The View from Where I Sit

Tag: international symbol of accessibility

  • Mobility Aids

    Prescription glasses are just as much of a mobility aid as a wheelchair is.

    Why is one so stigmatized and the other isn’t?

    In my opinion, both prescription glasses and wheelchairs are mobility aids that help people with different types of disabilities.

    However, the stigma attached to wheelchairs is more than that of glasses. According to an article on Nautilus, the stigma attached to wheelchairs is due to the cultural understanding of disability and the way it is portrayed in the media. Disability can be deemed as a cultural construct not a social construct.

    It all started with a street art campaign by Sara Hendren and Brian Glenney, who redesigned the commonly accepted symbol for disability, called the International Symbol of Access, to change the way people perceive wheelchairs.

    On the other hand, there is no stigma attached to wearing glasses, and people who wear eyeglasses do not feel any shame in walking out of the door. 

    However, studies show that there is plenty of stigma attached to hearing aids. It is important to note that the stigma attached to mobility aids is not only a result of cultural understanding but also a result of the lack of accessibility and inclusivity in our society. We need to work towards creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for people with disabilities.

    https://nautil.us/why-are-wheelchairs-more-stigmatized-than-glasses-235841/

    The Accessible Icon Project

  • What is Accessibility?

    The International Symbol of Accessibility, that white stick figure in a wheel chair on a blue background, was developed in 1969. It was borne of a contest held by the International Commission on Technology and Accessibility, which was won by Susanne Kofoed of Copenhagen, Denmark. Kofoed’s original design didn’t include a head (probably because she was trying to keep the figure unisex) so it wasn’t used right away; but once the head was added, it became quite popular.

    The Commission chose the blue background simply because it provided a nice contrast with the white stick figure, making the symbol easily visible on all kinds of surfaces. That said, the little stick figure might change some time in the future, as some parties are arguing that not all disabled people use a wheel chair and the figure needs to be more representative of other disabilities.

    This is a good start for disability representation and wheelchair accessibility. I hope the little stick figure changes in the near future so that it can change our worldview on medical conditions and the general outlook on life for people with different exceptionalities.

    https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/12/origin-word-handicap/