ADA/Accessible Parking

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Policy Number:
UW-6107
Old Policy Number:
TS-18
Responsible Office:
Transportation Services

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

The university provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to provide access to university programs and services, including parking. The university provides accessible parking in accordance with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. UW-Madison Transportation Services is authorized to charge for parking, including accessible parking, under Wis. Stat. § 346.50(2a).

This policy defines the process for faculty, staff, students, and visitors with accessibility needs (temporary or permanent) to park on campus. The cost of reasonable accommodation is covered by the university.

Definitions:
Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)
Each dean/director has appointed a DDR to respond to disability-related employment matters in the workplace. DDRs are responsible for making decisions regarding requests for disability accommodation and medical leave. Contact information for DDRs is available online.
Scope:

Faculty, staff, students, and visitors with accessibility needs (temporary or permanent).

Policy:
  1. Accessible Parking Accommodation Requests
    1. Students or Employees with a state issued Department of Transportation (DOT) permit may come to a Transportation Services Office to purchase a UW Accessible permit.
    2. Anyone requiring a parking accommodation based on disability must contact the appropriate disability authority:
      1. Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in consultation with the Employee Disabilities Resources Office for employees or prospective employees
      2. McBurney Disability Resource Center for students, prospective students, visitors, and guests.
    3. The Campus Disability Authority will coordinate a decision with the UW Facilities Planning and Management Facilities Access Specialist to approve, modify or deny an accommodation request.
    4. If an accommodation request is approved, the Facilities Planning and Management Facilities Access Specialist will work with UW-Madison Transportation Services to implement the approved accommodation.
    5. Approved parking accommodations will be reviewed periodically to determine current needs.
    6. When the person who receives the parking accommodation leaves employment or is no longer affiliated with the university, the accommodation is cancelled. If the accommodation involves a specific stall (in a specific location) UW-Madison Transportation Services will determine the appropriate designation and usage of the stall.
    7. If an accommodation request is denied, the applicant may file a written appeal with the ADA Coordinator in the Office of Compliance within 30 calendar days from the date of accommodation denial. Further information about the appeal process and timely filing is available through the Office of Compliance.
  2. UW Accessible Permits
    1. UW Accessible permits are valid in ADA non-reserved permit stalls (stalls without signs) or Accessible parking stalls, and timed parking stalls (30 minutes or greater) on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus.
    2. UW Accessible moped permits are valid in any moped lot on campus.
    3. Permit holders with temporary or annual Flex UW Accessible permits must pay to park based on the hours of control for the facility. Refer to UW-6125 Flex Parking Permits.
    4. A temporary UW Accessible permit will be provided at no cost to base lot or Flex permit holders, with written authorization from physician. Those with other types of permits, or with no permits, will be charged a fee for a temporary UW Accessible permit. The permit will be valid for up to two months, or the timeframe indicated by the physician, whichever is less. The base lot or Flex permit will be held by UW–Madison Transportation Services until the temporary UW Accessible permit expires.
    5. A temporary UW Accessible moped permit will be provided at no cost to annual moped permit holders with written authorization from physician. The permit will be valid for up to two months, or the timeframe indicated by the physician, whichever is less.
    6. Park and ride permit holders or carpooler permit holders may purchase a temporary UW Accessible parking permit.
    7. Annual or temporary UW Accessible permits must be hung from the vehicle's rear-view mirror or displayed in a plastic pouch on the inside lower left-hand corner of the windshield. Remove all items from mirror or window blocking the permit from view. Entire permit must be visible when the vehicle is parked on campus.
    8. Accessible moped permits must be visible when the vehicle is parked on campus. An acrylic holder (shield) is available for customers to secure a UW Accessible moped permit to their vehicle.
  3. Permit Restrictions
    1. State Department of Transportation (DOT) and UW Accessible permits are not valid at timed (pay-by-phone) parking stalls with a time limit of 25-minutes or less or at reserved stalls. All vehicles parked in timed (pay-by-phone) stalls must be in paid status
    2. UW Accessible annual or temporary permits will not be issued and are not valid beyond the end of the current parking year (August 31).
    3. Temporary two-month UW Accessible permits (moped or vehicle) cannot be renewed or extended without a valid State DOT permit or Campus Disability Authority (e.g. DDR, EDR, McBurney). 
    4. UW–Madison Transportation Services reserves the right to cancel any UW Accessible (annual, moped or temporary) permit if during the verification process the State disabled permit is found to be invalid or registered to a different owner.
    5. All UW Accessible permits are for the exclusive use of the permit holder and may not be transferred, sold or loaned to anyone else for their use.
    6. UW Accessible moped permits are valid in moped stalls only.
    7. UW Accessible permits are valid in timed parking stalls with time limits greater than 30 minutes without paying the timed parking stall rate.
    8. Please see UW-6112 Parking Permit Terms & Conditions for additional restrictions.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Assistant Vice Chancellor of UW-Madison Transportation Services
Policy Manager:
Director of Transportation Operations
Contact:
Assistant Director of Parking Services -- David Berland, david.berland@wisc.edu, (608) 263-6667
Effective Date:
04-01-2001
Revised Dates:

03-01-2003, 12-01-2003, 03-01-2004, 03-01-2005, 03-01-2006, 10-01-2006, 03-01-2011, 04-01-2013, 07-01-2015, 03-01-2018, 02-01-2021, 06-21-2023, 02-09-2024

Retrieved:
06-28-2025 10:14:03