Logos have unprecedented powers and can directly affect how the public perceives their meaning. With this in mind, the University of Saskatchewan has some major reconsidering to do.

One of society’s most common logos is in dire need of revamping. The International Symbol of Access, otherwise known as the wheelchair symbol or “handicap logo,” is far out of date and in need of revitalization.

The wheelchair symbol, nearly 50 years old, is sorely outdated.

The Symbol of Access was created in the late 1960s with the intention of producing a universal design that could be used to indicate the removal of accessibility barriers for the elderly, those with small children and of course, those with disabilities.

If we were to take a brief look at the logos baseball teams used in the 1960s and compare them to what the teams use today, it would become clear that almost every team’s identifier has gone under a myriad of changes since then.

However, when we review the wheelchair symbol, the logo today is an exact representation of when it was fashioned in 1968. It’s time for change.

Earlier this year, I met a man named Richard Harlow who told a compelling story about his motivation to become an artist. During his time pursuing his dreams at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, he began to experience blindness.

A degenerative disease took over his eyesight and crushed his dreams, but being as ambitious as he is, he chose to use his ailment as a tool to help others with similar or more serious disabilities than him. Despite his blindness, he was able to promote an artistic activist program and continue working with things he loved.

I saw him give a speech at a convention regarding an issue he was passionate about — an icon that would alleviate the stigma surrounding disability — an icon that would provide perceptions of mobilization and autonomy to those experiencing difficulty. Of every subject he could have orated, he chose to speak about the Accessible Icon.

I followed up with Harlow shortly after he made that speech and told him I appreciated his passion on the subject and that it moved me to make an attempt to institute the idea at my own university.

Now, I try to spread this idea to my fellow students. The wheelchair symbol on campus requires change. The symbol shows a person who is immobile — someone who needs help — waiting for someone else to push them forward.

The Accessible Icon, which I urge the U of S to adopt, shows a person in a wheelchair in motion, pushing forward, without the hopeless attitude of the current icon. A simple change in signature would help to alleviate the stigma associated with disability — a change I believe our university should welcome.

We need to update our logo in the same way we update the way we treat people. As Harlow suggests, the iconography has not necessarily kept up with the evolution of the way we treat and view people with disabilities.

If the U of S wants to be an institution that is ahead of the times or a leader in the push for greater acceptance of those who have disabilities, then adopting the Accessible Icon is the first step.

Any natural resistance is negated because this project is inexpensive and easy and it makes a difference. With a small budget, we could buy stickers to cover parking signs and parking stall logos, therefore helping to replace the current aura of stigma with one of acceptance.

Why wouldn’t the U of S want to be a part of this? We are a leader among universities in environmental and social issues, regarding our installation of solar panels on a number of buildings as well as gender neutral washrooms. If we can make progress on those issues, we can do the same on this one.

Once our community becomes a more accepting, inclusive space, everyone will benefit. We are ahead of the times on many great social issues and it would be great to make advances on this one.

To support the adoption of the Accessible Icon at the U of S, students can visit www.change.org/p/university-of-saskatchewan-accessible-icon-u-of-s-change-the-sign-change-the-attitude.

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Travis Hebert

Photo: Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor