September 15, 2015
Gregg Beratan/Twitter
This sign prompted PHL Airport to apologize for its misleading wording.
Philadelphia International Airport has apologized to a man who pointed out a rather misleading sign for handicapped patrons.
Twitter user Gregg Beratan posted a photo that he saw within the airport Tuesday morning which features an avatar of a person in a wheelchair.
The sign reads "For accessible exit, use nearest exit stair."
As a Philadelphian I am embarrassed that this sign was found at @PHLAirport. Who makes or orders that sign? #A11Y pic.twitter.com/KZZqe6ce5E
— Gregg Beratan (@GreggBeratan) September 15, 2015
PHL officials quickly responded, claiming they had been notified about the sign Monday and are looking to have it replaced. An apology was issued to Beratan.
Beratan claimed he wasn't trying to "give [PHL officials] a hard time about it," but said the signs' wording is rather confusing.
PHL said on Twitter that approval to remove the sign has been authorized and agreed the wording was misleading. Beratan thanked them for their quick response.
Mary Flannery, a spokesperson for the airport, said the signs were meant for emergencies --such as a fire -- when no one can use an elevator.
In those instances, those in a wheelchair are supposed to use ADA-approved evacuation sleds to get down the stairs, which is what the sign meant to suggest.
However, Flannery said they were now changing the signs to make them more explicit.
"We certainly want to make it as clear as possible for anyone in a wheelchair or accompanying someone with a wheelchair."
