Perceptions (plural noun): 1 : judgments resulting from awareness or understanding 2 : the ability to understand (as meanings and ideas) 3 : understanding or awareness gained through the use of the senses. (Merriam-Webster).
In the media, the concept of disability is widely misrepresented, often characterizing people with disabilities in a condescending, patronizing way. Rather than discussing how many of these people view their disability as part of their identity, the media focuses on disabilities in a negative light, concentrating on the ‘courage’ of those who have ‘overcome’ their differences. This is especially true for younger people with disabilities, who feel that their voices are dehumanized or ignored.
We are hoping that through this project, by amplifying the voices of people with disabilities, the media’s assumptions and patronizing attitudes towards disability will gradually change. The negative stereotypes of people with disabilities in the media will be replaced with a sense of identity, uniqueness and strength in the disability community. Together, by questioning the marginalization of disabled people in the media, people with and without disabilities have the capability of changing the media and the general public’s ‘perceptions’ on disability.
Our logo (noun): A black, standardized symbol of a person using a wheelchair silhouetted by a picture of the world. Encircling this, there are symbols representing various types of disabilities and tools for assisting those with disabilities (a description of the symbols is listed below). Behind this, the background color is a blend of purples, blues, and a tinge of lighter yellow. (Perceptions).
The standardized symbol of disability is often a person with a wheelchair. This, though, only represents a small portion of people with disabilities, so with our logo, we were hoping to represent a more diverse community by including the different symbols and also the globe (to show that we support people from across the world).
Here is a list of the symbols surrounding the globe and the standard disability symbol (starting at the top of our logo and moving clockwise):
Guide Dog- for individuals who are blind
Infinity Symbol- represents the strength and resilience of the disability community and is also an alternative symbol for the autism spectrum (some find the puzzle piece offensive)
Speech Generating Device (SGD)- electronic augmentative and alternative communication systems used to supplement/replace speech and/or writing for individuals with speech disorders, allowing them to verbally communicate.
Head- learning or intellectual disability
Person with a walking cane or a white cane
Question Mark- for people who have an undiagnosed or unspecified disability, or for people who have an invisible disability
Heart Rate Symbol- cardiovascular conditions
Access for Hearing Loss Symbol
Joint Symbol- arthritis
Braille Symbol- for people who are blind
Person using a crutch who has one leg- people with limb differences
Jigsaw Puzzle Piece- this symbol is controversial, though we chose to include it because some people with autism prefer this symbol.
Sign Language Interpretation- for people who are deaf
An eye with a fraction shaded and crossed out- people with low vision
Volume Control Telephone- for people with low hearing or for those who need amplified sound and/or adjustable volume controls
Person in a wheelchair- the symbol of accessibility
Telephone Typewriter (TTY)- a telephone device for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have a speech disorder.
The sources we used to create this:
What do you think the significance of our name and logo is? Comment below!
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