Unified Voice of Disabled America
Up to Specs?
Jewel Osco - Austin & Archer - Chicago, IL

The way it is
The plans below were approved by the City of Chicago


These plans show what are called "Universal Handicap Parking Spaces"
which are not up to the United States ADA or Illinois ADA specifications.
Below are enlargements of two "Universal Handicap Parking Spaces" from these diagrams.


These plans show what are called "Universal Handicap Parking Spaces." These represent how the handicap parking spaces are laid out. We have measured them and can confirm that they are 20 feet deep. The place to actually park is 11 feet wide with a 5 foot stripped access area.          

The way it should be

Quoting from the 'Illinois Accessability Code'
71 ILLINOIS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CH. I, &400.310
SUBCHAPTER b
3) Dimensions and Markings. Each parking space, except on-street spaces, shall consist of a sixteen foot wide parking space including an eight foot wide diagonally striped access aisle. Adjacent parking spaces shall not share a common access aisle (see Illustration B, Fig. 9(a)). In the alternative, all required parking spaces may be provided in conformance with "Universal Parking Design" (ADAAG Appendix A4.6.3), except that such spaces shall not utilize a shared access aisle with an adjacent space (ADAAG 4.1.2(5)(b) Exception.). Under Universal Parking Design, all accessible spaces are sixteen feet wide, including a space eleven feet (132 in., 3350 mm) wide with a five foot (60 in., 1525 mm) diagonally striped access aisle (see Illustration B, Fig. 9(b)). A high quality yellow paint recommended by the paint manufacturer for pavement striping shall be used. Each parking space shall have its own access aisle and all access aisles shall blend to a common level with an accessible route. Parking spaces and access aisles shall be level with surface slopes not exceeding 1:50 (2 % ) in all directions. (ADAAG 4.6.3) Minimum vertical clearance of 98 in. (2490 mm) at the parking space and along at least one vehicle access route to such spaces from site entrance(s) and exit(s) shall be provided. (ADAAG 4.6.5)