SIA Member Max Reid writes:

The International Symbol of Access was designed in 1968 by Susanne Koefed for Rehabilitation International, and although copyrighted, it was decided to keep the symbol in the public domain to ensure its wide use. In practice, the pictogram can be seen in a number of versions. As an active wheelchair user, I feel that none of these symbols describes me or any of the other people with disabilities that I know. In the forty years since the original design, enormous advances have been made in the treatment and rehabilitation of people with disabilities, and I think a more dynamic pictogram is needed to reflect this.

I offer my own suggestion just click on the link below to see it. I think he looks as though he's about to go somewhere, to do something; and if he needs some help, he'll ask for it. If you like it, feel free to use and publicise it. If you want to tweak it, that's fine. I hold the copyright, but I am making it freely available for any non-commercial use. If it helps to change the image of disabled people from passive to active, that will be reward enough for me.

Please email me with any comments or suggestions; and especially with any ideas about how to promote it.

International Symbol of Access

Max Reid
email: HalfmanHalfwheelchairAllmusic@gmail.com
July 2011