What are your opinions about the symbol for disability access?

1. From a design / usability stand point, I'd have to say it is a good symbol because it has been is use for a long time and it is widely recognized.

2 & 3. I do consider this symbol to be for all levels of ability, but I work in the accessibility industry. I think people without my background / experience don't always remember there are "invisible disabilities" that don't necessarily require a mobility aid.

4. No, I think lack of experience / education results in people taking the symbol very literally.

5. Maybe? The symbol with the wheelchair has been in use for a long time. In my perfect world we wouldn't need the symbol at all, because all public spaces, not just the restrooms, would be designed following the principals of universal design. This would ensure they meet the needs of all sorts of people.

The International Symbol of Access (ISA) was designed by Susanne Koefed in 1968 at the request of Rehabilitation International’s International Commission on Technology and Accessibility (ICTA). Copyrighted by the Committee, it was decided to make the use of this symbol open to all. It has been accepted and used around the world as a symbol of access for persons with any type of mobility disability.

Additional symbols have become popular and are used to promote specific types of access for persons with other types of disabilites - for example, sign language use, large print, Braille etc. The symbols are a handy way to quickly reference what type of accessibility is available. I have used several on brochures or meeting invitations to let people know right away if there is wheelchair access, captioning, sign language or other accommodations available. They are also handy used on maps or guidebooks. I have put a link to some in the references below.

If we ever get to the point where a single access symbol is all that's needed, we won't actually need the sign since everything would be universally accessible to all, whatever disAbility a person happens to have. What a day THAT will be!

On one hand the symbol is used universally and it is to at least some degree understood, but on the other and it focuses on only one type of access. A new symbol is in use and I like it much better. It is a blue A inside a circle. I've suggested combining the two so people get used to the A for access and slowly fade out the wheelchair.

Although that may not cover all disabled people but I never had a problem with it, just whatever. On another note, I really don't mind it because I'd hate to see the new international symbol for mentally disabled as opposed to physically disabled, LOL.

I feel that the symbol specifically symbolizes physical disabilities. It is not a universal symbol for disabilities. If you don't have a physical handicap, why should you be entitled to such accommodations?

I have no problem with it. It is an internationally recognized symbol. Most know what they are seeing when they see it.

1. Yes, because I see it as a symbol of buildings being accessible and having Handicapped Parking Spaces for Physically Disabled Persons With Disabilities (PD-PWDs) that have mobility issues like myself that uses various types of Mobility Assisted Equipment/Mobility Assisted Devices (MAE-MAD).

2. I feel like that it only represents Physically Disabled Persons With Disabilities (PD-PWDs) who have mobility issues like myself and not for other types of Disabilities.

3. I feel like that it is meant for Physically Disabled Persons With Disabilities (PD-PWDs) mobility issues like myself and not for other types of Disabilities. The symbol is misunderstood because it cause stereotyping of PWDs.

4. Yes, it does affects people's awareness about different types of Disabilities because various Non-PWDs (Outsiders) when thinking about a Disabled Person, they think of a PWD in a wheelchair and nothing else. A PWD can still be physically Disabled in various ways like having weak unstable deformed ankles and deformed feet and being forced to wear Ankle-Feet-Orthotic (AFO) Braces or having Arthritis in a knee and being forced to use a cane to walk.

5. I think that the white wheelchair on blue background symbol should be kept for for Physically Disabled Persons With Disabilities (PD-PWDs) who have mobility issues like myself who need buildings to be accessible and need Handicapped Parking Spaces. A blue A inside a circle symbol should be used for all other types of Disabilities.