TITLE: Title
Information Regarding Research on the Accessible Icon Project in the Town of Carrboro
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item it to update the Board of Aldermen on the Public Works Department’s research into the possible implementation of the new wheelchair Accessible Icon Project for the Town of Carrboro.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
CONTACT INFORMATION: JD Freeman, 919-918-7425
INFORMATION: In 2010 Sara Hendren, an assistant professor of design at Harvard Graduate School of Design, set out to modernize the commonly accepted symbol for disability, the International Symbol of Access. Ms. Hendren teamed with philosophy professor Brian Glenney to develop an image that shows a life in motion.
The 1968 era logo predates the digital era and is an immediate catalyst for change. The new design will encourage discussion about access, challenge perceptions of disability, and encourage a sense of inclusion and appreciation for the often overlooked members of the disability community. Most recently, the City of Durham and the City of New Bern, North
Carolina implemented the Accessible Icon Project. Orange County is also in the process of updating the icon.
The proposed alternative logo is not approved by the appropriate authorities as outlined within the memo quoted and linked below from the Federal Highways Administration:
“These alternative symbol designs have not been adopted or endorsed by the U. S. Access Board, which is responsible for promulgating Federal rules on accessibility and whose members include the U. S. Department of Justice and U. S. Department of Transportation. Additionally, the International Organization for Standardization, which established the official symbol, has stated that it does not support the alternative symbol design being promoted. The only symbols allowed for use in traffic control device applications are those adopted in the MUTCD or approved provisionally through the MUTCD official experimentation process...Further, the use of non-conforming symbols-whether by approval of local authority or by actions of citizens who deface a traffic control device-compromises the enforceability of these devices.” <http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/interpretations/2_09_111.htm><http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/interpretations/2_09_111.htm>
The Town has the authority to change the paintings on the ground, as they are not required or mandated by the MUTCD. Town staff intends to investigate the possibility of changing these in coordination with parking lot resurfacing projects.
The Town’s Public Works Department will continue to research the project and provide further updates to the Board as information becomes available.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: Future agenda materials will be provided with impacts associated with cost and staff impacts.
RECOMMENDATION:r It is recommended that the Board of Aldermen receive this information.