April 8, 2025 - For more than 50 years, the universal symbol for accessibility—the wheelchair icon—has been the global standard for representing people with disabilities. While iconic and functional, this symbol only reflects a small segment of the disability community: individuals with limited mobility. Left behind in this representation are millions of people with invisible disabilities such as autism, cognitive and psychosocial conditions, chronic illnesses, and sensory impairments.
In response to this longstanding gap in representation, RIADIS (the Latin American Network of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities) has pioneered the creation of the Inclusive Logo, a bold and innovative visual identity system designed to represent all people with disabilities—both visible and invisible.
The Inclusive Logo is not a replacement of the classic wheelchair symbol, but rather an evolution of it. Built on a modular and adaptable design system, the new logo can be customized to respectfully and clearly reflect a wide range of disabilities. From intellectual and sensory challenges to chronic conditions, the Inclusive Logo acknowledges the full spectrum of the disability experience in both design and message.
A more inclusive logo for a more inclusive world.
The campaign launched with a powerful audiovisual piece that challenged public perception. The video began with the familiar wheelchair icon, which animated to life, expressing its regret for having unintentionally excluded so many people. As the narrative progressed, the logo morphed before viewers’ eyes into various symbols, each representing a different kind of disability. This creative storytelling approach made the issue deeply personal and widely relatable.
55 years later, a truly inclusive logo is designed.
Real-world impact was central to the campaign. The Inclusive Logo has already been implemented across multiple environments—shopping malls, schools, public transport stations, and government buildings—each using a context-specific variant of the logo. Clear signage was accompanied by explanatory messaging, ensuring that the public not only recognized the symbol but also understood its meaning.
Alongside physical implementation, the campaign was amplified through social media, adaptive digital content, local partnerships, and press outreach, making it a grassroots movement with global ambitions.
A logo that gives visibility to those excluded from accessibility.
The results speak for themselves:
- 93% of people who encountered the new system said they understood the types of disabilities it represents.
- 95% of individuals with disabilities reported feeling more oriented, seen, and represented in public spaces featuring the Inclusive Logo.
For many, the new symbol is more than just a graphic—it’s a life-changing tool.
"It made my life easier," said Graciela, who is visually impaired.
"Now I can take my son to a mall," shared Norma, the mother of a child on the autism spectrum.
"It’s about time someone did something," remarked Marcos, another visually impaired user.
Currently, the Inclusive Logo is under review at the Geneva headquarters of the Disability Council International for potential global implementation. If adopted, this new standard could reshape accessibility guidelines worldwide—ushering in a more inclusive, respectful, and accurate approach to disability representation.
This initiative goes beyond graphic design. It is a social statement and a cultural reset. It challenges outdated frameworks and urges institutions, corporations, and governments to think beyond the visible and embrace the full diversity of the human experience.
By making the invisible visible, the Inclusive Logo has not only changed how people think about accessibility—it has changed how people with disabilities experience the world around them.
The Inclusive Logo is a call to action for a future where everyone feels seen, understood, and included.
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Country: Ecuador
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