To Elementary School Students Around the World: Let’s Discover the Secret Hidden in Stair Handrails!

Accessible in Japan
To Elementary School Students Around the World: Let’s Discover the Secret Hidden in Stair Handrails!

Hello, elementary school students around the world! I teach barrier-free (accessible) design classes to elementary and middle school students in Japan. I’m writing this article to share information about barrier-free design in Japan with all of you overseas. Let’s use this information about barrier-free design in Japan as a starting point to think about barrier-free design in your own country!

Barrier-Free Quiz

Are you ready, everyone? Here’s a quiz about barrier-free design in Japan!

Question: What information should ideally be displayed in braille at the ends of stair handrails?

  1. The total number of steps
  2. The current floor and the destination floor
  3. The length of the handrail

Think about it for a moment. I’ll give you the answer later!

Quiz Answer and Explanation

The correct answer is… b) The current floor and the destination floor!

Are you surprised? In Japan, it’s common to have braille at the ends of stair handrails indicating the current floor number and the floor number you’ll reach after climbing those stairs.

There’s an important reason for this. It’s to help people who are blind or have low vision know which floor they’re on and which floor they’ll reach by using these stairs. By being able to get this information through touch, they can move around safely.

Barrier-Free Design Around the World

Actually, the idea of putting braille on stair handrails is spreading around the world. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states that it’s important to create an environment where everyone can move around safely.

In countries like the United States and in Europe, there are rules that say you have to consider barrier-free design when constructing buildings. But the way it’s done can be a little different in each country.

How About Your Country?

So, what about your country?

  • Are there braille markings on handrails in schools or train stations?
  • If there are no braille markings, how do you think information could be conveyed to people who are blind?
  • Are there any unique barrier-free design features in your country?

Try discussing these questions with your family or teachers.

Let’s Create a Barrier-Free Society Together!

Creating a barrier-free society isn’t just a job for adults. There are many things you can do too!

  1. Be considerate of others around you: If you see someone having trouble, try offering help.
  2. Use barrier-free facilities properly: For example, don’t place objects on tactile paving, and be mindful of how to use these facilities correctly.
  3. Learn about barrier-free design and share with others: Try talking to your family and friends about what you learned today.

Barrier-Free Explorer Team

Why don’t you use what you’ve learned today to explore barrier-free design in your own town?

Check if there are braille markings on stair handrails. If you find some, it might be interesting to observe what kind of information is written there with your family. Also, try looking for barrier-free design features in elevator buttons, information boards, and other places.

You’re sure to find many “features for someone” that you’ve never noticed before. And these discoveries can be the first step towards creating a society that’s kind to everyone.

Important Note

Finally, I have an important request for all of you.

This article is based on experiences and ideas from Japan. Barrier-free design approaches and ideas might be different in different countries and cultures. 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 on anyone. Also, always prioritize safety and make sure to act with trusted adults. Please keep this in mind.

Also, this article aims to spark interest in barrier-free design rather than provide precise information, so the standards mentioned are somewhat generalized. For accurate information, please check the websites of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan) or relevant agencies in your country.

For inquiries → https://lahainars.com/contact/

Note: I’m not very good at English, so please send inquiries in simple and short English.

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