The wheelchair logo is probably the most well known logo throughout the world representing not just wheelchair users, however also representing a logo for general disability issues regardless of medical condition. This is interesting because it's highlighting disability at first four people using wheelchair. Giving society a powerful visual image that disability is "people needing to use a wheelchair". Perhaps this causes difficulties not just for those who are disabled people that don't use wheelchairs, but also doesn't provide a good image for wheelchair users too.
However logos are very valuable to have! They can provide a lot of information in one visual image that can be recognised instantly. Often used as a warning about danger! People can recognise the logo and understand its meaning much quicker than reading text that describes the danger! This is why we have traffic signs as logos on our roads.
There are also other needs for using logos! They may also provide a universal language for communication. Not just four people who speak different languages, but also for many disabled people who have difficulties reading and writing. Maybe they have dyslexia or/and other learning difficulties. I have a severe dyslexia difficulty and find logos extremely valuable. Including a universal wheelchair logo representing "disability" as this instantly lets me know that this is for "disabled people". So if I'm struggling to find information on paperwork about disability the logo can be a valuable help. If I'm needing help and support while using services within society the logo can also point me in the right direction to obtain help. Without this logo I had to keep asking lots of people which can be uncomfortable for me. So the logo gives me some independents when seeking support.
So perhaps I shouldn't have started this I asking if "do we need the disability logo" perhaps I should be questioning whether the wheelchair symbol/logo is the ideal logo for representing all disabled people. Maybe this is an issue the needs discussion by the disability movements and hopefully include people with dyslexia and learning difficulties.
So if you know a disability organisation that is avoiding the using of logos representing disabilities than perhaps you can tell them about this web page and give them something to think about!
Well this is written in December 2001 and at this time there are no disability logos on this site! Why not? Well this site was started to represent people with hidden impairments many people with medical conditions like ADHD and dyslexia don't think they are part of the disability community! They don't see themselves as "disabled people" even though there difficulties receive much discrimination from society preventing many from participating in society on equal terms. Perhaps because "disability" doesn't have appropriate image for representing all of societies members who are "disabled people"!
However this site will be introducing logos very soon as I try to integrate all disability issues within the "hi2u 4 people with hidden impairments" web site. Hopefully with the interest and involvement of all disabled people particularly those who haven't had their difficulties recognise
by society and disability movements.
If you find this issue around logos interesting and would like to have your views shown on this web site then please
e-mail me (Andy) with your views on this issue. Please make it very clear if you want me to display your views on this web site. Also let me know if you want your name and/or e-mail displayed on web page with your views, so that people can contact you directly.
Now I hope you have found this page of interest it was compose on December 15th, 2001. Using voice recognition software due to my dyslexia I may make changes to the text on this page perhaps to correct mistakes or to word things more clearly. If you find any mistakes I would be most grateful if you could let me know! Many thanks, copyright Andy Hayes.
Hi Andy, I'm writing about the use of Logo's. I know
they are useful but can be misleading. Firstly I'd just like to
mention that when I attended a " normalisational course some years
ago, the use of logo's and anything which showed the person to have a
problem was ruled out. I'm talking about the buses we all see with the
name of special schools or institutions along the side. Some people with
disabilities being allowed to wear badges. Ok I know they have their
rights to wear what they wish, but it does make them stand out from the
crowd. Logo's are ok if they are used as an informative symbol,
but if they are used to make someone stand out from the crowd then they
should be eliminated. You mention the wheelchair symbol. Well
guess what. Although my daughter has mild CP and I have to attend to her
in public toilets, it wasn't until a couple of years ago that I was
asked if I had a key to the disabled toilets. I know she is
disabled but I just associated the toilet with wheelchairs and not
general disability. I feel quite silly about it now. My son
aged 8 and autistic could also make use of the toilets as he wears
nappies when we are out and finding somewhere to change him is a
problem. I surely can't be the only one who didn't click onto the use of
the toilets for all disabled, can I?..Dot
20th December 2001
Hi Andy,
I stumbled onto your site as I am searching on the web for a t-shirt with the universal wheelchair logo for my 4-year-old autistic son. By the way, I can't find one. I'm looking for a t-shirt, with the logo on the back, for him to wear while we are traveling this summer. I truly wish I didn't have to resort to this, but after several summers of extremely rude comments in airports from cranky old ladies about my son's annoying crying and my poor parenting skills, I want an easier way out than having to explain my son's "not immediately apparent disability" to every assuming, all-knowing, self-appointed judge! If people know he's disabled up front, we can avoid the confrontation.
Most people don't know what Autism is and wouldn't recognize an Autism logo. Everyone knows that the wheel-chair symbol stands for disability and most people probably now associate that symbol with many disabilities and not just "wheelchair disabilities". I like the new wheelchair symbol with the guy breaking the chains over his head. It makes a great statement. However, little old ladies recognize the old symbol and seem to have a personal empathy for it, as many of them have handicap parking permits with that symbol dangling from their car mirrors. Logos are an easy way to get instant recognition and, in our case, needed understanding.
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