Philadelphia Parking Authority To Address ADA Compliance In Three Parking Garages

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Parking Authority has voluntarily addressed accessibility issues with parking at three of its Philadelphia garages in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The Americans with Disabilities Act and its accompanying regulations require certain properties, including parking facilities, to have accessibility features.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office conducted a review of several Philadelphia Parking Authority garages and identified concerns regarding accessibility at the Autopark at Independence Mall at 5th and Market Streets, the Autopark at Olde City at 2nd and Sansom Streets, and the Philadelphia Gateway Parking Garage at 1540 Vine Street.  Once it became aware of the concerns, the Philadelphia Parking Authority cooperated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to identify the issues, develop a plan to address them, and remediate promptly.

“Enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act is an important priority of this office,” said Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. “Ensuring public access to parking facilities so that visitors to Center City can enjoy Philadelphia is a benefit to us all.  We were pleased that the PPA agreed with these priorities, and our mutual goal of ensuring access for all was accomplished.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is committed to investigating alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Those interested in learning more about architectural barriers to access under the Americans with Disabilities Act may access www.ada.gov, or call the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD).  Information about filing a complaint, including instructions for filing a complaint online, can be found at www.ada.gov/filing_complaint.htm.

The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul W. Kaufman and Anthony D. Scicchitano in conjunction with the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.