With the 2022 Paralympic Games taking place in Beijing, the conversation around building a more inclusive community has taken to the streets.
Or in this case, the parking lots.
The Symbol of Access, a wheelchair symbol that was introduced in 1968, has limited the representation of the more than 6 million Canadians living with disabilities to an individual in a wheelchair.
International sporting goods retailer Decathlon has introduced Ability Signs, a set of icons that utilize sporting activities as a way to promote the abilities rather than the disabilities.
“As soon as we shared Ability Signs with our networks, they took off,” says Jaylone Lee, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Decathlon Canada.
“The idea resonated with people. We received requests from organizations for installations, and we heard from customers who had suggestions for additional icons. That was our cue to continue sharing and spreading the Ability Signs.”
The icons are available under a Creative Commons license, which will allow anyone to use them, free of rights.
Decathlon Canada has introduced the icons to their stores across Canada, in addition to encouraging organizations across the country to download and install the signs.
