Businesses are required to know the State requirements regarding accommodations for persons with disabilities. This is in addition to the Federal requirements.
For instance, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law on July 25th, 2014 mandating the replacement of the iconic handicap symbol. The legislation was signed by the Governor on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This legislation amended the accessibility law of New York. The result was the removal of the word "handicapped" from new or replaced state signage and updating the symbol of accessibility to portray a more active individual. The signage update is taking place as worn out signs need replacing and new signs are installed.
According to the New York State State article Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation Updating New York's Accessibility Signage and Logos , Assemblywoman Sandy Galef said
A picture is worth a thousand words. The disability community is hindered by outdated language and symbols that stigmatize them and align them with a negative connotation or an image of immobility. These new signs and this new language call for businesses, schools, governments and organizations to help change negative to positive, static to mobile, and help to further incorporate our disability community into the mainstream. I have worked closely with community advocates to promote this first in the nation legislation. I want to thank Governor Cuomo for signing this landmark bill into law.
Commercial parking lots must be accessible to everyone. This includes providing the disabled with parking spaces that offer ample access for special needs persons. It is important that these reserved parking spaces be clearly marked and reserved for those who truly need these accessible spaces.
The US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division provides Accessible Design standards (ADA). Traffic Safety Direct handicap parking signs help maintain ADA compliance and easily alert drivers where they may and may not park. While most states use the federal handicap parking sign, other states, such as New York and New Jersey, require unique state compliant parking and/or penalty signs.
Contact the Attorney General Office of your State to understand your obligations regarding serving persons with disabilities.
At Traffic Safety Direct, we offer a variety of handicapped signs, such as Federal R7-8, Federal R7-8VA, New Jersey R7-8P and R7-8NY, for parking lots.