The Accessible Icon Project

Posted on March 25, 2013 by leahserao

Officially called the International Symbol of Access (ISA), the “handicap” symbol is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. While its service in accommodating those with physical disabilities is without peer, I argue that changes must be made. In its current state, the ‘passive handicap’ stick-figure pictogram portrays a stagnant figure constrained to the restraints of the wheelchair, representing at best an archaic conception of people with disabilities. Just as our language and terminology has evolved in describing disabled populations, I argue that our symbols must progress as well. The Accessible Icon Project proposes an evolved international ‘active accessibility’ symbol to better represent the progressive conception of current disabled populations as active and engaged in society, moving forward in our new century. This progressive symbol stimulates others to re-imagine the active role that those with disabilities play in society.

Website: www.accessibleicon.com Twitter: @accessiconpro

Armless Guitarist Plays with the Goo Goo Dolls

Posted on March 12, 2013 by leahserao

George Dennehy, an adopted boy from Romania, plays guitar with no arms. Watch his inspiring video of playing Iris with The Goo Goo Dolls. He was invited to play when Goo Goo Dolls’ drummer, Mike Malinin, watched another video of his online. Watch the video below.

The Accessible Icon Project: My “Short” Thoughts

Posted on March 5, 2013 by leahserao

Since it is not always natural for people to analyze art for truth, most people do not become uncomfortable with the current International Symbol of Access until the negative connotations associated with the image is brought to light.

When asking people to describe the old symbol, words such as helplessness, immobile, static, lifeless,“cap-in-hand” dependence, constrained, and passive were terms used to describe the image and the message they felt the symbol was sending. The current symbol seems to reinforce and deepen these less-than-ideal misconceptions and possible prejudices we as a society are trying to escape from. Describing the new image with words such as: active, abled, engaged, ready-for-action, determined and motivated, the new image can be viewed as a symbol of hope and freedom since it provides a new representation and identity of people with disabilities.

While words are an important part of change and advocacy, I argue that imagery, or an image, is an even more powerful tool of influence in today’s technological and visual culture. As society evolves, the dependence on communicating with images will progress as technology advances and cultural norms change.

Moving Forward: Activating and Evolving the International Symbol of Access

Posted on November 3, 2012 by leahserao

Officially called the International Symbol of Access (ISA), the “handicap” symbol is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. While its service in accommodating those with physical disabilities is without peer, we argue that changes must be made. In its current state, the ‘passive handicap’ stick-figure pictogram portrays a stagnant figure constrained to the restraints of the wheelchair, representing at best an archaic conception of people with disabilities. Just as our language and terminology has evolved in describing disabled populations, we argue that our symbols must progress as well. We propose an evolved international ‘active accessibility’ symbol to better represent the progressive conception of current disabled populations as active and engaged in society, moving forward in our new century (http://www.accessibleicon.org/). This progressive symbol, we argue, stimulates others to re-imagine the active role that those with disabilities play in society. This is suggested by both quantitative and qualitative survey data collected from locations where this new symbol has replaced the old. In addition, we argue that this progressive symbol becomes a new rallying-point for the advocacy of disabled populations by those who want to express support by replacing their handicap symbols with those of active accessibility.

Dr. Glenney, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Gordon College (also a graffiti artist and activist) and myself were invited to speak at the University of Tennessee on November 29th and 30th for a Disability Issues and Advocacy Conference to promote this issue. The keynote speaker for this conference will be Sam Sullivan, the former mayor of Vancouver with paraplegia. He will be talking about his experiences with the election process, urban and citizenship issues, and disability advocacy.

To learn more about this project, please visit:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessibility-Icon-Project/291203767657196

Main Website: http://www.accessibleicon.org/

You can also follow us on twitter at https://twitter.com/AccessIconPro

We appreciate your support! We would love hear what you think. You may comment below or send your thoughts to accessibilityiconproject@aol.com .

“It’s not people with disabilities” … “It’s people with abilities.” A change in the handicap parking logo

Posted on August 17, 2012 by leahserao

Malden unveils a new citywide “handicapped” accessibility parking sign.

Harvard design student Sara Hendren and reformed graffiti artist Brian Glenney painted the new symbol in the Triangle Inc. parking lot on Aug. 10. The new logo features a bright orange stick person actively bending forward on a moving wheel.

Glenney, the philosophy professor at Gordon College, has a keen interest in how symbols influence society’s perceptions, and said the idea “was to create a dynamic change from the universal straight-backed handicap symbol, something that would show wheeled individuals as active and real people, instead of passive sticks with wheels”.

Changing social perceptions is a priority for Hendren which is why she begun collaborating with Glenney on the new symbol two years ago. Both hope to change the attitudes of people viewing the ‘handicap’ logo.

“He doesn’t sit on a chair,” said Glenney. “He rides on it like a skateboard.” The motto to this logo is that “we are all people with ability.”

The mayor Mayor Gary Christenson loved the logo so much he suggested to taking the new symbol nationwide.

Congrats to both Glenny and Hendren for their new creation! I personally love the evolved logo and hope to see this project continue.

From Pain to Promise: Nick Vujicic

Posted on February 26, 2012 by leahserao

Imagine living a life with no arms or no legs. Imagine living in a world where everyone could see your differences, your ‘abnormality’, your ‘weakness’…

Would you still have hope? Would you still believe in yourself?

Nick Vujicic does.

Nick Vujicic was born in 1982 with a rare disorder called Tetra-ameilia syndrome. Without any medical explanation or warning, Vujicic (pronounced Voy-a-chich) was born limbless. Having no arms or legs, he could not live life the way other ‘normal’ children could. He eventually became so lonely and depressed that he tried to take his own life when he was 10. He often wondered if his life had a purpose, and why God would create him with no arms ands legs.

With the help and support of his parents, Vujicic began to embrace his disability and adapt to his situation. He began to do the ‘impossible, and found ways to accomplish the daily tasks of life, which usually required the use of limbs such as: writing, typing (by using the “heel and toe” method, brushing teeth, answering the phone, shaving, and throwing a tennis ball.

Now 27, Nick is known as a motivational speaker, a pastor, and an author. Nick believes that there is a distinct purpose of each struggle we encounter, and that our attitude toward those struggles is a salient tool in overcoming them. He be

lieves in dreaming big, and using personal difficulties for good. He now travels the world to encourage others with his story of finding hope and joy through the struggle of his physical disability.

He is the founder of a non-profit organization called Life without Limbs, and has his own motivational speaking company called Attitude is Altitude. He published a book in October 2010 called Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life and has talked to many people (and even leaders) around the world. He recently got married (which was a life-long dream of his) to Kenae Miyahara on February 12, 2012.

He is truly an inspiration to me, and I encourage you to read his book and watch his talks on YouTube.

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Category Archives: Physical Disability