Widgit In Case of Emergency (ICE) Communication Card, credit card sized and folds out, one side has space for next of kin and medical information illustrated with symbols and the reverse has a symbol communication sheet, UK, 2021

A medical emergency is a time when communication is vitally important. However, there can be many factors which affect someone’s ability to communicate. This in case of emergency card uses Widgit’s large and well-established library of symbols to help first responders and patients communicate with each other.

The card takes a simple thing many of us already carry and makes it even more useful. There are sections, illustrated with symbols, for all the standard information like next of kin and any important medical information. However, it also folds out and contains a communication sheet with a pain chart and symbols for basic responses to questions. This allows people to be proactive about their communication needs and prepared in case of an emergency.

Over the past 25 years, Widgit have developed a library of over 11,000 symbols which can be used to represent over 40,000 words. These symbols are used in lots of different settings from schools to tourist attractions to hospitals. As a company they believe that everybody should have free and equal access to information.