Hello, elementary school students from all around the world! I teach barrier-free design to elementary and middle school students in Japan. I’m writing this article to share information about barrier-free design in Japan with 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 for people with visual impairments – that means people who have difficulty seeing or can’t see at all. We’ll learn through a quiz!
Do you know about the Rubik’s Cube?
First, do you know what a Rubik’s Cube is? It’s a puzzle with six faces, and you have to arrange each face so it’s all one color. But how can people who can’t see play with it? Well, a special Rubik’s Cube was created for them!
It’s quiz time!
Quiz: The faces of this barrier-free Rubik’s Cube have a special feature that allows people who can’t see to tell them apart. What do you think this feature is?
Think about it! Here’s a hint: it has to do with “touching”.
Answer: Each face has a different raised pattern
Quiz explanation: That’s right! This barrier-free Rubik’s Cube is called the “Rubik’s Cube Universal Design”. Each face has a different raised pattern. Just by touching it, you can tell which face is which.
The patterns include dots, circles, and squares – designs that are easy to recognize by touch. And these patterns aren’t stickers, they’re part of the cube itself, so you don’t have to worry about them peeling off.
Thanks to this design, people who can’t see can still enjoy solving the puzzle. It’s also designed to be easy to turn for people who don’t have much strength in their fingers.
Barrier-free design is amazing!
Through this Rubik’s Cube, we can understand the importance of barrier-free design. It’s wonderful to make things that everyone can enjoy.
The goal of barrier-free design is to create a world where people who can’t see and people who can see can all have fun together.
Barrier-free design around the world
All over the world, people are working on barrier-free design so that everyone can enjoy life. For example, the United Nations’ “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” states that all people have the right to participate equally in society.
In countries like the United States and in Europe, the concept of barrier-free design is spreading. You can see barrier-free innovations in toys, play equipment, and public spaces.
How about in your country?
What kind of barrier-free efforts are there in your country? Have you seen any in your school, parks, or stores? Try talking about it with your family or teachers.
What you can do
There are many things that elementary school students like you can do to help create a barrier-free society:
- Be considerate of those around you
- If you see someone having trouble, try talking to them
- Take good care of the barrier-free facilities in your school and town
- Learn more about barrier-free design and discuss it with your friends and family
Barrier-free explorer team
Now, there must be barrier-free places or things in your town too. Let’s go explore!
For example, look for:
- Tactile paving (guide paths for people who have trouble seeing)
- Ramps (sloped paths that are easy for people in wheelchairs to use)
- Traffic signals that make sounds
When you find these, observe what kind of innovations they have. You’re sure to make new discoveries!
Finally, I have an important request for all of you.
This article is based on experiences and ideas from Japan. Barrier-free efforts and ideas might be different depending on the country and culture. Please talk with your family and teachers about how things are in your country. Let’s think about creating a world where everyone can live comfortably while respecting our differences. I’m not trying 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 get you interested in barrier-free design rather than provide precise information, so some details are simplified. 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 use simple and short English when contacting me.
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