Let’s Create a World Everyone Can Use Easily!
Hello, elementary school students around the world! I teach barrier-free (accessible) design and classes for elementary and middle school students in Japan. I’m writing this article to share information about barrier-free (accessible) design in Japan with all of you overseas. Let’s use this information about barrier-free (accessible) design in Japan as a starting point to think about barrier-free (accessible) design in your country too!
Try This Quiz!
Q: The width of the main entrance to a building needs to be at least [__] cm (or [__] inches). What numbers should fill in the blanks?
Think about it. Have you ever paid attention to the width of the entrances when you go to school, stations, or stores?
Answer: 80 cm (31.5 inches)
Barrier-Free (Accessible) Design in Japan
In Japan, there’s a law called the Barrier-Free Law that requires the main entrances of buildings used by many people to be at least 80 cm (31.5 inches) wide. This is to ensure that people using wheelchairs, people using canes, and people carrying large luggage can enter and exit smoothly.
But why 80 cm (31.5 inches)? This is because the typical width of a wheelchair is about 70 cm (27.6 inches). By making the entrance width at least 80 cm (31.5 inches), people in wheelchairs can pass through with some extra space.
Barrier-Free (Accessible) Design Around the World
Barrier-free (accessible) design is recognized as an important issue worldwide. The United Nations’ “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” calls for removing physical barriers so that everyone can participate equally in society.
Many countries in America and Europe are also implementing various barrier-free (accessible) measures, such as widening building entrances and installing ramps. While specific standards may differ by country, the idea of creating an environment that everyone can use easily is common.
What About Your Country?
Now, how about in your country? Try observing the width of entrances at your school, nearby stores, and public buildings. Are they easy for people in wheelchairs or people using canes to enter?
What Everyone Can Do
There are many things that even elementary school students can do to help create a barrier-free (accessible) society:
- Observe your surroundings: Look for barrier-free (accessible) facilities at school and in town.
- Be considerate: If you see someone having trouble, try offering help.
- Discuss with family and teachers: Talk about what you think about barrier-free (accessible) design.
- Use your imagination: Try to come up with ideas for buildings and tools that are easier to use.
Barrier-Free (Accessible) Exploration Team
Let’s explore your town based on what you learned today about “entrance widths”. Observe the entrances of various buildings like schools, libraries, and supermarkets. If you find entrances that are wide or seem easy for people in wheelchairs to use, take a close look at how they’re designed.
Important Note
Finally, I have an important request for all of you.
This article is based on experiences and ideas from Japan. Approaches and ideas about barrier-free (accessible) design might differ depending on the country and culture. Please discuss with your family and teachers about how things are in your country. Let’s think about a world where everyone can live comfortably while respecting our differences. This article is not meant to force Japanese ideas or my personal views. Also, please always prioritize safety and act with trusted adults. Please keep this in mind.
Also, this article aims to generate interest in barrier-free (accessible) design rather than provide precise information, so the standards mentioned are approximate. For accurate information, please check the websites of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan) or relevant agencies in other countries.
For inquiries: https://lahainars.com/contact/
Note: I’m not very good at English, so please use simple and short English sentences when contacting me.
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