City officials feel as though it’s time for some terminology changes regarding the term “handicapped” when mentioned on city property.
Parking spaces and signs in buildings should omit the word and instead say “accessible for persons with disabilities,” said Councilman Steve Patterson, D-at large at Monday’s city council meeting.
Patterson said this change has been a long time coming, and it’s the first time council has put something forward to address the word change.
Noting federal legislation signed into law in the early 1990s, Patterson said signage should be “person-first,” meaning it should refer those who are disabled as people before acknowledging an irregularity.
Patterson also said the word “handicapped” implies helplessness and a sense of a person being incapable of something, which isn’t true. He added that he has heard an outcry from disabled persons in the area about the choice of language and referred to the word as “archaic.”
“People feel that it’s labeling,” Patterson said.
Councilman Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, agreed that the move is coming a little late but is still necessary.
“It just makes sense that we’re acknowledging person-first terminology,” Butler said.
The changes, Patterson said, will be most prominent in changing parking terminology from “handicap accessible “ to “accessible for persons with disabilities.” This is meant to ensure the word “handicapped” doesn’t look like a barrier on what a disabled person can do.
Changes were also made to appropriate funds for seasonal staffing levels at events like Halloween, to cover increased auxiliary. Patterson introduced the ordinance so the city can hire staffers for both Friday and Saturday of Halloween.
“They don’t necessarily make that much, but this covers it,” Patterson said.
Also at council, an ordinance authorizing the purchase of softening salt for the water treatment plant was adopted. Butler said the salt will be purchased sometime next year.
An ordinance was also introduced by Councilwoman Chris Fahl, D-4th Ward, to change board membership for the Historical and Architectural Preservation board, making all members voters.
“They just thought that if people were going to be on the board, that they should be able to vote,” Fahl said.
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