Final answer:
The symbol depicting a human figure in a wheelchair on public building signage is a universal indicator of handicap accessibility, representing compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which requires facilities to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
In public buildings, signage that depicts a human figure in a wheelchair is an international symbol that indicates entry into areas that are handicap accessible. This symbol is known as the handicapped accessible sign and signifies that the facility complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates that public spaces be made accessible to people with disabilities. This includes features like wheelchair ramps, Braille instructions, and more user-friendly door levers.
Passed in 1990, the ADA was a civil rights law that sought to ensure people with disabilities had equal opportunities and access to public amenities, employment, education, and transportation. It required public buildings and services to include accommodations such as sidewalk ramps and Braille signs to facilitate access for individuals with various impairments.
Accommodations required by the ADA include alterations to physical spaces and policies to prevent discrimination, promoting a society where every individual can participate without being hindered by physical or social barriers.