Hello, elementary school students 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 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!
What is Barrier-Free Design?
Have you heard of barrier-free design? It’s about creating environments and tools that are easy for everyone to use, including elderly people and people with disabilities. Today, we’re going to learn about barrier-free design using an example of something you all know – thumbtacks!
Barrier-Free Thumbtack Quiz
It’s quiz time!
Q. In Japan, there are thumbtacks designed with barrier-free principles in mind. Compared to regular thumbtacks, what special feature do they have?
A. They have a soft cover on the needle
Quiz Explanation
The correct answer is that they have a soft cover on the needle. These special thumbtacks have a funny name in Japanese: “Punyo Punyo Pin” (which means something like “Squishy Squishy Pin”).
This soft cover has several important roles:
- It protects your fingers from getting pricked
- If you drop it, the needle won’t point upwards, so it’s safe even if you step on it
- It’s easy to push in and easy to pull out
- It’s easy to use even for people who have difficulty using their hands
In this way, these thumbtacks are safe for everyone to use, from children to elderly people and people with disabilities.

Barrier-Free Design Around the World
Barrier-free design is important not just in Japan, but all around the world. At the United Nations, where countries from all over the world come together, they created something called the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” This aims to create a society where people with and without disabilities can live equally.
In countries like the United States and in Europe, creating tools and buildings that everyone can use easily is considered very important. For example, they make doors wider so people in wheelchairs can use them easily, or add voice guidance for people who can’t see well.
How About Your Country?
So, how about the country or town where you live? Have you seen any barrier-free designs? For example:
- Are there ramps at the entrances of schools or libraries?
- Are there features on buses or trains that make it easy for people in wheelchairs to board?
- Are the playground equipment in parks designed so that everyone can enjoy them?
Try talking with your family or teachers about the barrier-free designs around you.
What Everyone Can Do for a Barrier-Free Society
There are many things you can do to help create a barrier-free society:
- If you see someone having trouble, try offering help
- Understand that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses
- Talk about barrier-free design with your family and friends
- Try to find barrier-free designs around you
Barrier-Free Explorer Team
Now, there must be many barrier-free designs in your town too. Let’s try to find tools and facilities that are kind to everyone, like the “Punyo Punyo Pin” we learned about today!
For example:
- Are there ramps at the entrances of shops?
- Is the playground equipment designed so that everyone can enjoy it?
- Are there Braille books in the library?
- Let’s look for barrier-free stationery!
When you find barrier-free designs, tell your family and friends about them. By doing this, more people can learn about barrier-free design.
Finally, I have an important request for all of you.
This article is based on experiences and ideas from Japan. The approaches and ideas about barrier-free design might be different in different countries and cultures. Please talk with your family and teachers about how things are in your country. Let’s think about a world that’s easy for everyone to live in while respecting our differences. This article is not meant to force Japanese ideas on anyone. Also, always prioritize safety and act with trusted adults. Please keep this in mind.
Also, the main purpose of this article is to get you interested in barrier-free design rather than to provide precise information, so some explanations are simplified. For accurate information, please check the websites of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan) or relevant agencies in your own countries.
For inquiries → https://lahainars.com/contact/
Please note that I’m not very good at English, so please use simple and short English sentences when contacting me.
Note: This article has been slightly edited to focus on generating interest in barrier-free design rather than strict accuracy. For accurate information, please check the websites of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan) or relevant agencies in other countries.
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