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 (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 accessibility in your own country!
Barrier-Free (Accessible) Quiz
It’s quiz time!
Q: The center height of electrical outlets should be about [__] cm (or [__] inches) from the floor.
Think about it for a moment. We use electrical outlets every day without much thought, but there’s actually a good reason for their height. Try to guess before looking at the answer!
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Answer: 40 cm (approximately 15.7 inches)
Why This Height?
There’s an important reason for this height. It’s to allow people using wheelchairs to access the outlets comfortably.
Think about it. If the outlet is too high, someone sitting in a wheelchair might not be able to reach it. If it’s too low, it might be difficult to bend down. That’s why a height of about 40 cm (15.7 inches) is considered accessible for many people.
Global Barrier-Free (Accessible) Standards
Around the world, efforts to improve barrier-free (accessible) design and accessibility are progressing. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities calls for the removal of physical barriers to ensure everyone can participate equally in society.
In countries like the United States and in Europe, there are also guidelines for accessibility in buildings and public facilities. The height of electrical outlets is also considered to ensure they are usable by wheelchair users.
What About Your Country?
Now, what about your country?
- Try measuring the height of electrical outlets in your home or school. How does it compare to Japan’s standard (40 cm or 15.7 inches)?
- Discuss with your family or teachers whether it’s easy to use for people in wheelchairs or those who are shorter.
- If you think there’s room for improvement, what ideas can you come up with?
What We Can Do for a Barrier-Free (Accessible) Society
Even as elementary school students, there’s a lot you can do to help create a barrier-free (accessible) society:
- Notice and understand the diversity of people around you.
- Offer help if you see someone having difficulties.
- Learn about barrier-free (accessible) design and discuss it with your family and friends.
- Share ideas on how to make your school or community more accessible.
Barrier-Free (Accessible) Explorer Team
Let’s explore your town based on what we learned about electrical outlet heights today!
- When you find electrical outlets in public buildings (like libraries or stations), observe their height.
- Think about whether they seem easy to use for people in wheelchairs or small children.
- Write down what you notice and present it to your class.
Finally, I have an important request for all of you.
This article is based on experiences and perspectives from Japan. Barrier-free (accessible) design approaches and ideas 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 creating a world that’s comfortable for everyone to live in while respecting our differences. This is not meant to force Japanese ideas or my personal views on you. 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: As I’m not proficient in English, please use simple and short English sentences when contacting me.
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