Discover the Secret of Barrier-Free Bags!

Accessible in Japan
Discover the Secret of Barrier-Free Bags!

Hello, students from all around the world! I teach barrier-free classes to elementary and middle school students in Japan. I’m writing this article to share information about barrier-free designs in Japan with you. I hope this information about barrier-free designs in Japan will inspire you to think about barrier-free designs in your own country!

Quiz Time!

Here’s a quiz for you. There’s a shoulder bag that can be easily opened by people with weak grip strength or limited finger movement. This bag is designed to match the user’s [____]. What word goes in the blank?

Think about it, and when you have an answer, move on to the next part!

The Answer Is…

The correct answer is “dominant hand”!

Barrier-free bag image

Image from Iwasawa Seisakusho Co., Ltd. website (Link: https://u-go.shop/)

Barrier-Free Bags Are Amazing!

This bag is designed to be easy to use for both right-handed and left-handed people. Even people with weak grip strength or limited finger movement can open it easily with just one finger. Isn’t that amazing?

In Japan, we value creating products that everyone can use easily. This bag is one such example. But barrier-free design isn’t just a Japanese initiative. Countries all over the world are working hard to create environments and products that everyone can use easily.

For example, at the United Nations, where countries from all over the world gather, they created a rule called the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”. This convention decided that people with and without disabilities should be able to participate equally in society. Many countries have agreed to this convention and are working towards creating barrier-free societies.

In countries like the United States and in Europe, barrier-free initiatives are also progressing. For example, they’re building roads and buildings that are easy for wheelchair users to use, and providing audio guidance for people who are visually impaired.

What About Your Country?

Now, what about your country?

  1. Have you seen any barrier-free designs in schools or public places?
  2. Are there any facilities that seem easy to use for people in wheelchairs or people who are visually impaired?
  3. If you were to create a new barrier-free product, what would you like to make?

Try discussing these questions with your family or teachers. You might make some interesting discoveries!

What You Can Do

There are many things you can do to help create a barrier-free society:

  1. Be considerate of others: If you see someone having trouble, try offering help.
  2. Learn about barrier-free designs: Pay attention to barrier-free facilities and products around you.
  3. Come up with ideas: Think about what kind of improvements could make things easier for everyone.

Barrier-Free Explorer Team

Now, let’s all become “Barrier-Free Explorers”! Try to find barrier-free facilities in your town. For example:

  • Ramps at the entrances of stores
  • Tactile paving on sidewalks
  • Multi-purpose toilets that everyone can use
  • Traffic signals with audio guidance

Observe carefully how these are designed. You might make some new discoveries!

Also, let’s explore the bags you have. Pay attention to these points:

  1. Can the zippers or buttons be easily opened with one hand?
  2. Does the opening of the bag open wide enough?
  3. Can the length of the handles or shoulder straps be adjusted?
  4. Can it be used equally well with the right hand and the left hand?

Through this check, think about how the things you use daily are designed from a barrier-free perspective. Maybe you can come up with ideas to make bags even easier to use!

Important Note

This article is based on experiences and ideas from Japan. Barrier-free initiatives and concepts 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 where everyone can live comfortably while respecting our differences. This article is not meant to force Japanese ideas or my personal views 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 some standards are generalized. 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: I’m not very good at English, so please use simple and short English when contacting me.

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