As part of our advocacy, #OneAccesibility, we will share information about differently able and profile one location with accessible trails. Look out every week for this enlightening post.
Caption: An accessibility sign with dark green background showing images of a woman, man and wheelchair and a bold word RESTROOM below it.
July was Disability Pride Month. To support disability pride, we highlighted signs and symbols that have become a critical part of our daily lives. Our series on accessibility symbols would end with the restroom.
Restroom, Bathroom or Washroom is perhaps one of the most necessary infrastructure that should be made available everywhere for everyone; I mean a clean and accessible restroom. Perhaps it is the reason we also know it as a convenience.
One of the best places I get to love is the restroom, especially at the airports. They are usually clean and smell nice.
Restroom signs are very important because it lets the user know what types of provisions are available. For example there could be a general washroom, family, male or female restrooms in accordance with the laws. Some restrooms may provide facilities for babies, PwDs and LGBTQ+. Public places like airports, schools, hospitals and offices use symbols to help users identify general and specific restrooms to avoid confusion. Unisex and all- sex restrooms have clear signs, measurement and color. Some restrooms may have showers or provisions for nursing mothers. Signs help people also take note of this information.
Caption: A sign showing a male and wheelchair on blue background with the word MEN and its Braille translation.
A typical Men Restroom sign according to Americans with Disabilities Act ADA standards should be white-on-blue or color chosen should be in contrast with the door. The wording should read “MEN” in written and Braille format. This is applicable for women, general and other gender. Some laws uphold that the international symbol - white on blue background must be upheld. Note that each Country, State or City may have its specifications or standards.
Braille, pictograms, tactile texts, geometric and graphic signs are employed to make accessible symbols readable by all. A restroom sign without pictogram and Braille may cause a visually impaired person to get into the wrong washroom. Therefore it is important to use universal signs and texts to enable clarity for people with cognitive disabilities, the visually impaired or foreigners who don’t understand the language.
Caption: Accessibility sign with Braille text written under the word Family Restroom.
There are several accessibility signs and symbols with corresponding standards as provided by various laws like the ADA. We urge Local Guides to read more about other signs. It is important to always consult the local law or expert in your city to understand its provisions before installing signs or symbols within a facility. Countries with disability laws.
Have you seen any unique restroom sign anywhere or any other symbol you’d like to share?
If you have a question, suggestion, or contribution, feel free to comment below. You can read last week’s roundup article here and check the list of our other articles under “Accessibility Uncovered”.
in United States follows ADA standard. They may not say at the front doors but we know (not assume) for sure it will be wheelchairs accessible especially in the cities. Below some examples, photo taken by me
