Title 19 Part 300

The intent of this regulation is to comply with Executive Law, section 101(1), which directs the Secretary of State to promulgate rules and regulations related to removing the word handicapped wherever it appears on signs or other means of communication, and to changing the current accessibility symbol.

This Part shall apply only to any signs installed on and after November 22, 2014, whether installed in a location where no sign was previously posted or installed to replace a sign.

The intent of this regulation is to remove the word handicapped wherever it appears on signs or other means of communication as detailed in section 300.4 of this Part and to implement the use of the accessibility icon described and illustrated in sections 300.5 and 300.6 of this Part on signage designating accessible facilities. No other criteria, which may be applicable to accessibility signage, including but not limited to coloring schemes, sizing parameters or placement requirements, is considered by this Part.

The word handicapped shall be removed from any signs or other means of communication where such word appears; the word accessible may be used in its place.

Wherever the universal symbol of access depicting a static figure in a wheelchair appears or would appear on signs and on other means of communication, a symbol depicting a dynamic character leaning forward and with a sense of movement shall appear instead: ​

The following graphic and explanations of its component parts, as provided by The Accessible Icon Project (http://www.accessibleicon.org/icon.html), are included here for illustrative purposes only and to further emphasize that removal of the word handicapped and the updated depiction of a dynamic person in a wheelchair broadcasts an important message that emphasis should be on the person rather than the disability.

​ Head Position Head is forward to indicate the forward motion of the person through space. Here the person is the "driver" or decision maker about her mobility.

​ Arm Angle Arm is pointing backward to suggest the dynamic mobility of a chair user, regardless of whether or not she uses her arms. Depicting the body in motion represents the symbolically active status of navigating the world.

​ Wheel Cutouts By including white angled knockouts the symbol presents the wheel as being in motion. These knockouts also work for creating stencils used in spray paint application of the icon. Having just one version of the logo keeps things more consistent and allows viewers to more clearly understand intended message.

​ Limb Rendition The human depiction in this icon is consistent with other body representations found in the ISO 7001 - DOT Pictograms. Using a different portrayal of the human body would clash with these established and widely used icons and could lead to confusion.

​ Leg Position The leg has been moved forward to allow for more space between it and the wheel which allows for better readability and cleaner application of icon as a stencil.