Temporary Accessibility Solutions
- Parking
- Parking is available, but no accessible parking is provided or there are not enough accessible parking or van-accessible spaces.
Suggestion: Find a relatively level parking area near the accessible entrance and then designate the area for accessible parking spaces and adjacent access aisles. Use three parking spaces to make two accessible parking spaces with an access aisle. Traffic cones or other temporary elements may be used to mark the spaces and access aisles. Provide a sign designating each accessible parking space and make sure the access aisle of each space is connected to the accessible route to the accessible entrance.
- Accessible parking is provided, but it does not have a marked access aisle next to each accessible space.
Suggestion: Restripe the accessible parking spaces to provide an access aisle. As a temporary solution for election day, use traffic cones to mark off the access aisle and curb ramp area. The first accessible parking space provided should be a van accessible parking space with an access aisle that is at least 96 inches wide.
- Accessible parking spaces or access aisles are on a sloped surface.
Suggestion: Find a parking area that is close to the accessible entrance and more level. Provide accessible parking spaces and access aisles in that area. Make sure the accessible parking spaces connect to an accessible route to the entrance. Provide a sign designating each accessible parking space.
- No sign with the international symbol of accessibility is installed at each accessible parking space.
Suggestion: Provide a temporary sign in front of each accessible parking space.
- Drop Off Areas
- A passenger drop-off and loading zone is provided but there is no curb ramp between the vehicle area and the sidewalk leading to the accessible polling place entrance. Suggestion: Provide a portable ramp with edge protection in an area where the vehicle area and the sidewalk are relatively level. The curb ramp must connect to an accessible route to the accessible polling place entrance. If the drop-off and loading zone is not relatively level, consider relocating the accessible drop-off area and using one parking space next to the area where accessible parking is located to provide an accessible drop-off and loading zone. Cones or another temporary barrier may be needed to keep the parking space clear.
- Sidewalks & Walkways
- The sidewalk connecting parking to the polling place entrance is too steep to be accessible.
Suggestion: Check to see if there is another sidewalk that provides an accessible route to the accessible entrance. Sometimes there is a less direct route that can serve as the accessible route.
- The accessible route crosses a curb and no curb ramp is provided.
Suggestion: Install a portable ramp with edge protection.
- One or two steps are part of the walkway leading to the accessible entrance.
Suggestion: Install a portable ramp no steeper than 1:12 slope with edge protection and handrails.
- Branches or other objects over a walkway or pedestrian route are lower than 80 inches above the route.
Suggestion: Prune the branches or remove the items that are hanging below 80 inches. Another approach is to install a detectable barrier under the item that is too low. The detectable barrier or object must be within the detectable range of 27 inches or less above the route.
- One or more objects protrude too far from the side into the circulation path causing a hazard for people who are blind or who have low vision.
Suggestion: When people who are blind or who have low vision use a cane to detect hazards, objects located at 27 inches or lower are detectable. When an object is located more than 27 inches off the ground, it is a hazard if the object protrudes more than 4 inches into the circulation path. To make a protruding object detectable: 1) Place an object or a barrier below the protruding object in the cane-detectable area not more than 27 inches above the floor. 2) If the protruding object can be moved, lower the object so its bottom is within the cane detectable area (not more than 27 inches above the floor). 3) Prune or alter the protruding object so it does not protrude over the path.
- Polling Place Entry
- One or two steps at the entrance prevent access.
Suggestion: If another entrance is accessible and on an accessible route, designate it as the accessible entrance and install a sign at the main entrance directing voters to the accessible entrance. Keep the accessible entrance unlocked during voting hours. If another accessible entrance is not available, install a temporary ramp with edge protection and handrails.
- There is a small step at the entrance.
Suggestion: Install a temporary ramp to provide a smooth transition.
- Entrance door threshold has an abrupt change in level of more than 1/4 inch and no beveled sides.
Suggestion: If the threshold is not more than 3/4 inch high, add beveled surfaces to both sides of the threshold or replace with a new threshold that is no more than 1/2 inch high and has beveled sides.
- Entrance door to the building is heavy and difficult to open.
Suggestion: Keep the door propped open or station volunteers near the door to open it for voters.
- The door handle and/or latch at the entry door is not accessible.
Suggestion: Add an accessible pull or handle to the outside of the door and leave the door unlatched, or install an accessible door handle and hardware. As an alternative, prop the door open.
- Hallways & Corridors
- One or more steps in the hallway block access.
Suggestion: Install a portable ramp with edge protection and handrails or relocate the voting area to an area that is on an accessible route.
- The voting area is not on an accessible route and cannot be made accessible.
Suggestion: Look for another area where accessible voting may be provided. For example, if a polling place in a private home has stairs, perhaps the garage may be accessible when entered from the driveway. If a church’s basement is used as a polling place and it is not accessible, perhaps one of the ground floor rooms could be used as the accessible voting area.
- A wall-mounted display case is a hazard because it projects more than 4 inches from the wall and the bottom of the case is more than 27 inches above the floor.
Suggestion: Place a detectable object or skirting below the case. The bottom of the skirting or detectable object must be no higher than 27 inches above the floor.
- A ceiling- or wall-mounted television monitor has less than 80 inches of clearance between the floor and the bottom of the unit.
Suggestion: Place a detectable object below the unit (no more than 27 inches above the floor).
- The bottom of a staircase is open, and voters who are blind or have low vision can hit their heads on the underside of the staircase.
Suggestion: Provide a detectable fence or other object so voters cannot walk under the staircase.
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