To: The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Disabled People

Create a 21st century icon that represents visible and non visible disabilities

Acknowledge not all disabilities are visible by replacing the existing Wheelchair Symbol with a modern/neutral image.

Why is this important?

The current Wheelchair Symbol, while internationally recognised, is found offensive by some and confusing to many. It is wrongly thought to be the representative image for disability and causes people to falsely benchmark other disabilities against it. This causes numerous instances of judgemental comments/abuse toward people using accessible facilities, for legitimate reasons, who show no outward signs of being disabled. The widespread use of the symbol re-inforces a stereotype which, is then compounded with media stories of benefits cheats/scroungers faking disability.