Potential replacement of international accessibility symbol

Your views welcome

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers is currently working in association with the BSI Public information symbols committee, PH/8/2, to assess public and industry opinion on the international symbol for accessibility (currently depicted by a wheelchair) and the potential for it to be replaced by a new symbol.

One of the drivers for the potential replacement of the existing wheelchair symbol is that some people who have a genuine need to use accessible facilities can often be challenged by members of the public because their disability is non-visible

The International Union of Architects (UIA) and Rehabilitation International (RI) jointly invited submissions in 2022 for a twenty-first century symbol of accessibility to represent their core values of rights and inclusion, independence, physical and virtual accessibility for all, including people with disabilities. The intent would be for this new symbol of accessibility to better represent the variety of people who use buildings and other types of built environments. It would therefore replace the existing accessibility symbol which currently depicts a wheelchair.

The winning entry of this competition which was created by Ukrainian architect Maksym Holovkoas, as well as further information can be seen on this link.

This symbol has now been proposed to ISO Committee TC 145/SC 1 for inclusion in a future amendment to ISO 7001:2023 - Graphical Symbols, Registered public information symbols. This standard contains public information symbols for use in all locations and all sectors where the public has access. It is important to note that whilst this new symbol has been proposed to this ISO/TC 145/SC1, it has not yet been accepted and the views of key stakeholders are being invited on this important issue.

To that extent GAI and PH/8/2. the UK mirror group would like to ascertain the thoughts of industry by requesting responses to the following questions:

Question Title

* 1. Do you feel there is a requirement to replace the current accessibility symbol (currently depicted by a wheelchair? )

Yes

Unsure

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* 2. Would you please elaborate on your response to question 1

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* 3. What do you see as the key impacts on society including the general public, should the current symbol be replaced?

Question Title

* 4. What do you see as the key impacts on industry, should the current symbol be replaced?

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* 5. Having seen the new symbol what is your opinion of it?

Question Title

* 6. Do you feel that the new symbol depicts accessibility?

Yes

Unsure

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* 7. Would you please elaborate on your response to question 6

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* 8. Are you responding on behalf of yourself or an organisation?

Individual

Organisation

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* 9. Please identify the organisation you are representing

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* 10. Where is your organisation's main base of operations?

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* 11. Are you a member of either a Trade Association or Professional Body?

Yes

Question Title

* 12. If so please select which one/ones

Association for Specialist Fire Protection ASFP

Brick Development Association BDA

Bathroom Manufacturers Association BMA

British Adhesives and Sealants Association BASA

British Aggregates Association BAA

British Standards Institution BSI

British Ceramic Confederation BCC

British Electrotechnical & Allied Manufacturers Association BEAMA

Building Engineering Services Association BESA

British Plastics Federation BPF

British Woodworking Federation BWF

Composites UK

Contract Flooring Association CFA

Council for Aluminium in Building CAB

Chartered Institute of Building CIOB

Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists CIAT

Door & Hardware Federation DHF

Electrical Distributors' Association EDA

European Phenolic Foam Association EPFA

Finishes and Interiors Sector FIS

Glass & Glazing Federation GGF

Guild of Architectural Ironmongers GAI

Gypsum Products Development Association GDPA

Insulation Manufacturers Association IMA

Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association LRWA

Metal Cladding & Roofing Manufacturers Association MCMA

Mineral Products Association MPA

Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association MIMA

National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers NARM

National Federation of Roofing Contractors NFRC

Roof Tile Association RTA

The Resin Flooring Association FeRFA

Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors RICS

Thermal Insulation Contractors Association - TICA

Single Ply Roofing Association SPRA

Steel Window Association SWA

Structural Timber Association STA

The Tile Association TTA

Timber Development UK

Wood Panel Industries Federation WPIF

Other (please specify)

Potential replacement of international accessibility symbol

Your views welcome

Question Title

* 1. Do you feel there is a requirement to replace the current accessibility symbol (currently depicted by a wheelchair? )

Question Title

* 2. Would you please elaborate on your response to question 1

Question Title

* 3. What do you see as the key impacts on society including the general public, should the current symbol be replaced?

Question Title

* 4. What do you see as the key impacts on industry, should the current symbol be replaced?

Question Title

* 5. Having seen the new symbol what is your opinion of it?

Question Title

* 6. Do you feel that the new symbol depicts accessibility?

Question Title

* 7. Would you please elaborate on your response to question 6

Question Title

* 8. Are you responding on behalf of yourself or an organisation?

Question Title

* 9. Please identify the organisation you are representing

Question Title

* 10. Where is your organisation's main base of operations?

Question Title

* 11. Are you a member of either a Trade Association or Professional Body?

Question Title

* 12. If so please select which one/ones

Question Title

* 13. Do you have any further comments on this issue?