Everyday Barrier-Free (Accessible): The Secret of Milk Cartons

Barrier-Free (Accessible) Quiz

Here’s a question for you!

Q. There’s a small indentation on the top of milk cartons in Japan. Who is this designed for?

Think about it. Are there any special designs in your daily life made for specific people?

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A. For people with visual impairments

Explanation

The correct answer is “for people with visual impairments”!

Image source: Japan Dairy Association website (Link)

This indentation is called a “notch” (kirikaki in Japanese). It plays a very important role for people with visual impairments:

1. They can identify it as milk by touch
2. They can locate the opening (it’s on the opposite side of the notch)
3. They can distinguish it from other beverages

This notch is only found on cartons containing 100% raw milk. However, not all milk cartons have this feature.

The Importance of Barrier-Free (Accessible) Design

This small design feature makes life more convenient for people with visual impairments. Barrier-free (accessible) design isn’t just about large facilities; it can be found in everyday items like this.

To create a society where everyone can live comfortably, it’s important to be thoughtful not only about visible things but also about things we might not notice at first glance.

Barrier-Free (Accessible) Design Around the World

The importance of barrier-free (accessible) design is recognized worldwide. For example, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires countries to promote accessibility so that everyone can participate equally in society.

In the United States, there’s a law called the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires public places and products to be accessible to everyone. Many European countries have similar laws.

These laws and initiatives cover not just buildings and transportation, but also access to everyday items and information. The small notch on Japanese milk cartons is an example of this global trend towards accessibility.

What About Your Country?

1. Are there any features on milk cartons or other beverage containers in your country designed for people with visual impairments?
2. What kinds of barrier-free (accessible) designs have you seen in schools or public places?
3. Do you know of any products designed to be easier for people with disabilities or elderly people to use?

Try discussing these questions with your family, teachers, or friends.

What You Can Do

1. Look for barrier-free (accessible) designs around you
2. Offer help if you see someone having difficulty
3. Try to think about how people different from you might experience things

These small considerations help create a society that’s comfortable for everyone.

Barrier-Free (Accessible) Explorer Team

Let’s become barrier-free (accessible) explorers in our own neighborhoods!

What kinds of barrier-free (accessible) designs can you find in your home or nearby stores? You might discover new things if you look for features like braille signs, audio guides, or ramps.

When you find something, think about who it’s designed for and how it helps them. By doing this, we can help make our society kinder and more comfortable for everyone.

An Important Note

This article is based on experiences and ideas from Japan. Barrier-free (accessible) initiatives and concepts 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 impose Japanese ideas, but to inspire thought and discussion.

Also, please always prioritize safety and act with trusted adults.

This article simplifies some explanations to spark interest in barrier-free (accessible) design. 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 use simple and short English as I’m not very proficient in English.