Embracing a Movement of Active Accessibility in Chicago

The image of accessibility is undergoing a remodeling. Starting in New York and moving to other areas of the country, Chicago is one of the hotbeds of change.

Self Image is Everything

How we think about ourselves is everything. Image is everything. And the idea that being in a wheelchair is inherently an inactive state is downright misleading. Upheaving these misconceptions starts with changing something simple, a logo.

Disabled Does not Mean Inactive

There is a growing group of people in New York who want to change the perception that handicapped means passive. Even the words that describe people who are in wheelchairs have a negative connotation – handicapped and disabled. The handicapped image goes hand in hand with the labeling, “handicapped” and “disabled.” It implies that being in a wheelchair somehow traps you in a life of captivity and prevents you from achieving what you’d like to.

Two Chicago Logos that Show Activity

Part of how we think of ourselves, our image, comes out in the logos that we use to represent our companies, programs and activities. Two programs affiliated with Handi-Ramp are the Home Access Program, which provides solutions for an accessible home. Another affiliated program is the Handi-Ramp Foundation, which provides ramps and lifts to families in need.

Home Access Logo – Active Arms

The Home access logo shows the outline of a roof with a person in a wheelchair below it. Why did we select this logo? The logo to us symbolizes the ability of all those who move around in a wheelchair to find an accessible home that works for them. Our program brings together realtors and consultant constructors who can find and create a home that works and makes it easy to move around in a wheelchair. In the logo the head harms and legs show movement around inside of an accessible home.

Handi-Ramp Foundation Logo – Sporty Active Arms

The Handi-Ramp Foundation logo features active arms that imply racing. Even the wheels show movement – oval not round. The human body of the logo leans forward ready to take action. This logo shows some similarities with the New York logo.

An Active Accessibility Logo Contributes to an Active Life

Image is everything. These two logos, which represent programs created in Chicago, help to inspire and breakdown the stereotypes that we have of people who use wheelchairs. Breaking down barriers is not easy, but with one step at a time we can achieve a new image of ourselves and how people view us.

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