#accessible icon

[interlockingpatches]

take a hike!

[good-sign]

Active priority seats Except for the wheel chair, the other 2 are really active. They should change the one in the middle by the Active Accessible Icon to have a perfect trio. Seen in Budapest, Hungary.

[good-sign]

Acessible Icon in real life Some time ago I learnt about the Accessible Icon project and this is the first time I saw it in use in real life. Nice played Circus Knie! Seen in Zürich, Switzerland

[99stepsny]

39. THE ACCESSIBLE ICON PROJECT

Update the accessibility symbol throughout NYC

(Image: Accessible Icon Project)

The 'handicapped' icon is so common that it is part of the background of an American city. However, look closely, and the person appears static, an obvious invalid who is waiting to be pushed and lacking independence. This is demeaning to the many thousands of people in New York who have accessibility issues but are leading highly active lives. The Accessible Icon Project has designed a new icon to replace the old one. The head is leaning forward and the arms pushed back to indicate activity and movement. The wheel has cut outs, further symbolizing motion, with the person's legs tilted in a more dynamic position. New York became the first state in the nation to officially adopt the new symbol in July 2014. The old one should be routinely replaced throughout the city.

[she-rocks-and-she-rolls]

"Just as the Accessible Icon Project started to gain momentum, I was lucky enough to happen upon their website and found myself immediately captivated by the image before me. As someone who is disabled and values personal empowerment, I strongly identified with the icon. Most important to me is the icon’s display of self-propelled forward movement, conveying full engagement and taking charge over your own life." [read more]

[blech]

The Accessible Icon Project:

Head is forward to indicate the forward motion of the person through space. Here the person is the "driver" or decision maker about her mobility.

Arm is pointing backward to suggest the dynamic mobility of a chair user, regardless of whether or not she uses her arms. Depicting the body in motion represents the symbolically active status of navigating the world.

By including white angled knockouts the symbol presents the wheel as being in motion. These knockouts also work for creating stencils used in spray paint application of the icon. Having just one version of the logo keeps things more consistent and allows viewers to more clearly understand intended message.

The human depiction in this icon is consistent with other body representations found in the ISO 7001 - DOT Pictograms. Using a different portrayal of the human body would clash with these established and widely used icons and could lead to confusion.

The leg has been moved forward to allow for more space between it and the wheel which allows for better readability and cleaner application of icon as a stencil.

[family-in-chronicity]

The Accessible Icon Project

The Accessible Icon Project

Because I have adopted the Accessible Icon as this blog's icon, I feel like one of the first points of this blog should be a discussion of the Accessible Icon Project! 

Whether you have a disability or not, you know of the "handicapped" sign which indicates parking spots or ramps for people with disabilities. You know, this thing:

In order to learn more about why the new icon looks like it does, please follow the link! They will provide far more information than I can! However, I want to discuss why this is so important, at least in my perspective. I think my roommate put it best:

I didn't realize how wrong the old sign was until I saw this one.

It's easy to glance over this and be grateful it exists. But when you see the new one: 

You can immediately tell that it is simply more active and appears like a typical stick figure in its shapes. It gives life to the previous, important, static image. Certain companies have adopted this image to support the disabled community, such as TJMaxx and Marshalls. Other cities have permitted entire parking spots to be repainted by volunteers. This will hopefully be the image associated with people with disabilities instead of the static wheelchair-dominated old image.

In continuation with this important movement, the name behind the sign is changing as well. From "handicapped" to "accessible." To creating a more accessible environment and world for all people despite any differences that people have. This is one step towards proving that diversity in humans is desired and should be encouraged and not stifled. People with disabilities are only "handicapped" because their environment can be unfriendly to what they need. For example, today, able-bodied people can be "handicapped" in America if they have no car and live out in the suburbs or further. Video games even include the word "handicap" to provide support for a weak video game player, for example. This word can be used in more contexts than people with disabilities, as it should be, as accessibility should be considered for all people as well, regardless of ability or disability.

Ultimately, this new sign, to me, proves that we are trying to create a more welcoming world for all people despite any differences. That it embraces diversity. Accessibility embraces diversity and bridges the gap. Let me know what you think!