Government Administration and Elections Committee
AN ACT MODERNIZING THE SYMBOL OF ACCESS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
SUMMARY: This act requires the administrative services commissioner, by January 1, 2017, to promulgate a policy and adopt regulations designating a new access symbol for people with disabilities. The symbol, which replaces the international access symbol, must (1) depict a logo with a dynamic character leaning forward with a sense of movement, be readily identifiable, and be simply designed with no secondary meaning and (2) provide for the equivalent facilitation and accessibility as the international access symbol (see BACKGROUND).
Beginning January 1, 2017, the act requires that any references in the State Building Code to the international symbol of accessibility be deemed to mean the new symbol established under the act. It requires use of the new symbol in all buildings and structures constructed, substantially renovated, or expanded on or after that date.
The act similarly replaces the international access symbol with the new symbol for (1) special license plates and temporary windshield placards for individuals with disabilities or who are blind, or the parent or guardian of these individuals, and (2) parking space signs for such individuals replaced, repaired, or erected on and after January 1, 2017. In addition, the act replaces “handicapped” with “reserved” on the parking signs, which currently read “handicapped parking permit required,” and “violators will be fined. ”
The act also makes technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage, except that the provisions concerning license plates, placards, and parking space signs are effective January 1, 2017.
BACKGROUND
International Symbol of Accessibility
The 2010 ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Standards for Accessible Design, published by the U. S. Department of Justice and applicable to public and private entities, require the use of the international symbol of accessibility in several different contexts (e. g. , entrances, elevators, restrooms, and parking space identification signs). They allow covered entities to use designs, products, or technologies that are different from those specified in the standards as long as the alternatives result in “substantially equivalent or greater accessibility and usability” (i. e. , the equivalent facilitation exception). If an alternative is challenged, the covered entity is responsible for demonstrating equivalent facilitation (Standard 103).
OLR Tracking: TA; MK; PF; bs