[marcosdumay]

That's interesting.

For me the rushing icon does look better. But I wonder why they didn't make the icon on a more normal position, with the body and arms closer to the resting position. We don't make signage with people running except when we actually want to say that they are going fast; the same should apply here.

[thih9]

> I wonder why they didn't make the icon on a more normal position, with the body and arms closer to the resting position.

The article linked by grandparent says: "the new design pictures a handicapped individual with their head tilted forward, indicating their mobility and that they are in control of where they are going. The new design also pictures the individual with their arms back, once again indicating that they are dynamic and in control of their own mobility."

[marcosdumay]

Yes, but the icon should look like the person is "walking" instead of "running". Even though it is a beautiful icon, the effect is misleading.

If you just reduce the inclination of the body and arms, you get that effect.

[ComputerGuru]

I think it is intentional and I think the reason isn't very hard to figure out. Handicapped has been associated with "incapable" for a long time, and this is intentionally turning that on its head to force people to (maybe!) subconsciously reconsider when they start seeing this symbol spray painted in parking lots, plastered on walls, and otherwise surrounding them in the spaces they regularly visit.

This wasn't meant to be a neutral change, or even a change to bring it from negative connotations to neutral - it's the equivalent of affirmative action for symbols.

[CoffeeOnWrite]

This 2014 article/podcast episode does a deep dive you might find interesting: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/icon-for-access/