【This article is all about accessibility in Japan.】
Hello everyone! Today, we’re going to learn about barrier-free(accessible) design through a fun quiz. We’ll focus on an important feature that supports safe movement: handrails.
- Barrier-Free(Accessible) Quiz
- Why is This Distance Important?
- Global Handrail Standards
- The Importance of Handrails
- Conclusion: Small Considerations Make a Big Difference
- Barrier-Free(Accessible) Classes for Elementary and Junior High School Students & Consulting for Barrier-Free(Accessible) Product Development
Barrier-Free(Accessible) Quiz
Let’s start with a quiz!
Q. When installing handrails, it’s recommended to keep them [◯◯ to ◯◯] cm away from the wall. What numbers should fill in the blanks?
The answer is “4 to 5 cm”!
How did you do? Were you able to guess?
Why is This Distance Important?
There’s a crucial reason for this 4-5 cm spacing. It’s “to support safe movement by providing a distance that’s easy to grip and apply force to.”
In other words, this spacing allows for:
- A firm grip with the hand
- Stability when body weight is applied
- Easy sliding of the hand while moving
These three important points are met with this specific spacing.
Global Handrail Standards
Barrier-free(accessible) initiatives are progressing worldwide, not just in Japan. What about the United States, for example?
In the U.S., there’s a regulation called the “Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)” that specifies detailed rules for handrail installation. Interestingly, it stipulates that the space between the wall and the handrail should be “at least 3.8 cm (1.5 inches)”.
This is very close to Japan’s 4-5 cm standard! It might indicate that the size of human hands and gripping strength don’t vary much around the world.
The Importance of Handrails
Now, let’s think about why these details are so precisely defined.
It’s because handrails are truly essential for many people. For example:
- They support elderly people to walk safely
- They help people with mobility issues to move independently
- They assist visually impaired individuals in understanding their surroundings
In other words, handrails are a crucial element in creating a society where “everyone can live comfortably and safely”.
Conclusion: Small Considerations Make a Big Difference
Through today’s quiz, we’ve learned that barrier-free(accessible) design involves many detailed considerations. A small measurement of 4-5 cm can make life safer and more comfortable for many people.
Next time you see handrails at school or in town, try checking the distance from the wall. Think about the thoughtfulness behind this design.
Barrier-free(accessible) design is the first step towards creating a society that’s comfortable for everyone. Let’s continue to consider others and participate in building a better society!
Barrier-Free(Accessible) Classes for Elementary and Junior High School Students & Consulting for Barrier-Free(Accessible) Product Development
Barrier-free(accessible) design is essential for everyone to lead safe and comfortable lives and is an important educational topic. Lahaina’s LLC and NPO Japan Disability Idea Association offer the following services. Please feel free to contact us.
◆ Barrier-Free(Accessible) Classes for Elementary and Junior High School Students → Click here for details
- Let’s create barrier-free(accessible) goods!
- Let’s think about barrier-free(accessible) ideas together!
(Classes adopted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education’s Olympic and Paralympic Education Support Program)
Also, as developing products and services that are easy for everyone to use directly leads to corporate profits, we offer the following services for businesses:
◆ Barrier-Free(Accessible) and Universal Design Consulting/Seminars for Businesses
Note: Please check the websites of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan) or relevant agencies in other countries for accurate information.
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