This is a follow-up blog post on our ADA compliance guide for parking lot managers (read Part 1 here). 

At Surface Solutions, we offer ADA-approved parking lot striping and signage to establish safe, easy, and smooth vehicle maneuvering in parking lots in Pocomoke City, Maryland. Click here to get a free estimate. 

In today’s article, we continue discussing the major aspects of ADA compliance, covering topics like striping, symbols, and tax credits.  

Salient Features Of ADA Compliance (cont…)

• Asphalt companies should use parking stoppers or any other obstruction to keep people from protruding into accessible routes. 
• All accessible parking spaces must have a sign that’s 5 feet above the parking space’s surface. 
• Identification of the accessible space isn’t required in lots with less than four parking spaces and parking lots where spaces are assigned to specific residences. 
• 10% of patient and visitor parking at a hospital outpatient facility, and 20% of parking for a rehabilitation and outpatient physical therapy facility, should be accessible.
• Some parking areas are exempt from ADA guidelines, such as vehicle impounds, law enforcement vehicles, delivery vehicles, and buses. 

It is also ideal but not required that each access aisle be directly connected to a ramp leading to the entrance or sidewalk. ADA also encourages creating accessible routes that lead behind the vehicles. In this case, the pedestrian route should be marked with a contrasting color.

Striping Requirements

Since parking lot striping is a time-intensive process, property managers and asphalt companies must thoroughly review the 2010 ADA standards and the local code to get it right the first time.

Parking lots can be striped with standard paint, thermoplastic, or MethalMethacralate (MMA) coating applications. Cold applied paint is also compliant, but it usually wears faster than the mentioned coating applications. You should aim for a striping solution that lasts for a while.

Also, keep up with asphalt sealcoating to protect the line striping from weather elements and tire damage.

Symbol Of Access

Since 1968, the International Symbol of Access is the standard symbol for accessible spaces. Designed by Danish designer Susanne Koefed, the symbol of access features a person in a wheelchair against a blue background. It is simple yet powerful. 

Since 2014, there is an effort to change this symbol to a more active one. The ‘active symbol of access,’ designed by Sara Hendren and Brian Glenney, shows a person leaning forward in a wheelchair, as if in motion. The idea behind the symbol is to ‘change the way people think about disability.’ 

But while many states are using the new symbol, it is not necessary for ADA compliance. The older, more recognized symbol will do. 

Tax Credit

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that small businesses can get a special tax credit of up to $5,000/year to make their parking lot ADA compliant. If compliance involves removing architectural or transformational barriers, businesses can also take a full tax deduction of up to $15,000. 

That’s about it! Stay tuned to our blog to learn more about paving and asphalt maintenance.     

And if you need help with ADA compliance in Pocomoke City, Maryland, reach out to Surface Solutions right away. Click here to get a free estimate.

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