Comments on: Otago University: “See me for me, not my wheels” http://walkingisoverrated.com/2008/06/04/otago-university-see-me-for-me-not-my-wheels/ disability news, views, and reviews from NZ and around the world Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:13:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.2 By: Axel http://walkingisoverrated.com/2008/06/04/otago-university-see-me-for-me-not-my-wheels/#comment-716 Axel Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:42:57 +0000 http://walkingisoverrated.com/2008/06/04/otago-university-see-me-for-me-not-my-wheels/#comment-716 I think the "invisibility" aspect comes across in the visual starkness of the illustration, not necessarily whether the wheelchair is highlighted or not. For a wheelchair user it could be possible that, in a design sense, the wheelchair is almost an extension of the person and can be very much part of their representation of themselves. Actually, if someone wants to work on crutches that are classically attractively and functionally/ durably designedfor heavy users (ie, I use them a lot and am fairly rough with them) I would be so happy! I think the "invisibility" aspect comes across in the visual starkness of the illustration, not necessarily whether the wheelchair is highlighted or not. For a wheelchair user it could be possible that, in a design sense, the wheelchair is almost an extension of the person and can be very much part of their representation of themselves. Actually, if someone wants to work on crutches that are classically attractively and functionally/ durably designedfor heavy users (ie, I use them a lot and am fairly rough with them) I would be so happy!

]]> By: Moxy13 http://walkingisoverrated.com/2008/06/04/otago-university-see-me-for-me-not-my-wheels/#comment-705 Moxy13 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:38:08 +0000 http://walkingisoverrated.com/2008/06/04/otago-university-see-me-for-me-not-my-wheels/#comment-705 Why do we still brand people that are different by assuming they have a disability ? Is it not societies disability to presume judgment upon people that may be in a wheelchair or use a cane or sign interpreter ? These people have ability don't take it away by creating a graphic poster trying to say "we understand your disability" ...How about "we can offer you universal access" which would denote a non-categorized way of trying to approach persons with varied abilities. Why do we still brand people that are different by assuming they have a disability ? Is it not societies disability to presume judgment upon people that may be in a wheelchair or use a cane or sign interpreter ? These people have ability don't take it away by creating a graphic poster trying to say "we understand your disability" …How about "we can offer you universal access" which would denote a non-categorized way of trying to approach persons with varied abilities.

]]> By: Alex http://walkingisoverrated.com/2008/06/04/otago-university-see-me-for-me-not-my-wheels/#comment-700 Alex Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:57:17 +0000 http://walkingisoverrated.com/2008/06/04/otago-university-see-me-for-me-not-my-wheels/#comment-700 Yes the universal chair icon might kind of leave out a lot of people, or maybe create some public misunderstanding. I haven't looked deeply into better ideas. We could try multiple emblems, or a new singular one, or even none at all eg. just use typography. What usually turns out bad is sythesising a lot of different meanings into one stylised figure. Hey also, here's a breakdown of the disabilities in our university, also illustrated by Amanda: <a href="http://designinterdependence.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/pieweb11.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://designinterdependence.files.wordpress.com/...</a> Yes the universal chair icon might kind of leave out a lot of people, or maybe create some public misunderstanding. I haven't looked deeply into better ideas. We could try multiple emblems, or a new singular one, or even none at all eg. just use typography. What usually turns out bad is sythesising a lot of different meanings into one stylised figure.

Hey also, here's a breakdown of the disabilities in our university, also illustrated by Amanda:
http://designinterdependence.files.wordpress.com/...

]]> By: Alex http://walkingisoverrated.com/2008/06/04/otago-university-see-me-for-me-not-my-wheels/#comment-699 Alex Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:23:27 +0000 http://walkingisoverrated.com/2008/06/04/otago-university-see-me-for-me-not-my-wheels/#comment-699 Hey we like your blog and your critical approach! I'm their superviser for this project, I'll suggest cropping him so he's less isolated, and using a lighter stroke on the chair so it's more 'invisible'. Hey we like your blog and your critical approach! I'm their superviser for this project, I'll suggest cropping him so he's less isolated, and using a lighter stroke on the chair so it's more 'invisible'.

]]> By: Allyson http://walkingisoverrated.com/2008/06/04/otago-university-see-me-for-me-not-my-wheels/#comment-697 Allyson Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:58:51 +0000 http://walkingisoverrated.com/2008/06/04/otago-university-see-me-for-me-not-my-wheels/#comment-697 Unfortunately the wheelchair is the international symbol for disability. I've always found this frustrating because I have cerebral palsy and can walk. Lets find 3 or 4 symbols that can be combined into 1 disability symbol, to reflect the diversity in the disability community. Unfortunately the wheelchair is the international symbol for disability. I've always found this frustrating because I have cerebral palsy and can walk. Lets find 3 or 4 symbols that can be combined into 1 disability symbol, to reflect the diversity in the disability community.

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