International Symbol of Access - Time to Get Positive?

I am indebted for this week's blog to Max Reid, musician and wheelchair user, who is frankly rather fed up with the way people on wheels tend to be portrayed, and is doing something about it. We're not talking about individual examples of disablism here, rather, Max has gone back to basics and taken issue with the International Symbol of Access – this being the formal title of that little blue and white pictogram used internationally to symbolise people with disabilities, which was designed in 1968 by  Susanne Koefed for Rehabilitation International.

I cannot improve on what Max himself has to say about this: "The pictogram comes in a number of versions, some looking more disabled than others.  In most of them the torso is leaning backwards, as if the person is reliant on an escort to push the chair.  In most, too, there appears to be an arm being held out, perhaps for: "Any spare change, Mister?".  In any case, the chap would have some difficulty in accepting any cash, because he seems to have had his hand amputated.  In some versions, his feet are missing, too.

There seems to be some difference of opinion as to whether he is better off with his head detached from from his body, or whether he has developed the early symptoms of scoliosis.  

As a fairly active wheelchair user, I feel that none of these symbols describes me. In the forty years since the original design, enormous advances have been made in the treatment and rehabilitation of people with disabilities, and I think that a more dynamic pictogram is needed to reflect this."

Here on the right, is his version to meet that need. This chap looks as though he's about to go somewhere, to do something; and if he needs some help, he'll ask for it. 

I don't use a wheelchair myself, and to be honest, I had not previously given great thought to the subliminal messages conveyed by the widely used access symbol. Now that I do, I have to agree that the person depicted is rather passive; someone who is perhaps waiting patiently for the rest of society to make way. Certainly not the dynamic individual that most people would prefer as a role model or archetype.

What do you think? Is it time to tweak an icon that is now rather past its sell-by date? How do you view Max's proposed alternative? It is being offered freely for anyone to use as it is, or to alter if they prefer. If you have different ideas, do feel free to share them here. Alternatively, perhaps you think that we should leave well alone; that a sign which has served us well for decades should be allowed to continue without interference? Whatever your opinion, I'd love to hear it!