Access Symbols
General Overview
The Universal Icon System consists of symbols designed to identify accessibility features and services and improve effective communication for individuals with disabilities. These symbols are widely recognized and serve as navigational aids, making it easier for people to locate and recognize accessible entrances, restrooms, parking spaces, and other accessibility features. By integrating these symbols into public spaces and communications, organizations can promote inclusivity and empower individuals with disabilities to navigate environments confidently and independently. The International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) is the most widely recognized example, representing the availability of accessibility features. Prioritizing the use of the Universal Icon System is essential for fostering equitable access and ensuring everyone can fully engage with their surroundings.
Implementation
In order to incorporate access symbols most effectively into your organization’s practices, keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Consider placement and design: Symbols should align with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to clearly communicate the availability of accessible features while ensuring compliance. High-contrast colors, simple designs, and proper placement at accessible heights enhance visibility and usability for all individuals.
- Utilize multiple formats: These symbols should be integrated with multi-format communications — including written and verbal explanations, service counters, maps and other activated spaces — to ensure that they are understood by and available to all visitors. The use of access symbols is important both on-site and in digital formats. Incorporating access symbols on your website (preferably in the accessibility section), as well as on social media, will give visitors assurance that their needs are being met prior to arrival. Access symbols should be utilized across all public-facing materials, signage, and digital platforms. Be sure to include access symbols anytime you are communicating access information.
- Train staff: Consider training all your staff members to understand access symbols, emphasizing how they can utilize these symbols to guide the public to accessibility-related services. Including access symbols on staff training materials and internal systems fosters a common understanding of how to utilize this communication system for staff and guests alike. Training staff on the importance and use of these symbols further supports effective communication and consistency across materials and interactions.
- Ensure ongoing review and feedback: Regular evaluations of signage and materials are crucial to maintaining relevance and compliance. Because symbols are added and changed over time, it’s important to stay up-to-date on how to make them most relevant and user-friendly. Your organization can also gather direct feedback from individuals with disabilities (as well as local disability communities) to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Design with accessibility in mind: Graphic designers and content creators have flexibility in how signage and wayfinding is created. Maintaining consistency and accessibility should be considered when organizations go through a rebranding process. Many accessible services that are provided in cultural spaces extend beyond ADA requirements to foster understanding of the intersections of access needs. Access symbols like gender inclusive restrooms, family restrooms, service animal relief areas, parent nursing areas, and QR codes are some examples.
Associated Legal Requirements or Obligations
Please note that, while this content was developed by people with expertise in the ADA and legal requirements related to access, it was created for informational purposes and should not be considered legal advice.
- 2010 Standards for Accessible Design
Signage Requirements: There are several instances where specific icons or pictograms are required to be on signs.
The International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) and other pictograms may be required on signs for entrances, restrooms and more (section 703.6 and section 703.7.2)
Signage for accessible parking spaces are required to have the ISA (section 502.6)
Signage indicating availability of assistive listening devices must include the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss (section 216.10 and section 703.7.2.4)
The US Access Board provides guidance for the use of the ISA
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