What if we made all parking lots handicapped accessible?

Question

I mean able bodied people can use elevators and ramps so why not make all parking spaces big enough for wheelchairs, walkers, etc?

Answer 1

There are two types of accessible parking space. Spaces that are wider and have an access aisle next to them for lift access and wider spaces that are just designated for people with disabilities.

The problem is that parking lots are all very different and they had to find a rule that fits all best.

Some people need parking that is closer and some people need parking that is wider and some people need both.

If you made all parking wider it would be fewer parking spaces and less income for the nearby business or for the city collecting parking fees.

What makes most sense is to make one aisle accessible with the farthest spots in the aisle wider. People with power chairs don't need to be closer - but they do need to be safe and if there was a specicif aisle with chairs people would know to be mre cautious driving in that aisle.

But that wouldn't work in tiny parking lots or strip malls.

And there would be people who use chairs that woud complain.

No solution please all.

Answer 2

They would take up too much space. There would be a lot fewer parking places if all of them were handicap accessible and with so few spaces it would be a nightmare to find an empty space. People would be very much against that. It doesn't sound like a good idea at all. It's not necessary either. What should be done is to have a few handicap spaces in all necessary places and then punish those who park there without a blue badge.

Answer 3

One huge problem they would face if they tried to do this would be getting the chair down too. E.G. I'm a wheelchair user and I go to an imaginary fab new water park. I use the lift to get to the top and queue in the lovely accessible queue. finally, it's my turn. I transfer onto the flume and set off... That's where the problems start, I can't keep control of my body on the way down so it's a bit hairy but I enjoy it and make it down to the bottom. Then I look about for my chair but realize it's stuck at the top. The lifeguard starts yelling at me to get out of the plunge pool because others are coming down, so I swim towards the nice inclusive pool hoist with electric control so I can get myself out of the water but I'm still stuck because my chair is all the way at the top of the ride... I'm sure there will be a way round this problem but it'll be expensive if the pool builders have to build a wheelchair lift/ramp/escalator to take the chairs down from the top of each ride. It's another piece of equipment to maintain and it's not something the pool people are going to want to do for the small number of wheelchair users with enough function who want to and can use the flumes etc safely. The other option is to get a friend to bring the chair down for you but then they have to queue with you and don't even get to ride the flume.

Answer 4

Handicap parking spots aren't any bigger than normal parking spots.
What makes them different is their distance to the main opening of the store.
Therefore, spots farther away from the entrance would be useless.

Answer 5

I think you're missing the point of handicap spaces.

Answer 6

Because they don't Comply to the Americans with Disabilities Act and they don't have to Comply to the ADA this is America.

Answer 7

then there would be no room for not disabled people (not in a mean way)

Answer 8

it would take up too much time and money.

Answer 9

I'm on board.