New Symbol Needed For Invisible Disabilities?
The international symbol for disabilities is nearly always the wheelchair, but only a small percentage of people with a disability use a wheelchair on a daily basis.
Laura Brydges hopes to change this and has a Facebook page set up to spread the word.
She explains. . .
What do you think of this symbol as an international symbol for hidden disabilities? It is meant to be used as an ID card carried by people with hidden disabilities. They can show it to identify themselves and their needs when they are having trouble coping or when they need help. The back of the card would be individualized, allowing them to state their specific disability, and what assistance they need.
She says. . .
Help this symbol be adopted as the international symbol for hidden disability. Many people with hidden disabilities need help, and with this symbol, they can identify themselves and ask for help when they are having trouble coping. Join as a fan.
Find out more at her Facebook Page and show your support if you are interested by becoming a fan.
Popularity: 7% [?]
I like the idea, actually, but how would they be gotten?
If I only had $5 for ever time I've told businesses that the wheelchair symbol doesn't represent the approximately 85% of people with hidden disabilities, like myself. I envision a symbol that incorporates the standard wheelchair stickman somehow, but adds to it.
I love this idea and urge you to take an entire year to promote and spread the concept before deciding. Push this to all the major diversity and disability players out there. Make a contest for designers to compete in, and publicize it like mad. Offer free/reduced advertising on your site to corporations that contribute to the idea, and push your efforts through their PR process (getting you a lot of visibility) It will be a great way to garner attention for Invisible Illness week next year, and the years to come.
I would be happy to help spread the word if you're interested.
Hi,
I like the person idea but i think you should leave the inside blank like invisible. or maybe use an angel. can i get put on the list.
<img src="http://saints-archive.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/invisible-illness-awareness.jpg" />
Just something I whipped up =)
I like the idea, what would it take to get this accepted?
Great idea! So much of the time people don't believe me when I tell them I have a chronic illness because I appear perfectly healthy. I think it would be marvelous to have a special symbol for invisible illnesses.
Cards in ones pocketbook or wallet are useless for the purpose the symbol is needed for. It must be displayed in a bold way and visible to others. I'd suggested windows stickers for the car and ones front door at home. A small one that could be stuck right onto your driver's license. When you have an emergency this is all they will look for. If you have some medical information that must be shared it better be written on your forehead if you cannot tell them where to look.
In a seniors program that I am connected to they produced a red medical symbol (standard symbol) to stick on ones front door and a form with a short version of the medical history, medications, doctors and emergency contact. This is placed in a gallon size ziplock bag and attached to the refrigerator. On that bag is a copy of the sticker so this is a match. First responded see this on the door and know they should find this document bag on the frig.
Take this idea to help make this invisible illness symbol meaningful. There are so many people with heart conditions, breathing problems and our fatigue, fainting and pain, etc problems that would find a symbols like this helpful. The handicap license plate and use of Handicap parking by persons not in a wheelchair or using some mobility device (visible handicap) continues to draw the evil eye and sometimes confrontation from people who thing we have illegally obtained a handicap hanger or plate. Put the sticker on the windows of our cars. A campaign to make a symbol official and to get states to add this symbol to license plates and signs, etc would go a run ways to inform the public.
I do not like the white and black checkerboard look of the proposed symbol. The figure stands perfectly straight with like a broken soldier. It does not look a like. No life flow to it. There is a symbol for fibromyalgia that looks a living person with stars in the tenderpoints. Something like that would communication a lot more. I can find my pin and photo it for an artistically inclined soul to try to seize the idea and word with what is one of the somewhat know concepts of pain and invisible illness. _ Brenda W, Minneapolis, MN
I have to admit too, I love, love, love the idea. But I'm just not crazy about the symbol. Something about it doesn't hit a chord and speak to me that it stands for invisible illnesses.