Nobody's Perfect – The History of the little blue sign
I GUESS I NEVER PAID MUCH ATTENTION to the “little white stick figure.”
I mean, that white figure sitting in a wheelchair in the blue square just told me where the handicapped parking spaces were. The real name of this handicapped sign is the International Symbol for Accessibility (ISA). I wondered where it came from and how it developed.
Back in 1969, the International Commission on Technology and Accessibility (ICTA) held a competition to design a symbol that would show areas that were handicapped accessible. Susanne Kofoed, a graphic designer from the Copenhagen area of Denmark, won the competition. Her design was similar to what is used today, an outline of a stick person sitting in a wheelchair, but her design was not used right away since it was missing a head. No one knows why Kofoed designed the symbol without one, but some say that she was trying to keep the symbol unisex—both male and female.
The ICTA chose her design but modified it a bit (adding a head to the person sitting in the wheelchair) and added color. They needed a color that would stand out, so they made the stick figure white for contrast in the design and chose a blue background. The blue background color was subject to change, although the recommended color was a dark blue or PMS 293C (Pantone Matching System).
This symbol is used today and is called the International Symbol for Accessibility (ISA). The official design is copyrighted by the International Commission on Technology & Accessibility of Rehabilitation International. It is regulated by ISO 7001:1990 (public information symbols).
Need for updating
In 1990, the United States signed into law the Americans with Disibilities Act (ADA). The symbol was widely adopted at this time in the United States and is used universally around the world, almost instantly recognized as telling us where accessible areas are located.
But many felt that the symbol was outdated and needed to be updated since the wheelchair figure does not represent other disabilities such as people who have impaired vision or hearing loss. Some feel that the wheelchair itself is outdated, that it represents a degree of inactivity and disability that does not accurately represent how many persons with a disability function at work, on sports fields, or in the community. Some believe a person statically confined to a wheelchair is insensitive.
So, the task of redesigning the ISA symbol has been on the horizon. It will probably be a challenge to accurately represent all those with disabilities.
At any rate, if humankind can land on the moon, cure various diseases, and develop phenomenal computer systems, a new, updated design for handicapped accessibility can certainly happen.
For people with mobility, hearing, or visual limitations, there are many ADA accessible signs that, though less popular than the mobility signs, tell a person with specific physical challenges where assistance can be found.
The federal anti-discrimination statute enacted by the US Congress was designed to ensure equal access to people with disabilities. ADA Accessibility Guidelines are very specific about how and where special needs signs must be displayed. The point is that people with special needs should not be excluded from enjoying the same experiences as non-disabled people. Braille signage and/or tactile signage are examples of signs that guide or provide assistance to those with special needs.
The following are other, less common ADA Signs:
Visual signs
• Braille
• Large print
• White cane area
Hearing loss signs
• TTY device
• Sign language
• Closed captions
Neuro diversity signs (cognitive challenges)
The ADA promotes inclusion for all, no matter what their challenges might be. Inclusion with signs that might help a person take part in all activities of life is critical in making that happen.
Sister Karen Zielinski is the Director of Canticle Studio. Canticle Studio is a part of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH’s overall advancement effort and has a mission of being a creative center where artists generate works, products, and services in harmony with the mission of the Sisters St. Francis. She can be reached at kzielins@sistersosf.org or 419-824-3543. ✲
