Hello, children all over 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 design in Japan with you. I hope this information about Japanese barrier-free design will inspire you to think about accessibility in your own country too!
Barrier-Free (Accessible) Quiz
At the entrances of buildings, there are drainage grates. In barrier-free design, there’s a standard that says the pitch (spacing) of the grate openings should be 15 mm (about 0.6 inches) or less, and the gap should be 10 mm (about 0.4 inches) or less.
Why do you think we have such specific numbers as a standard?
Think about it for a moment…
Have you figured out the reason? Let’s look at the answer!
Answer
It’s to prevent the tips of canes or wheelchair casters (small wheels) from getting stuck in the gaps.
Explanation
The drainage grates at building entrances are an important element in barrier-free (accessible) design. We need to design the grate openings (slits or gaps) to be small so that people who use canes or wheelchairs can pass safely.
The standard of making the pitch (spacing) of the grate openings 15 mm (0.6 inches) or less and the gap 10 mm (0.4 inches) or less is determined by considering the size of cane tips and wheelchair casters (small wheels). By following this standard, we can prevent canes or wheelchairs from getting caught or stuck.
Also, by making the surface non-slip even when wet, we can further improve safety. By following these detailed numerical standards, we can make buildings accessible for everyone.
Thoughts
It’s surprising that such careful consideration is needed for something as small as a drainage grate. In barrier-free design, even a small difference in measurements can have a big impact on the safety and comfort of users.
These measurements of 15 mm and 10 mm (0.6 and 0.4 inches) have been determined from the experiences and research of many people. They are decided by considering various factors such as the structure of canes and wheelchairs, and how people move.
The Importance of Barrier-Free (Accessible) Design
As we can see, barrier-free design exists in many parts of our daily lives. It’s essential for creating an environment where all people can participate equally in society.
Even in something as small as a drainage grate, there are many people’s thoughts and efforts packed into it. It’s the accumulation of such careful considerations that leads to a society where everyone can live with peace of mind.
What You Can Do to Help Create a Barrier-Free (Accessible) Society
Let’s think about barrier-free design in our daily lives. For example:
- Pay attention to the people around you and offer help if someone seems to be struggling
- Use wheelchair spaces and priority seats appropriately in public places
- Take good care of barrier-free facilities
These small considerations can contribute to the realization of a barrier-free society.
Barrier-Free Explorer Team
Now, there might be places in your town that have considerations like what we learned today. Let’s observe the drainage grates at building entrances:
- Are the grate openings small?
- Does the surface look non-slip even when wet?
- Does it look safe for people using wheelchairs or canes to pass over?
By observing in this way, you might discover barrier-free designs that you hadn’t noticed before. Your “awareness” can lead to creating a kinder society.
Important Note
Finally, I have an important request for you.
This article is written based on Japanese experiences and ideas. Barrier-free efforts and ideas may 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 a world where everyone can live comfortably while respecting our differences. This article is not meant to force Japanese ideas or my thoughts on you. Also, please always prioritize safety and act with trusted adults. Please keep these points in mind.
Also, this article simplifies explanations 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 your country.
For inquiries → https://lahainars.com/contact/
Please note that I am not proficient in English, so please inquire with simple and short English sentences.
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