I’m frustrated and don’t know what to do next. I have been requesting legal ADA handicap parking near the entrance to the courthouse since February 2026; when my 97-year-old mother and I had to park a block away from the entrance to the courthouse so we could early vote. (Both of us have walking issues and official Handicapped Tags.)
Early voting for the Fall Election starts on SEPTEMBER 24, 2026! Will the disabled be able to get into the Courthouse to vote? The County does NOT have legal ADA handicap parking available (According to the ADA Federal Guidelines).
ADA Federal Guidelines @ Accessible Parking Spaces | ADA. gov states “In parking lots or garages, accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrance. An accessible route is the path a person with a disability takes to enter and move through a building or facility.” The current “15-minute parking signs” are NOT ADA acceptable. (There are no Handicapped Signs and anyone can park in the “15-minute parking” area.)
Anyone driving around the Courthouse can see the “shortest distance to the entrance” is on the south side of the Courthouse which has NO Handicapped Parking. All the Handicapped parking is on the east side of the Courthouse which is further from the main entrance. ADA guidelines says: “In parking lots or garages, accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrance.” Isn’t this just common sense?
On May 12, the Elms/Building and Grounds Committee of the County Board met. “Chad and Larry Aurelio also informed the committee of several people that have reached out in regards to putting in more handicapped parking on the south side of the courthouse. As of now, this is not a project they plan to do.” See my frustration.
