After the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, in 1990, the inclusion of accessible parking spaces was made a mandatory requirement for all buildings and establishments across the country. These parking spaces are identified through their unique appearance, with their margin lines painted in blue instead of the traditional white and featuring the accessibility symbol accompanied by text clearly outlining the space as for individuals with disabilities only.
Despite all of these notable alterations, it is not uncommon to see an able-bodied person utilizing these parking spaces when they should not be. Sure, these spaces might be closer and easier to access, but that is for a reason. Some individuals with disabilities are unable to walk the demanding distances required to get to a building’s entrance through a standard parking lot, so shortening that distance by such a significant amount lowers their risk of injury and fatigue significantly. This is why the non-permitted use of disabled parking spaces was explicitly made illegal through the ADA. Violating this law is punishable by fine.
While the exact figure of the fine varies, it should nonetheless be a warning to those looking to abuse these much-needed spaces that such an act is prosecutable.
