{"id":2428,"date":"2014-06-30T15:27:22","date_gmt":"2014-06-30T19:27:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myparkingpermit.com\/blog\/?p=2428"},"modified":"2026-03-30T07:06:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T11:06:06","slug":"ny-legislators-support-new-disability-icon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myparkingpermit.com/blog\/ny-legislators-support-new-disability-icon\/","title":{"rendered":"NY legislators support new disability icon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lawmakers in New York are following the lead of the state\u2019s largest city and backing a change to the familiar icon representing the disabled<\/a>. Instead of a stick figure sitting upright in a wheelchair, which advocates argue portray the disabled as passive, the revamped image shows the figure leaning forward with arms raised as if pushing the wheelchair ahead. The word \u201chandicapped\u201d appears nowhere on the blue square against which the icon is foregrounded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"accessible<\/a>

The new Accessible Icon, from accessibleicon.org<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Republican-led state senate passed the measure that would make the changed image the new standard for signs used for ramps and accessible parking. Only signs installed after the implementation of the legislation will be subject to the regulation, which has been forwarded to Governor Andrew Cuomo for consideration. The bill has already passed the Democrat-led Assembly.<\/p>\n

The revised icon was first introduced two years ago in eastern Massachusetts at Gordon College, where assistant professor of philosophy Brian Glenney collaborated with Sara Hendren<\/a>, a graduate student at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, on the changes. What began as an art project for the two quickly morphed into activism. They made stickers and stencils and began posting their version of the icon, which has since been found ADA-compliant, around campus. Advocacy groups and businesses were quick to support their efforts: a nearby town began using their design, and Gordon College adopted it as well. Not long after, Glenney and Hendren launched the Accessible Icon Project<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Accessible Icon Project is part of a general attempt to bring about a public reconception of what it means to be disabled, either physically or cognitively,\u201d Glenney said.<\/p>\n

The group is enjoying success. In May, New York City agreed to begin using the icon, which residents may start seeing around the boroughs as early as this summer. \u201cIt\u2019s such a forward-moving thing,\u201d said Victor Calise, commissioner of the New York mayor\u2019s Office for People With Disabilities<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Senator David Carlucci<\/a> (D) of Westchester County, who sponsored the measure at the state level, agreed. \u201cThe word \u2018handicapped\u2019 is outdated, derogatory and just plain offensive,\u201d he said when introducing the bill.<\/p>\n

With the nation\u2019s largest city backing the new icon and New York State also considering its use, supporters are hopeful that the redesign will gain more widespread acceptance. \u201cI predict it will be a real trendsetter,\u201d Wayne Sailor, cofounder of disabled advocacy group TASH and professor of special education at the University of Kansas, told the press last month. \u201cThat will make a splash.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lawmakers in New York are following the lead of the state\u2019s largest city and backing a change to the familiar icon representing the disabled. 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