Question
I am in charge of determining the needs for handicap parking spaces for our churches parking lot.  We are in a rural area in Texas, so have no city regulations to abide by.  We do however want to do what is right.  Is there a ratio or formula based on the number of parking spaces or the number of people using a facility for the number of handicap spaces that should be available?  If so, please let me know what that formula is.

Thanks,
Craig Brandon

Answer
Dear Craig,
There are some guidelines pertaing to handicapped parking. The Americans with Disabilities Act provides you with those guidelines.
In a parking lot which provides for 250 vehicles, 8 spaces should be reserved for handicapped parking, with at least 1 of the 8 spaces designated for accessible vans only. If only 1 space is required to be designated for the handicapped, it must be a van accessible space but it can be used by automobiles which are displayed as handicapped. Van accessible parking spaces are identical to accessible parking spaces for cars except for the following:
the access aisle must be at least eight-feet wide (as opposed to five-feet wide) to accommodate a wheelchair lift mounted at the side of a van;
vertical clearance of at least 98 inches is required along the vehicular route to the parking space, at the van parking space, and along the route from the space to the exit to accommodate the height of most vans; and the required sign must have the words "van accessible" below the international symbol of accessibility.

The other required features of van accessible parking spaces are the same as those for accessible parking spaces for cars. These include:
the parking space for the vehicle must be at least 96 inches wide;
the parking space for the vehicle and the entire access aisle must be level (with a maximum slope of 1:50 in all directions [TN footnote: A 1:50 slope is nearly level and is usually adequate for drainage. The ratio means that a change in vertical height of no more that one unit can occur for every fifty units of distance. For example, a change of one inch in height over a distance of fifty inches. The access aisle must have a firm, stable, non-slip surface;
the access aisle must be part of an accessible route to a facility or building entrance(s), and
a sign must be mounted in front of where the vehicle parks to designate the accessible parking space.

You may wish to visit your local library which should have a copy of the ADA Act which can provide you with more specific details.

I am glad to see you, and your church, willing to make worship more accessible to your disabled friends and neighbors even though iy might not be a requirement. I commend you.

If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask . I hope this writing will be of some benefit to you.