Navigating and understanding signage

Subways, buses, and streets each have their own system of information, so people can figure out which way to go. Streets have names or numbers. Buses and subways have different routes to take you to various places. To carry out a travel plan, you have to know what different signs mean.

An instructor holds up a replica "EXPRESS" subway sign at a table covered with other directional signs while a young man in glasses looks on.

Date: c. 1960s

Image Description: A black-and-white photograph from an AHRC NYC newsletter showing a woman wearing a dark long-sleeved shirt, apron, and white headband standing behind a table and holding up a dark rectangular sign reading “EXPRESS” in bold white letters. Across the table, a young man wearing glasses, a white collared shirt, and a light vest looks at the sign, while other practice signs reading “LOCAL,” “TO STREET,” “UPTOWN,” “DOWNTOWN,” and “MEN / WOMEN” lie flat on the tabletop in front of a rack of white coats.

Creator: AHRC NYC

Source: AHRC NYC Newsletter

A young man with Down syndrome carrying a folder under his arm steps onto the front entrance of a city bus.

Date: c. 1960s

Image Description: A black-and-white photograph from an AHRC NYC newsletter showing a young man with Down syndrome dressed in a light jacket and dark trousers stepping onto the front boarding step of a vintage New York City bus. He holds a large envelope and paperwork tucked under his right arm and looks back toward the camera with a slight smile, while the side of the bus displays “15¢ FARE” on the window and the front license plate reads “0-3579 NY FRAN-BUS 60.”

Creator: AHRC NYC

Source: AHRC NYC Newsletter

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