ACTION: Please be sure that your State and local transportation agencies are aware of this matter.

Requests are being made of State and local transportation agencies and municipalities to substitute the International Symbol of Accessibility with alternative “dynamic” designs created by advocacy groups.  One group is encouraging citizens to cover existing symbols on signs and pavement markings with their alternative graphic and, in some cases, has used alternative colors.

These alternative symbol designs are not authorized for use in traffic control device applications, nor have they been adopted or endorsed by the U. S. Access Board, which reports to the U.S. Department of Justice and is responsible for issuing Federal regulations on accessibility.  Additionally, the International Organization for Standards does not support the alternative symbol design.  The only symbols allowed for use in traffic control device applications are those found in the MUTCD.

The official International Symbol of Accessibility adopted by the MUTCD for use in traffic control device applications is illustrated below.  Fabrication details can be found in the MUTCD and Standard Highway Signs. Additional information on this matter is available in the MUTCD technical area of the operations discipline support site.