Barrier-Free World
| Accessibility Audit Checklist Parking & Outside |
| We are continuously updating this site. If you have suggestions or questions please email us at info@sterlingfrazer.com |
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Signage of designated parking spaces shall be identified by a vertically mounted sign in front of the parking space, and, by the International Symbol of Accessibility painted on the surface. Vertical signs should be at least 300 mm wide x 450 mm high and mounted with the centre of the sign at a height of 1500 mm to 2500 mm from the ground. The sign should include the International Symbol of Accessibility and reference the local jurisdiction with the appropriate penalty for non-compliance. The paint used to designated the accessible parking spots should stand out against the background. White or yellow paint on cement or asphalt are considered acceptable. However, in Canada, considering our parking lots are partially covered by snow for periods throughout the year, yellow paint is preferred as it can be seen more easily through the snow. The symbol should be painted in the centre of the parking space and be at least 1000 mm in length. Parking surfaces should be level and firm. Designated accessible parking spaces should also include adjacent paths of travel to allow a person with a disability to exit their vehicle and get onto a safe path away from traffic. This should lead the person to the nearest point from the vehicle and preferably not require the person to travel behind other vehicles or oncoming traffic. The number of designated parking spaces correlates to the numb of total parking spaces that are offered in that parking lot. Access from the parking lot to the sidewalk or pathway should be via a curb cut to permit safe and proper travel. If parking requires access to a parking meter, there needs to be a curb cut so that a person using a wheelchair can easily access the meter. The uppermost reach of the average person seated in a manual wheelchair is 1200 mm, therefore, the coin slot must be no higher than 1200 mm. Parking for Cars The designated parking space shall be at least 2400 mm wide and include an additional 1500 mm of protected travel space. When cars are parked along side one another, two designated accessible parking spaces may share a common path of travel. The path of travel should be marked with diagonal stripes painted on the parking lot surface. Parking for Vans Vans require additional space and therefore it is recommended that each accessible parking space is a minimum of 2600 mm wide x 5500 mm long, with an additional adjacent protected path of travel of 2000 mm. Two designated accessible van parking spaces may share the common path of travel. The path of travel should be marked with diagonal stripes painted on the parking lot surface. Parallel parking is not recommended when designating accessible parking for vans. Many people who use vans use ramps to bring their wheelchairs or scooters from the back of the van. If it is used, then an additional 2000 mm should be added to the overall protected length of the space. Overhead clearance around a designated accessible parking space should be a minimum of 2750 mm. If public transportation is used that has a lift mechanism, this height should extend to 3350 mm. Where space permits, separate parking lots should be considered to give people with disabilities the greatest protection when entering or exiting their vehicles. Accessible Pathways Accessible paths should be of material that is firm and slip resistant. There should not be any bumps or cracks on the surface. Any change in surface height greater than 6 mm but no more than 13 mm should have beveled edges. Anything greater than 13 mm should have a ramp with a running slope not steeper than 1:12. Appropriate surfaces include: concrete, asphalt, wooden slats (perpendicular to the path of travel) crushed stone, packed soil, engineered wood products, and natural materials bonded with synthetic materials. All surfaces must be firm, flat and free of obstacles. The path should be a minimum of 1500 mm wide (preferably 1830 mm) in order to accommodate two people in wheelchairs passing one another. Paths that are 1500 mm in width or less must have passing spaces built in every 300 m to allow two parties to pass by one another. Areas of steep terrain or where it is not possible to move off the path should have passing spaces more frequent. Vegetation, signage, or other obstructions (natural or man-made) should be cleared away from the paths of travel. The recommended head room for clear space is at least 2030 mm from the surface. This also applies to guy wires and other braces, if possible these items should not be in the area of accessible travel. All signage, furniture (benches), planters, garbage cans, bicycle stands, fire hydrants, pay telephones and water fountains should be mounted on one side of the path of travel so that a person with a visual disability can easily navigate without having to change from side to side. If possible, these items should be positioned securely on a separate path running parallel with the normal path of travel. This separate path should be at least 610 mm wide and constructed of a different material from the normal path of travel. Where an existing path cannot be made accessible, an alternate path should be provided. Curb ramps should be stable, firm, and slip-resistant. A detectable warning surface should be included on its surface to notify a person with a visual disability when the surface is about to change, or to let him or her know when they are about to enter into an area where vehicular traffic may be. Curb ramps should be flared on both sides if the path of travel may lead a person to walk across the ramp during their normal travels. Gratings (for example, for drainage) should have spaces no greater than 13 mm in one direction and placed such that the long dimension of the grate is across the dominant direction of travel. Wooden ramps or pathways should have the wood placed perpendicular o the main path of travel. Openings between wooden slats should not exceed 13 mm. Ramps and bridges should have appropriate edgings to mark its outer edge, for example a raised lip of 75 mm. |
| No. of Parking Spaces |
No. of Designated Accessible Parking Spaces |
| 1 – 25 |
1 |
| 26 - 50 |
2 |
| 51 - 75 |
3 |
| 76 – 100 |
4 |
| 101 -150 |
5 |
| Dimensions quoted on this page are primarily found in the Canadian Standard Associations' Accessible Design for the Built Environment. You can purchase a complete guide from CSA. |