by InTrieste
City officials on Tuesday unveiled new Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAA) pictograms near the former Timeus school building in Largo Pestalozzi, a measure aimed at making streets safer and more accessible for children with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.
The symbols, installed near pedestrian crossings outside the Sauro School, use simple, internationally recognized images to help students better understand traffic signals, identify potential hazards and navigate public spaces more independently.
Michele Babuder, Trieste’s councillor for territorial policies, said the project was proposed last December as a way to improve road safety for children with special educational needs.
“This is an important project that uses clear, shared symbols to educate children about road safety and help them recognize situations that require attention in daily life,” he said.
The initiative was developed by teachers and school administrators and supported by the city’s Mobility and Traffic Service. Officials said it is intended to make school arrival and departure safer and less stressful for students and families.
Babuder said the city plans to expand the project to other schools, alongside infrastructure improvements including sidewalk restoration and a new roundabout in the surrounding neighborhood.
He also announced the upcoming presentation of Trieste’s first Plan for the Elimination of Architectural Barriers, covering the districts of San Giacomo, Valmaura and Servola. Officials described the plan as a broader step toward creating a more inclusive urban environment.
