Every time my father took me to church as a child, we drove through a neighborhood in Fairfax that had a special traffic sign.  It simply said:  DEAF CHILD IN AREA.

In my capacity as a Home Owners Association President, I have been asked to provide such signs for disabled children.  One particular group of children, the autistic, are growing at a rapid rate, and their parents want desperately to ensure they are protected.   One such way is to provide an AUTISTIC CHILD IN AREA sign.

I was interested to read VDOT's (Virginia Department of Transportation) position on these signs.  First of all, they are no longer providing them. Instead, they put CHILDREN AT PLAY signs, in residential areas.  That alerts drivers to the possibility of children running into the street.

The reason for the lack of specialty signs calling out a specific disability, like autism is simple and two-fold.  1)  VDOT does not wish to stigmatize children and their families.  2)  VDOT believes such signs, in this day and age, are an invitation to criminals who would prey on children.  Sadly, there are such minds in this world that would see a sign denoting a mental or physical disability as advertising an easy target.

You may have a friend fighting for a sign like this, thinking they are doing the natural thing to protect their disabled child.  And in their fights with local communities and government officials they may feel as if no one truly cares about the safety of their child. 

VDOT's position cares about the safety of every child in the neighborhood.  There is no need to invite criminal activity when a CHILDREN AT PLAY sign will do the same thing:  alert drivers to the possible, erratic behaviors of children.

 

 

Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker- Licensed in Virginia, GRI, SFR, Northern Virginia Short Sale Specialist. Affiliated with Long & Foster, 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155.  To contact Chris Ann, call 703-402-0037 or email chrisann@LNF.com.  Or you can visit her website:  www.nvarealestate.net.

Header photos taken by Chris Ann Cleland.

The opinions expressed in this post are those of Chris Ann Cleland, not those of Long & Foster REALTORS®.

 
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10 Comments on Disabled Children and Specialty Signs in Virginia

OCT
20
2008
1,499,256 Points 353 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Chris Ann...

Wow, I never would have thought about all of those concerns about a sign, but the points are well-taken! Wow.
2:36pm • #1
1,517,917 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Richard:  I thought it was interesting too....demonstrates the change our society has gone through.  I don't think this would have been a concern at all when I was a kid.
3:13pm • #2

Hi Chris.  I don't see the need for a sign specifically for autism.  How will this help more than a "children at play" sign?  Do drivers need to drive differently based on what kind of disability is most prevalent in a community?  No.  The point is to remind drivers to slow down and pay attention so they don't squish our kids.   

As the parent of an autistic child, and knowing others in my community with kids all along the autism spectrum, I would like to see signs reminding people to watch out for autistic children.  I don't think it would keep my daughter from getting run over.  It would, however, help spread the word of the autism epidemic.  While it would be great, I'm not sure it is the responsibility of the homeowner's association.

MarkD
6:16pm • #3
OCT
23
2008

I agree with Mark.  A simple sign that reminds us that children are at play should suffice.  I wouldn't even know how to drive differently with an autistic sign up.
12:11pm • #4
1,517,917 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Mark:  In Virginia, it either falls to the HOA if the streets are private, or to VDOT if the streets are public.  But I thought the point about targeting children for would-be criminals is more a downside, than the positive that would be derived from the sign.
12:49pm • #5
1,517,917 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Denise:  Children at Play is definitely what our  neighborhood is recommending more of to VDOT.  As you said, how would you drive differently if there was an autistic child?  I'm not so sure that it's important for others to know either.  I have to side with VDOT on this one.
12:50pm • #6
OCT
24
2008
1,308,632 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Chris Ann  I am not sure I undestand - is the deaf child one gone and everything reeads "children At Play ----"?  Karen
6:12pm • #7
OCT
25
2008
1,517,917 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Karen:  I believe that if they were already in place, those signs remain.  Children at Play is believed to now cover everything.
7:54am • #8
OCT
05
2010
1,524,617 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Missed this post before.  I can't imagine why you would want to call out a specific disability for a child in the neighborhood.  I can see the need for a specific sign for a deaf child only because the tendency is for a driver to honk their horn when they see a child in the street and obviously this would not be effective for a child with a hearing disability. 
3:12pm • #9
1,517,917 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Cindy:  I really don't understand it either, especially after hearing VDOT's position on it.
3:20pm • #10


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Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker, Northern VA

Bristow, VA

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Long & Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA

Address: 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA, 20155

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