Hello, students from all around the world! I teach barrier-free design classes to elementary and middle school students in Japan. I’m writing this article to share information about barrier-free practices in Japan with you. I hope this information about Japan’s barrier-free efforts will inspire you to think about accessibility in your own country!
Quiz Time!
Here’s a quiz for you:
Q: In Japan, at what height from the floor are electrical outlets recommended to be installed?
A) 20cm (about 7.9 inches)
B) 40cm (about 15.7 inches)
C) 60cm (about 23.6 inches)
D) 80cm (about 31.5 inches)
Think about it for a moment. We use electrical outlets every day, but there’s actually a good reason for their height!
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The correct answer is B) 40cm (about 15.7 inches)!
Why 40cm (15.7 inches)?
There’s an important reason for this height. It’s to ensure that people using wheelchairs can easily reach and use the outlets.
Imagine:
- 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 to use it.
That’s why a height of about 40cm (15.7 inches) is considered accessible for many people.
What About Other Countries?
Interestingly, the height of electrical outlets can vary between countries. For example:
- In the United States, it’s recommended to install outlets between 38cm and 46cm (15 to 18 inches) from the floor.
- In the United Kingdom, outlets can be installed anywhere between 45cm and 120cm (17.7 to 47.2 inches) from the floor, depending on their intended use.
Japan’s standard of 40cm (15.7 inches) shows a lot of consideration for accessibility. By specifying this height, Japan aims to create an environment that’s equally usable for everyone.
Who Benefits from Barrier-Free Design?
Barrier-free design isn’t just for people with disabilities. It’s about creating an environment that’s easy to use for everyone, including elderly people, small children, and people with temporary injuries.
Even something as simple as the height of an electrical outlet is decided with so many people in mind. There are many barrier-free considerations around us that we might not notice!
What About Your Country?
Now, I’d like you to think about a few things:
- Are there any rules about the height of electrical outlets in your country?
- Try measuring the height of outlets in your home or school. How high are they?
- Do you think that height is easy to use for people in wheelchairs or small children?
Become a Barrier-Free Explorer!
From today, you’re a member of the Barrier-Free Explorer team! Let’s observe the height of electrical outlets around us.
- Compare the height of outlets in different places like your home, school, and shops.
- If you find outlets at different heights, think about why they might be placed that way.
- Imagine whether these heights would be easy to use for people in wheelchairs or small children.
It might be interesting to share your observations with your classmates!
An Important Request
This article is based on experiences and ideas from Japan. Barrier-free approaches and ideas 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 that’s comfortable for everyone while respecting our differences. This article is not meant to force Japanese ideas on anyone. Also, always prioritize safety and make sure to act with trusted adults. Please keep this in mind.
Also, this article simplifies explanations to generate interest in barrier-free design rather than provide complete 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: I’m not very good at English, so please use simple and short English sentences when contacting me.
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