A New Shoe Horn for Everyone: What is Barrier-Free?
Hello, students all around the world! I teach barrier-free (accessible) 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 you. I hope this information about barrier-free (accessible) design in Japan will inspire you to think about accessibility in your own country!
Quiz Time!
There’s a special barrier-free (accessible) shoe horn. How do you use this shoe horn?
(Think about it for a moment)
Answer
The correct answer is… “It’s attached to the heel of the shoe in advance”!
Image source: Good Design Award website
Explanation
This new shoe horn is called “Vela”. Unlike regular shoe horns, you don’t need to hold it in your hand. It’s attached to the back (heel) of the shoe. This is a very useful invention because:
- People who have difficulty using their hands or fingers can easily use it.
- People who find it hard to bend their back or knees can put on shoes more easily.
- It’s also designed to be helpful for pregnant women.
Vela is small and light, so you can carry it anywhere. It’s designed to work with many different types of shoes.
What is Barrier-Free?
Have you heard the term “barrier-free” (accessible) before? It refers to designs that make life easier for elderly people and people with disabilities, allowing everyone to live in the same way. Inventions like Vela are very important for creating a barrier-free (accessible) society.
Countries around the world value the concept of barrier-free (accessible) design. For example, the United States has a law called the “Americans with Disabilities Act”. Many European countries also have laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities. These laws aim to create a society where everyone can live equally.
What We Can Do
There are many things we can do to help create a barrier-free (accessible) society:
- Be aware of people around you: If you see someone having trouble, offer to help.
- Use barrier-free (accessible) facilities with care: Take good care of wheelchair ramps and tactile paving.
- Think of new ideas: Consider what kind of improvements could make life easier for more people.
Barrier-Free Exploration Team
Let’s explore what kind of barrier-free (accessible) facilities are in your town! For example:
- Ramps that wheelchair users can use
- Tactile paving for people with visual impairments
- TVs with subtitles for people with hearing impairments
When you’re walking around town, if you find these kinds of features, think about who they’re designed to help.
Important Note
This article is based on experiences and ideas from Japan. Approaches to barrier-free (accessible) design might be different in other countries and cultures. Please discuss with your family or 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 on anyone. Always prioritize safety and act with trusted adults.
This article simplifies explanations to generate interest in barrier-free (accessible) design rather than for 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.
For inquiries: https://lahainars.com/contact/
Note: As I’m not very proficient in English, please use simple and short English sentences when contacting me.
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