HONOLULU — The Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB), part of the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, has introduced a new voluntary sign for reserved van-accessible parking spaces. The sign is aimed at helping state and local governments, as well as private businesses, ensure that these spaces are prioritized for vehicles equipped with side ramps or lifts (SRLVs).

Van-accessible parking spaces differ from standard accessible spaces by providing an additional 3 feet of width to accommodate the deployment of side ramps or lifts, either within the space or the adjacent access aisle. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that one in every six accessible parking spaces must be van-accessible. Though these spaces can be used by any vehicle with a valid disability parking permit, they are specifically designed for SRLVs, which require extra space to park and deploy their ramps or lifts. When non-SRLVs occupy these spaces, it creates a barrier for individuals who rely on SRLVs.

“Vehicles without side ramps or lifts parking in van-accessible spaces when standard accessible spaces are available is one of the most common complaints we receive from SRLV drivers,” said DCAB Executive Director Kirby Shaw. “Our goal is to encourage drivers who can use standard spaces to do so, ensuring that van-accessible spaces remain available for those who need them. This initiative is part of our ‘Park with Aloha’ campaign, which aims to improve Hawai‘i’s parking program for individuals with disabilities.”

The new sign design can be downloaded and printed from the DCAB website for use by those managing parking spaces.

About the “Park with Aloha” Campaign
The “Park with Aloha” campaign encourages drivers to extend the spirit of Aloha to parking, emphasizing that it’s not just about “Driving with Aloha” but also “Parking with Aloha.”