Michigan might phase out traditional disability symbol, adopting one that "moves"

LANSING, Mich. — A bill proposed in the Michigan State House seeks to adopt a new version of the traditional disability logo used for parking spaces and other areas designated for people with disabilities.

House Bill 5876, introduced by Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain, would pick a design that would "depict a dynamic character leaning forward in a wheelchair with a sense of movement," while at the same time, phasing out the use of the word "handicapped."

If the bill becomes law, Michigan would join the ranks of New York state in adopting a disability logo with more of a movement oriented design. The Disability Network of Southwest Michigan has already implemented the new design in all of its parking spaces and parking signage.

Paul Ecklund, an Americans with Disabilities Act specialist at the Disability Network, said the organization supports the legislation that would seek to make the new design standard.

"Disability is part of the civil rights movement and part of that is language, language is powerful, the words that we use," Ecklund said, speaking about the legislation's goal to phase out the word handicapped. "So putting the word disability or using accessible parking instead of handicap parking is really what the larger community is asking for."

In recent years there has been a greater emphasis around the world in evolving the language used to describe people with disabilities. The United Arab Emirates made various changes in 2017, referring to those with disabilities as "people of determination," while also changing signage accordingly.

Back in the United States, not everyone is necessarily on board with the adoption of a new disability symbol. According to The Associated Press, some in the disability community feel the new designs "imply prejudice toward people with serious disabilities."

However, Miranda Grunwell, a community education coordinator for the Disability Network of Southwest Michigan, said the new design's message far outweighs any concerns about leaving behind the traditional design.

"I think of movement and I think of independence," she said, referring to the new symbol. "It shows I'm a person and can move things, I can get a job and be a productive member of society."

So far the bill has not yet received a vote in the Michigan House, but rather, it has been referred to the Committee on Health Policy.