannot reserve these disabled parking spaces for yourself. Any disabled parking permit holder is entitled to park in any designated disabled parking space.

How To Apply For A Residential Parking Space

How you apply for a residential space will depend on where you live. Some places have an official Residential Disabled Parking program, while others don’t.

You can request that a residential space be installed either by applying to your jurisdiction’s Residential Disabled Parking program or, in jurisdictions that don’t have an official program, applying to your local council. Residential disabled parking spaces will be installed as near to your home as possible. They will be available for use by any person who holds a disabled parking permit.

disabled parking signs on ground
Image by gregroose on Pixabay: How do you know if a spot is for disabled parking?

Where Can You Park With A Disabled Parking Permit?

A disabled parking permit entitles its holder to park in any designated disabled parking space. In most jurisdictions, disabled permit holders are also entitled to park in metered, on-street, restricted parking spaces for free and for either unlimited or extended periods of time.

Permit holders are not entitled to park in places that are signposted “No Parking”. Permit holders are also not entitled to park in spaces reserved for commercial loading or emergency service vehicles.

How To Apply For A Disabled Parking Permit

To apply for a disabled parking permit, you must first have a telemedicine consultation with a medical professional. This can be arranged through the Dr. Handicap online clinic. Once your suitability for disabled parking has been certified, the medical professional will sign a DMV application and email it to you. You will then complete the application and submit it, either online or by mail, to your local disabled parking authorities.

Where Can You Use Your Disabled Parking Permit?

A disabled parking permit issued by any state is valid in the following places:

  • All US states
  • All US overseas territories
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • EU
  • UK
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • New Zealand

Featured image by Jakub Pabis on Unsplash

Do Handicap Spots Have To Have Blue Lines?

Accessible parking is vital to many people, especially those with a disability that impacts mobility. If you’re new to the world of accessible parking, then you may have a lot of questions. “Do handicap spots have to have blue lines?” is just one of the many things that are important to know for those who utilize disabled parking. There are many things to understand about the different visual designation requirements for disabled parking spaces.

If you’re wondering how to know if a spot is a handicap parking spot, then keep reading. That and many other questions will be answered here!

The ADA and You

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), in conjunction with state laws, requires public agencies and private businesses to provide accessible parking. The number of spaces in each lot, as well as how they are marked, is dictated by the ADA, which is why signage is universal. Even older lots built before the law took effect to have to meet these requirements if lot is upgraded or a new one is built.

The location of disabled parking spots is also specified by law. They must be in a location that allows the most accessible and shortest route to a building. They also have to be a minimum of eight feet wide and have an aisle adjacent that is five feet wide; spots accessible for handicap vans must be 11 feet wide. A path to the building must also be provided.

disabled parking symbols and signage
Image by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash: What do blue lines in a parking lot mean? It means you shouldn’t park there!

Do Handicap Signs Have To Be Blue?

Under the ADA, every disabled parking space has to be properly designated with signage. These signs must have the “Universal Symbol of Accessibility” on them – the standard image that comes to mind when you think about disabled parking spaces of a person in a wheelchair: a blue sign with white letters and symbols.

These signs must be blue – it’s the universal color so that they are recognizable no matter where you are in the United States. Aside from color, they also must be at least five feet off the ground so they can be seen even when a car is parked in the space. Spaces for accessible vans must say “van accessible” on the sign.

What Are The Yellow Lines Next To Handicapped Parking?

You may also have noticed yellow or blue lines next to disabled parking spots. What are those? The explanation is fairly straightforward: these are stripes that denote no one should park there because the extra space is needed in order for wheelchair users to deploy a ramp to get out of their van, or to have easier access in and out of their vehicle when transferring to and from their wheelchair.

Remember, if you see yellow or blue stripes in parking lots, those are for the use of disabled persons who may need the extra space to get in and out of their vehicles. They are not parking spots, and they are not areas where you can leave shopping carts or otherwise block in any fashion.

What If There’s No Handicap Parking Sign?

You may come across parking spaces that have handicap symbols printed on the ground but no other signage denoting that it is a handicap parking spot. This is against the ADA rules, as every parking space for disabled persons is supposed to be marked by a sign. There are no regulations for symbols on the pavement.

There are exceptions to signage laws under the ADA for parking lots that have four or fewer parking spaces. Residential lots with assigned parking spots also do not need to have signage denoting spaces as handicap parking spaces.

disabled parking universal access symbol
Image by AbsolutVision on Unsplash: How do you know if a spot is handicap parking? This Universal Symbol is the key!

The Americans with Disabilities Act is enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice. Violations of the ADA rules when it comes to parking spots against both businesses and individuals who don’t comply with parking requirements can be severe. There are civil penalties for non-compliance up to $150,000 – and that’s just for a first violation. The best rule of thumb if you own or operate a business or other public facility under the purview of the ADA is to understand the laws and follow them to the letter.

Disabled parking is very important to those who need it, and luckily, it’s pretty easy to spot the signs that let those with disabilities know where they can park for the best access.

Featured image by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash

Can I Get A Disabled Space Outside My House In Tennessee?

Tennessee has a well-functioning, user-friendly disabled parking program. The Volunteer State provides a generous number of official disabled parking spaces for its disabled residents and visitors, and most municipalities in Tennessee also allow free parking for disabled permit-holders in metered, on-street parking spaces.

However, many Tennessee residents live in homes that are not as near as they would like to a disabled parking space. For residents who live an inconvenient distance from the nearest disabled parking space, is it possible to request a disabled space be installed outside their house?

Getting a disabled parking space outside your house can greatly increase your quality of life. Permit holders deserve a disabled parking infrastructure that is well-suited to their needs, and having a residential disabled space in Tennessee can be a real gamechanger.

So, can you get a disabled space outside your house in Tennessee? Who qualifies for a disabled space outside their house in Tennessee, and how do you apply? And who can park in residential handicap parking spaces in Tennessee? Let’s answer these crucial questions now.

road in tennessee
Image by 12019 on Pixabay: Can I get a disabled space outside my house in Tennessee?

Can I Get A Disabled Space Outside My House In Tennessee?

It is possible to get a disabled parking space outside your house in Tennessee. There is no fee to have a disabled space installed outside your house, and applications are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Who Qualifies For A Disabled Space Outside Their House In Tennessee?

Disabled parking permit holders qualify for a disabled space outside their house in Tennessee if it is judged to be necessary. Some of the factors that are taken into consideration when a person applies for a disabled space outside their house are:

  • The availability of off-street parking at the residence (garage, driveway, parking lot)
  • The location of the nearest on-street disabled spaces
  • Whether the person has a permanent disabled parking placard or license plates
  • Whether the home where the space is requested contains an accessibility ramp
  • Whether the applicant is eligible for paratransit services offered by the metro government

How Do I Get A Disabled Parking Spot Outside My House In Tennessee?

So, how do I get a disabled bay outside my home in Tennessee? To apply for a residential disabled parking permit in Tennessee, you need to contact your local department of public works. The local department of public works evaluates applications on a case-by-case basis.

Who Can Park In Residential On-Street Handicap Parking Spaces?

Tennessee handicap parking laws do not allow for disabled spaces to be reserved. Therefore, a residential disabled parking space in Tennessee is not reserved only for the person who applied to have it installed. Any disabled parking permit holder is entitled to park in a residential space once it has been installed.

What Types Of Disabled Parking Permits Are Available In Tennessee?

The following types of disabled parking permit are available in Tennessee:

  • Permanent disabled driver or passenger license plates or placards
  • Agency disabled placard – for organizations that transport disabled people
  • Temporary disabled placards – valid for up to six months
  • Disabled Veterans license plates

How To Get A Handicap Placard In Tennessee

To get a Tennessee disabled parking permit, go to the Dr. Handicap online clinic and set up a telemedicine consultation with a licensed doctor. The doctor will verify your disability and then complete the relevant sections of an application form. Once the form is completed, submit it to the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

street in nashville tennessee
Image by paulbr75 on Pixabay: How do you get a disabled parking permit in Tennessee?

What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Permit In Tennessee?

To qualify for a Tennessee disabled parking permit, a person must:

  • Be unable to walk 200 feet without needing to stop to rest
  • Have had a foot, arm, leg, or hand amputated
  • Have a disability that is certified by a licensed physician
  • Be unable to walk without the aid of a wheelchair, crutches, brace, or some other assistive device
  • Have vision worse than 20/200

Are Out-Of-State Disabled Permits Valid In Tennessee?

Disabled parking permits issued by all other US states are valid in Tennessee. Disabled permits from the following nations are also valid:

  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • All EU states
  • United Kingdom
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Japan

Featured image by Paul Trienekens on Unsplash

The 3 Different Types Of Disabled Parking Spaces

Disabled parking spaces are vital things. To millions of disabled Americans, handicap parking spaces are invaluable lifelines they simply couldn’t get by without.

Disabled parking spaces ensure a core human right that is essential to wellbeing: equal access to the amenities throughout our country. We are all in this together, and disabled parking spaces enable those of us who lack mobility to partake fully in society.

Handicap parking spaces are rightly recognized as crucially important by jurisdictions and citizens all across America. Their upkeep and proper usage is always a high priority, and they are strictly regulated and protected by federal law.

New disabled permit holders might not know much about disabled parking spaces. They may have questions such as: Are there different types of handicap parking spaces? What are the different types of disabled parking space and how should each be used? How can you recognize the difference between the different types of disabled spaces? Does my disability, type of permit, or the vehicle I’m traveling in limit the type of space I can use?

Let’s answer these questions right now.

Are There Different Types Of Disabled Parking Spaces?

Yes, there are three different types of disabled parking spaces in America. The reason there are three types is so the disabled parking program can serve the widest possible group of disabled parking permit holders. The aim is for all disabilities and all vehicle types to be catered for.

Dr. Handicap - Blue Handicap Parking Sign
Image by arembowski on Pixabay: There are three different types of disabled parking space.

What Are The Different Types Of Disabled Parking Spaces?

The three different types of disabled parking space are:

  • Accessible parking spaces for cars
  • Accessible parking spaces for vans (one-sided entry)
  • Accessible parking spaces for vans (two-sided entry)

What Law Regulates Disabled Parking In America?

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is the federal law that regulates disabled parking spaces in America. The law covers the types of spaces, their dimensions, the number of spaces there should be in any area, and the positioning and placement of spaces.

How Can You Tell The Difference Between The Different Types Of Disabled Spaces?

Accessible parking spaces for cars are for standard vehicles without a wheelchair ramp or lift. These spaces are marked by the International Symbol of Access (blue and white wheelchair symbol). They have at least a 60-inch-wide aisle to allow a person in a wheelchair room to enter and exit the vehicle.

Accessible parking spaces for vans (one-sided entry) are for vehicles that have a ramp or lift. These spaces are marked with the International Symbol of Access and have a striped access aisle on the driver’s side that is at least 96 inches wide.

Accessible parking spaces for vans (two-sided entry) are similar to those with one-sided entry. The only difference is that they have an access aisle on both sides.

How Can You Know Whether Parking In A Certain Space Is Appropriate For You?

The right parking space depends on whether or not the vehicle you are driving has a ramp or lift, and who is traveling in the vehicle at the time in question. If your vehicle has a side door with a ramp or lift, then you will need to use a van space. The lift or lamp is the pertinent issue, as more space is required to enter and exit a vehicle using one of these devices.

If you are a wheelchair user who does not use a ramp or lift, then you can use a car space, because the 60-inch-wide aisle will be enough. Whether you are traveling in a car, van, or SUV, these spaces will be large enough provided you will not be using a ramp or lift.

If your vehicle has a ramp or lift on both sides, and passengers will be entering and exiting on both sides, you will need to use a van space with two-sided entry.

Dr Handicap - disabled parking sign on wall
Image by StephanieAlbert on Pixabay: How can you know which disabled parking space is right for you? It all depends on your vehicle.

How Many Disabled Spaces Are Parking Lots Required To Contain?

Under the ADA, all parking lots must contain disabled parking spaces, including at least one space for vans. The amount of mandatory disabled spaces increases with the size of the parking lot.

For example, smaller parking lots with 1–25 spaces must contain at least one accessible parking space for vans. For larger parking lots of between 501–1000 spaces, 2% of total spaces must be disabled, including 2–4 accessible parking space for vans.

How Do You Get A Disabled Parking Permit?

If you do not yet have a disabled parking permit, the easiest way to get one is to apply through Dr. Handicap. You’ll have a telemedicine consultation with a registered physician, who will examine you, recommend the type of disabled permit you will need, and provide you with a letter of recommendation.

Featured image by Binyamin Mellish on Pexels