Handicapped no more, say Ohio lawmakers
Ritika Sherry |
October 22, 2013
A new Ohio law may soon repeal use of the word “handicapped” to refer to people with disabilities. Lawmakers are also working to remove the term from designated parking signs.
State representatives Michael Stinziano and Cheryl Grossman have pushed for the new law that will take away all forms of the word “handicap” and replace them with phrases like “person(s) with a disability” or “access/accessible/accessibility.”
“The word ‘handicapped,’ whether it appears on a sign or in Ohio Revised Code, is a pejorative reference to people with disabilities,” remarks Stinziano. “The word is obsolete and often viewed as offensive,” he continues.
Ohio may soon adopt the active icon designed by the Accessibility Icon Project. The new icon replaces the old rigid symbol and meets federal standards. It can be seen in New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Canada, and western Europe. Image by npr.org
Counties making progress
The change comes at a time when Franklin County, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and other areas have started taking steps to remove handicap from the new signs.
Marci Straughter, member of the Self-Advocate Advisory Council of the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, says, “With handicap, that sounds [...]