Hello, elementary school students from around the world! I teach barrier-free design and give lessons 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!
Today, we’re going to learn about barrier-free design in a fun way. Have you heard of “barrier-free” before? It refers to things and systems designed to be easily used by everyone, including elderly people and those with disabilities.
This time, we’re going to learn about a disability called “physical impairment.” Physical impairment means having difficulty moving your hands, feet, or body freely. For example, some people find it hard to grip or open things because they can’t easily apply force with their hands.
Now, let’s take a quiz about a mysterious bag made for such people!
Barrier-Free Quiz
There’s a bag called Unipak® GP. This bag makes it easy for people who have difficulty using their hands to [ ]. What word should go in the blank?
A. Carry
B. Open and close
…Do you know the answer?
Answer and Explanation
The correct answer is B. Open and close!
Unipak® GP bags have a special zipper. This zipper is designed so that everyone, including those who have difficulty using their hands, can easily open and close the bag.
What kind of special features does it have?
- Easy to open: The heights of the two sides of the bag’s opening are different, making it easier to grip with your fingers.
- Easy to close: The zipper is thicker and has grooves that make it easy for fingers to slide along.
- Reassurance: When you close the bag, it makes a “click” sound so you know it’s properly closed.
Thanks to these features, the bag is easy for everyone to use, from small children to the elderly, and even people wearing gloves. This is called “universal design.”
The Importance of Barrier-Free Design
When you see thoughtfully designed bags like this, don’t you think barrier-free design is wonderful? When there are things that everyone can use easily, we can all live happily and comfortably.
There are many things we elementary school students can do to help create a barrier-free society. For example:
- Offer help if you see someone having trouble
- Take good care of the barrier-free facilities in your school and town
- Think about how to make things that everyone can use easily
Barrier-Free Around the World
Barrier-free design is valued all around the world. The United Nations has a promise called the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” which says it’s important for everyone to be able to participate in society equally.
In countries like the United States and in Europe, barrier-free design is also an important issue. For example, they’re working on making public places easy for everyone to use and ensuring that information is understandable to all.
What About Your Country?
So, what about your country?
- Have you seen any features for wheelchair users or visually impaired people in schools, parks, or shops?
- Are there facilities on buses and trains that are easy for elderly people or those with disabilities to use?
- Have you seen any products that are easy for everyone to use (like the bag we introduced today)?
Try talking with your family or teachers about barrier-free design in your country.
Barrier-Free Explorer Team
Now, let’s look for barrier-free designs in your town! For example:
- Product packaging in supermarkets or convenience stores
- Playground equipment in parks
- Elevators or ramps at stations
What kind of barrier-free designs can you find? When you find something, tell your family, teachers, or friends about it!
Let’s work together to create a society where everyone can live comfortably!
Finally, I have an important request for all of you.
This article is based on experiences and ideas from Japan. Barrier-free efforts and concepts might be different 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 on you. Also, always prioritize safety and make sure to act with trusted adults. Please keep this in mind.
Also, this article aims to generate interest in barrier-free design rather than being strictly accurate, so the standards are described broadly. 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/
Please note that I’m not very good at English, so please send inquiries in simple and short English sentences.
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