Erin Kelly takes a look at the path of action in New York’s changes to the handicap parking sign.
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Change is inevitably everywhere. It happens when the wind blows, when the hands of a clock usher in a new hour and when your bones grow a year older. You can see it, hear it, and feel it—and as it happens, you sometimes get the sense that you’re not the only one affected by it.
… it lifts people higher than they once were and brings a greater good for everyone involved.
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In that moment of realization, there’s a spark of hope. It’s not the kind of hope that hangs by a thread or is often lost in the midst of tragedy. It’s the kind of hope that, whatever change may come, it lifts people higher than they once were and brings a greater good for everyone involved.
When it comes to the disabled community in New York, a simple sign may bring the change to them— as well as others in The Big Apple—perhaps they didn’t know they needed.
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In late July, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that will require iconic blue and white handicap parking signs to be changed throughout the state of New York. The change comes in light of the ongoing misuse of the word ‘handicapped’, a term that many disability advocates are calling “outdated” and offensive to the disabled.
According to this July 25 article from Star Gazette, the new sign—which will depict a wheelchair in motion instead of the original stick figure model—looks to prevent other disability-related signs from using ‘handicapped’ in their wording, as per the newly-signed law.
In a statement regarding this law, Gov. Cuomo said,
“New York has long been a leader when it comes to fighting discrimination to protect New Yorkers, including people with disabilities. This [law] is an important step in correcting society’s understanding of accessibility and eliminating a stigma for more than one million New Yorkers.”
The July 25 report goes on to say that New York is the first state to pass a law of this kind, and that the new sign will retain the classic blue and white colors of the old one that’s been marking accessibility and wheelchair designated parking spots nationwide for decades.
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Looking at all this through the eyes of a disabled individual, I’m at a crossroad. The fact that New York—a place that’s considered the “melting pot” of the world—is taking the initiative to do something that’s never been done before is very daring and deserves to be applauded. In fact, if this was going to happen for the first time in any part of the world, I’m glad it’s New York—because it’s seemingly so diverse there. People are likely accustomed to big changes there, too—perhaps more so than other places, as we’ve seen New York rebound from the tragic events of September 11.
However, I think the argument can be made that there are still going to be some people out there who will be “stuck in their ways” and are still going to view the disabled the same way they always did before news of this law and revamped sign even surfaced.
One sign isn’t going to completely sway the views of an entire state or demographic.
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Much like an opinion poll or a vote, one sign isn’t going to completely sway the views of an entire state or demographic. I think it’s going to take time just like anything else—and even then it might not be enough for people to change their minds or perhaps challenge their way of thinking. The unfortunate part about that is that those individuals will the ones who still walk through life with blinders on.
That’s not to say people won’t take notice of the sign or the law, however. They undoubtedly will. Whether or not they take heed and truly look at the changes that are being made—and why they’re being made—is the million dollar question. Moreover, if these changes do catch on and people respond to them in a positive way, how long will it be until the most recognized sign for the disabled gets a nationwide facelift?
I, for one, don’t want to live in a world where it’s OK to go unnoticed. I don’t want to go through life and not do what I can to make a difference in the word. I do it through words. Others do it through action.
The New York government is obviously taking the path of action—and if that’s what it takes for people to take their blinders off, who can be up in arms about the lawmakers’ attempt? If anything, it is a step in the right direction—but the question still remains:
Who’s willing to march beside these lawmakers and follow their lead?
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Very enjoyable article. I agree with you, that the sign change won’t change everyone’s mind, but boy it is a huge improvement. I’ve been in a wheelchair off and on my entire life. For a period of time, I was relatively able bodied, but as that faded away I found myself becoming like the old icon – static. That was mostly my own fault, but in a world where everyone else thinks that this is the way you should be, it’s easy to fall into the trap. In the work I do on the side (in adaptive sports), I am… Read more »
Great post, Erin! (And a very thoughtful comment, Lisa!)
Just looked this up … the new icon was created by Sara Hendren & Brian Glenney, who generously placed it in the public domain:
http://www.accessibleicon.org/icon.html
Thanks for this Erin. I am first of all grateful for your voice in issues of the disabled. I live in New York. And one of the things I love most about the city is the way they have found a way for 8 million people to live on an island and peacefully co-exist. I’ve also been (temporarily) disabled twice now and had to re-learn to walk twice in my life. Once after being paralyzed by meningitis and once after a hip replacement. I do not for a minute take my legs for granted, and am grateful for being able… Read more »