Arlington Adds More Accessible Parking, Payment Options To High-Density Areas

Press release from the Arlington County Government:

August 19, 2020

The County has installed an additional 60 ADA-accessible on-street parking spaces for a total of 212.

The spaces — located throughout eight areas of high residential and business density — feature meters with near field communication (NFC), allowing customers to pay by waving a smartphone within a short distance. The adjusted parking areas also allows for easier access to popular areas throughout the County.

In 2016, the highly respected advocacy group National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) brought to the County concerns about Arlington’s total number of accessible metered street parking spaces and the difficulty for people with disabilities to physically make payment using credit cards, cash and coins. The County agreed to undertake an analysis to review the need for additional accessible parking and investigate alternative payment options. Arlington became an early adopter of new technologies like NFC and worked with a firm specializing in accessible design to find ways to expand the accessible street parking inventory.

“NCIL appreciates the time and resources that the County has devoted to considering and addressing its concerns” said Kelly Buckland, executive director of the National Council on Independent Living. “The new meters will be easier to use by some persons with disabilities. The combination of an increase in accessible parking, and modifications to make existing designated spaces more accessible, will improve the ability of persons with disabilities to access County programs, and to reach County restaurants, stores and other public accommodations.”

Arlington also offers a Residential Disabled Parking Program to assist in dedicating on-street parking spaces near homes.

“The County wants to make getting around town as easy as possible, especially for those whose needs can benefit from new technology and improved access,” said County Board Chair Libby Garvey. “The NCIL has helped guide us toward offering improved ways to park and make the most of Arlington.”

See more information on disability parking in Arlington and a list of accessible parking locations.

This press release was produced by the Arlington County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.