Governor Andrew Cuomo Friday signed legislation updating New York's accessibility signage and logos. The bill was sponsored by two Hudson Valley lawmakers.
Governor Cuomo signed the bill on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The legislation amends existing law to require the removal of the word “handicapped” from state signage. Independent Democrat David Carlucci sponsored the bill in the Senate.
“The term “handicapped” is outdated, derogatory, and just plain out offensive.”
The legislation also will take away the stigma in the accessibility logo. The current universal symbol for a person with a disability represents an individual with a wheelchair, which will be updated to portray a more active image. Democrat Sandy Galef sponsored the rule change in the assembly.