For Veterans with Disabilities

I do not know if any of you are having the same parking problems as Little Rock VA does but there is never enough.  I got on Google Maps and looked at the lot and counted that there was 572 parking spots in the one outpatient lot but only 12 of those were legal (wide enough with the space on the side) handicap parking!

 

I knew ADA required 10% of the parking to be handicap at outpatient facilities, but when I called to talk to the guy in charge of the parking lot he told me that the VA has to follow the UFAS which is stricter than the ADA (here is a link: http://www.access-board.gov/ufas/ufas-html/ufas.htm#4.6).  Since he said it was stricter than the ADA I figured that it would have something in there and I was right, they are suppose to be at 10% (section 4.1.1.5.e.ii).  Not only that but under the UFAS, the Spinal Cord Injury Facilities require 20% of the parking to be handicap (section 4.1.1.5.e.iii)! 

 

I am working on getting the Little Rock VA to add in the correct amount of handicap parking, now I want to get all the VA's corrected across the country but I need everyones help.  I have given you all the link and where to look so all that is left is for you all to contact your local VA hospital and ask for who ever is in charge of the parking lot.  Good Luck and if you need any help with it just let me know and I will do what I can.  Thanks

Any progress on this, Wheeler?

SEVERAL VA's have more AND CLOSER parking for staff thAn disabled AND SINCE ITS A FACILITY THAT SERVES MOSTLY DISABLED VETS should have higher standards than GENERAL BIZ. IS THERE A REG SO MANY REG DISABLED tagged vehicle SO MANY VAN/ wheelchair ACCESSIBLE can be parked ? if not there should be - Isn't it also law can take 2 spaces if not one "van accessible" avail close? MAKING THOSE with manual transport aides including most prosthetics especially -PARK FARTHER AWAY Is ALSO in violation i've read. not sure about it for those with electric chairs/segways DOES ANYONE HAVE ACCESS TO STATS ON HOW MANY AT YOUR VA USE DEVICES? this info could help change things. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF non-military hospital standards are stricter?Ii know one is being/been sued over parking. one VA does free valet parking - looks good - but NOT HELPFUL if you're to go across campus without electric assist. CAN ANYONE REACH THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE ON DISABILITY POLICY? FOR COMMENT ASSIST? Has anyone called the DOJ ADA hotline for advice? HAS AMERICAN LEGION VFW ETC BEEN CONTACTED AND WILLING TO ASSIST? I HAVE TO RUN to NON VA MD for some real good specialist care and treatment I couldn't get at 3 VAs.

"IS THERE A REG SO MANY REG DISABLED tagged vehicle SO MANY VAN/ wheelchair ACCESSIBLE can be parked ?"

I think what you are looking for with the van parking is this:

ADA: "208.2.4 Van Parking Spaces.  For every six or fraction of six parking spaces required by 208.2 to comply with 502, at least one shall be a van parking space complying with 502."

 

"Isn't it also law can take 2 spaces if not one "van accessible" avail close?"

I was told there is a law but I can not find it, if any one else can I would sure like to see the law...

 

"PARK FARTHER AWAY Is ALSO in violation i've read."

You are correct, here is one part of that:

ADA: "208.3.1 General.  Parking spaces complying with 502 that serve a particular building or facility shall be located on the shortest accessible route from parking to an entrance complying with 206.4.  Where parking serves more than one accessible entrance, parking spaces complying with 502 shall be dispersed and located on the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrances.  In parking facilities that do not serve a particular building or facility, parking spaces complying with 502 shall be located on the shortest accessible route to an accessible pedestrian entrance of the parking facility.

EXCEPTIONS:  1.  All van parking spaces shall be permitted to be grouped on one level within a multi-story parking facility."

 

"DOES ANYONE KNOW IF non-military hospital standards are stricter?"

Yes, ADA cover this for Outpatient Parking:

ADA: "208.2.1 Hospital Outpatient Facilities.  Ten percent of patient and visitor parking spaces provided to serve hospital outpatient facilities shall comply with 502.

Advisory 208.2.1 Hospital Outpatient Facilities.  The term "outpatient facility" is not defined in this document but is intended to cover facilities or units that are located in hospitals and that provide regular and continuing medical treatment without an overnight stay.  Doctors' offices, independent clinics, or other facilities not located in hospitals are not considered hospital outpatient facilities for purposes of this document.

208.2.2 Rehabilitation Facilities and Outpatient Physical Therapy Facilities.  Twenty percent of patient and visitor parking spaces provided to serve rehabilitation facilities specializing in treating conditions that affect mobility and outpatient physical therapy facilities shall comply with 502.

Advisory 208.2.2 Rehabilitation Facilities and Outpatient Physical Therapy Facilities.  Conditions that affect mobility include conditions requiring the use or assistance of a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or powered mobility aid; arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic conditions that severely limit one's ability to walk; respiratory diseases and other conditions which may require the use of portable oxygen; and cardiac conditions that impose significant functional limitations."

 

 

I hope that helps a little.  To see the actual ADA you can go to this link:  http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/adaag.cfm#a208