While touring Germany, Italy, and Spain, I was highly interested in the symbols each country used to signify basic street information. Here in the states, there has been much debate about if the Accessible Icon is legal since it has not been officially adopted as the symbol of access by the DOT or DOJ. While almost everyone will agree that the symbol represents movement, some argue that a new symbol is not needed or can cause confusion. Since I am now interested in exploring the different symbols that exist, I took pictures of the different symbols I came across while traveling.
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Emphasizes body over wheel
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Munich, Germany (I found this sign particularly interesting since it reinforces the gender stereotype of mother and child walking. Why did the designer choose a woman figure instead of a neutral symbol?
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Emphasizes the person, not the wheel. (note the thicker line of the body and head)
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One of the biggest painted symbols I have ever seen!
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On the train
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One of the more funny signs I saw during my travels.
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This was a humorous symbol for me. I found the shape of the body/arms fascinating.
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Similiar to a sign we would see in the states
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More emphasis is given to the person (the body). I found the double line an interesting design element.
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In this sign, the figure seems to be leaning back. Note the same line thickness for the person and the chair.
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Pistoia, Italy
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We can keep spinning with this symbol.
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A half wheel, I also found the women symbol unique
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Accessible Icon!
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Accessible Icon in Orvietto, Italy
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Madrid
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Madrid
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Madrid Bus Symbols
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Madrid
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Reinforcing the mother and child stereotype
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Royal Palace in Madrid
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Royal Palace in Madrid
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Lots of movement in this picture
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Equal width for all figures
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Where will the accessible icon go next?
Accessible Icon Updates:
- DOJ (Department of Justice) verbal approval of the icon during the National ADA Symposium. Read here (May 2015)
- New York State announcement of a slow phasing in of the symbol. Read here (August 2014)
- New Jersey bill in progress. Read here ( September 2014)