Westwood student inspires change of handicapped parking signs

WESTWOOD — Westwood residents are getting a first look at a new wave of handicapped parking images thanks to Westwood High School junior Nick Fusco, a member of the Boy Scouts who took an idea and made it reality.

“I was reading an article about two local college professors who came up with the idea of this movement to redesign today’s handicap accessible icon to an icon that better reflects people with disabilities. I’m currently a ‘Life Scout,’ and to attain the rank of ‘Eagle Scout,’ each Scout must complete a project approved by a local organization to benefit his or her community,”  said Fusco.

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The 17-year-old Fusco connected with Sara Hendren and Brian Glenney, who co-founded the

and then worked with Westwood authorities to change the icons on the signs surrounding Westwood High.

Along the way, he encountered some unexpected obstacles.

“I didn’t know these signs were going to be as expensive as they were,” said Fusco. “I had to go through a lot of local town businesses and local charity organizations to get funding.”

Once enough money was raised, Fusco took the proper steps to change the signs at Westwood High School.  Impressed by Nick’s drive and determination, Westwood town officials took his project a step further, agreeing to post signs with the new imagery at all town parks and buildings, including Town Hall, the library, the police station and fire houses.

The new handicap icon is sleeker, reflecting the changing perception of what it means to live life in a wheelchair.  While the old icon was flat and basic, the new design depicts an athletic person in motion while using a wheelchair.

“So far a lot of people love my new signs, they really appreciate,” said Fusco. “Especially those that are disabled. I’ve gotten a lot of comments from them saying they like how it better reflects them and their community. They all agree that it shows people better in motion as opposed to just sitting, skeleton-like, confined in a wheelchair, not being able to move under their own power and not life-like.”

After a lengthy process, from his initial brainstorm through the actual replacement of the signs, Fusco can finally take a moment to appreciate how his hard work made a difference.

“It’s been really rewarding,” said Fusco. “This is the first major project I’ve undertaken and to actually see it come through after all of the hard work, fundraising, planning, getting stuff through the town – it feels great.  To drive around and see the signs and know sometime in the future I can look and say, ‘I did this for my hometown.’”

Thanks to Fusco, the future is now in Westwood, and likely soon in many other towns across Massachusetts.

Cox Media Group