Hello everyone 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) practices in Japan with all of you overseas. I hope this information about barrier-free (accessible) practices in Japan will inspire you to think about accessibility in your own country too!
Barrier-Free (Accessible) Quiz
Here’s a quiz for you!
There are special shoelaces that make it easy for people with disabilities, pregnant women, and elderly people to put on shoes. These shoelaces can be fastened instantly using the power of [ ]. What word should fill in the blank?
…
…
…
The answer is… magnets!
Explanation
These special shoelaces use the power of magnets. They have strong magnets attached, so you can easily fasten the shoelaces.
This allows people who have difficulty using their hands or bending over to easily put on and take off their shoes.
These magnetic shoelaces have the following features:
- Easy to put on shoes
- Can be fastened instantly
- No worry about them coming undone
- Can take off shoes without using hands
- Long-lasting (can be transferred to other shoes)
- Completely waterproof

Image from Zubits Japan Co., Ltd. website (https://zubitsjapan.com/)
The Wonder of Barrier-Free (Accessible) Tools
These magnetic shoelaces are really a wonderful idea, aren’t they? A small innovation can make life more comfortable for many people.
Everyone being able to go out wearing their favorite shoes – this tool was designed to make such a normal thing possible for everyone.
The Importance of a Barrier-Free (Accessible) Society
A barrier-free (accessible) society is one where all people can live equally, freely, and safely.
Like the magnetic shoelaces, small innovations can make life more convenient for many people. As these innovations increase, we move towards a society where everyone can live comfortably.
What You Can Do
There are many things you can do to help create a barrier-free (accessible) society:
- Be considerate of others: If you see someone having trouble, try offering help.
- Use barrier-free (accessible) facilities properly: Use elevators and tactile paving correctly.
- Learn about barrier-free (accessible) design: You might make new discoveries by learning more.
- Think of ideas: Your ideas might help someone!
Barrier-Free (Accessible) Explorer Team
Today we learned about magnetic shoelaces, but there are many other barrier-free (accessible) ideas out there.
What kind of barrier-free (accessible) innovations can you find in your town? Try observing your school, train station, or shops. You might find things like ramps, elevators, or signs with braille.
It could be interesting to discuss the barrier-free (accessible) innovations you find with your family or friends. You might come up with ideas like “If we had this kind of innovation, it might be even more convenient.”
Your “awareness” can lead to a future barrier-free (accessible) society. Let’s start our barrier-free (accessible) exploration together!
Lastly, I have an important request for all of you.
This article is written based on Japanese experiences and ideas. Barrier-free (accessible) efforts and ideas might be different in different countries and cultures. Please talk with your family or teachers about how things are in your country. Let’s think about a world where everyone can live comfortably while respecting our differences. I’m not trying to force Japanese ideas or my own ideas on you. Also, always make sure to act with trusted adults and prioritize safety. Please keep these points in mind.
Also, this article simplifies explanations to focus on generating interest in barrier-free (accessible) 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 countries.
For inquiries → https://lahainars.com/contact/
As I’m not good at English, please send inquiries in simple and short English sentences.
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