| The Wheelchair Icon's Message | | | | deaf, for whom movement is no more difficult than it |
| Access. Sympathy. Equality. These are some of the | | | | would be for someone who is not deaf, the |
| words that come into mind when we run into the | | | | preferential parking space does not compensate for |
| wheelchair icon that we see everywhere, from the | | | | his physical concern. Rather, it is more of adherence to |
| doors of restrooms to the pavement of certain | | | | a principle, that those who have less in life should |
| parking lot spaces. Otherwise known as the | | | | somehow have more in law, to balance the scales. |
| international symbol of access, the stylized image of a | | | | The wheelchair icon stencil is a valuable tool for |
| man in a wheelchair has become the universal | | | | maintaining legal compliance, or sympathy for the |
| indicator for facilities and services that cater to the | | | | disabled, or both, allowing one to paint and re-touch the |
| handicapped. First conceived in 1969 during a contest | | | | pavement marking as the need arises. It is not the only |
| that aimed to make people more aware of the plight | | | | marking that works in favor of the handicapped, |
| of disabled persons, it has since represented people | | | | however, nor is it the only way to indicate the parking |
| who are physically or mentally challenged, no matter | | | | spaces that are reserved for them. |
| where they may be on the planet. | | | | For instance, members of the handicapped community |
| In a parking lot, the wheelchair icon designates the | | | | are advocating a shift from the wheelchair icon to the |
| spaces that have been set aside for the exclusive use | | | | use of a simple capital "A" inside a box, which stands |
| of the people represented by the mark. Though it is | | | | for "Access". It is hoped that this symbol will gain |
| mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is | | | | popularity over time, as a more representative icon for |
| hoped that compliance with the law is not simply for | | | | all of the disabled community instead of just the select |
| the sake of complying, but also because the facility | | | | few who happen to be in wheelchairs. It has also been |
| owner or operator does possess a modicum of | | | | suggested that the "HANDICAP" word marking, which |
| compassion for the unfortunate situation of being | | | | is readily available in stencil format, likewise be used |
| handicapped. | | | | instead so as not to discriminate, or create prejudice, |
| The concession is, admittedly, most beneficial for | | | | between wheelchair users and other handicapped |
| persons who are unable to walk, those who require | | | | individuals. |
| wheelchairs or some other device that assists mobility. | | | | There may indeed come a time when the wheelchair |
| However, as the wheelchair icon exists not just for | | | | icon is no longer as widespread as it is today, replaced |
| wheelchair users, but sufferers of all types of | | | | in favor of alternative methods of marking a location |
| disabilities, even those who are deaf or possess a | | | | or device as disabled-friendly. For today, however, its |
| debilitating heart condition are permitted to use these | | | | common usage and undeniable renown make it the |
| special parking spaces as well. For persons like the | | | | best option at the moment. |