Sign of our times? Revis(it)ing the International Symbol of Access

Abstract

The International Symbol of Access (ISA), used in a variety of specific locations to represent purposely facilitated access, has become ubiquitous throughout the world within just a few decades. Found wherever people move in physical space and needing to navigate environmental barriers, this symbol is among the most widely recognized representations of disability. While it provides daily interactions with issues of accessibility and disability, its purposes and design in different cultural contexts are neither obvious nor uncontested. We sketch the origin, goals and critiques of this prominent symbol and discuss its functions, from way showing to identity construction and advocacy/activism. Finally, we examine current proposals for alternative symbols.

Acknowledgements

This research was first presented at the Society for Disability Studies annual conference in 2004 and we thank the participants for their interest and suggestions. For sharing their knowledge of the design and selection process leading to the ISA, we thank Barbara Duncan of Disability World and Tomas Lagerwall of Rehabilitation International. And we gratefully acknowledge the insightful comments of Robert Bogdan and the anonymous reviewers.

Notes

1. Due to space limitations we here present only a selection of modified or replacement symbols. We welcome submissions to an international exhibition we are preparing to show the diffusion and diversity of the ISA and to facilitate ongoing discussions in the global disability community about modifications and alternatives ([email protected]; [email protected]).

2. ICTA, like its parent organization, has changed its name with shifting disability paradigms, from ‘technical aids’ to ‘technology and accessibility’ (cf. Groce, 2002).

3. The Graphic Artists Guild (USA) makes digital versions of some prevalent access symbols available at www.gag.org/resources/das.php.