universal design

Nerima Ward aims to create an environment in which everyone can participate in society with peace of mind, regardless of age, gender, disability, or nationality.
We are promoting community development based on universal design.

What is universal design?

Universal design was proposed in 1985 by American architect and industrial designer Ronald Mace (1941-1998) as a concept to replace barrier-free design.

From the beginning , we aim to design environments, buildings, products, and services that are accessible to all people to the greatest extent possible.
Universal design can be practiced not only in the maintenance of things and buildings, but also in a little consideration and thoughtfulness .

The difference between universal design and barrier-free

There is a word that is often heard, "barrier-free".
Barrier-free is the idea of ​​removing barriers that make it difficult for "specific people" such as people with disabilities and Otoshiyori to use.
Universal design takes this idea one step further, and is based on the concept of not creating barriers for "everyone" from the beginning.

Why we need universal design

In our towns, people live in various positions and circumstances, including children, pregnant people, people with disabilities, foreigners, tall people, and short people. We need to aim for a society in which everyone can live comfortably, even if there are people with various differences.

Also, even if you and the people around you are not in trouble now, they may be in trouble when they get old, get injured or sick, or go to a foreign country where they don't speak the language.
That is why, from the beginning , we need universal design that is as easy to use for everyone as possible.

Illustrations of people who feel trouble in their lives

Universal design that can be put into practice today

When we notice someone who seems to be in trouble, we can do something right away.
With our one action, we can solve the problem.
Let's practice from today.

Let's call out!
If you notice someone in need in town or school,
Try saying, "What's wrong?" and "Is there anything I can do to help?"
If you can't help yourself, ask the people around you for help. I'm sure they will be able to help you out.

Have a “yuzuru heart”!
Some people need priority seats on elevators, trains and buses.
If you can use stairs, use the stairs instead of the elevator. Give priority seats to people in need.
With a little thoughtfulness, you can help many people.

Follow the rules!
If people who don't need it use the barrier-free toilet, people who really need it will be unable to go to the toilet.
The same is true for parking for people with disabilities. Please do not park for anyone other than the intended users.
If everyone follows the rules, the city will become a place where everyone can live comfortably.

Let's understand that there are people with various circumstances!
People with disabilities or injuries who can only hold one handrail on the escalator, people with a lot of luggage,
It is used by a variety of people, including those with children.
When walking on an escalator, you may bump into other users and cause a serious accident.
When riding an escalator, stop and hold onto the handrail.
Understand that there are people with various circumstances, and have a compassionate heart.

Look for universal design

Let's find out what kind of universal design exists near you.

Universal design in the home

PET bottles
Easy to hold even for people with weak hands and fingers Easy to pour even though it is heavy

● The material is soft・Even people with weak hands and fingers can easily crush it.

Home appliances that respond to voice
● Can be operated by voice without pressing a switch or remote control・Even people who cannot reach the wall switch, such as those who use wheelchairs or are bedridden, can operate by voice ・Voice control without touching the remote control or switch Being able to operate air conditioners and TVs with , is convenient not only for people who cannot take their hands off their hands while working, but also for people with visual impairments.

Universal design in the city

Universal design of vending machines
● Low product selection buttons・People who cannot reach high buttons, such as children and people in wheelchairs, can select products on the upper row.

● No need to bend down to take out products・People in wheelchairs and the elderly can easily take out products in a comfortable posture.

● Wide coin slot・The coin slot is shaped like a saucer, making it easy to use for people with hand disabilities and those who find it difficult to perform detailed work.

Universal design of traffic lights
● You can tell the color of the traffic light by the sound・There are traffic lights that play a guiding tone to let the visually impaired know that the traffic light is green. can

● When you press the button, the time of the green light becomes longer・There are traffic lights where the time of the green light becomes longer when you press the button.
It is installed at traffic lights in places where elderly people and children who walk slowly often use it, so you can cross with confidence.

● A red light is marked with an X. Some people have difficulty perceiving colors because they see red and blue or red and yellow as the same color.
By putting a cross on a red signal, you can judge the red signal not only by the color but also by the symbol

Vehicle universal design

universal design of buses
● You can find the next stop on the electronic bulletin board and voice announcements・The name of the next stop and the destination are displayed in large letters, so even people who cannot hear the broadcast or who are listening to music with earphones can check the text. Can be done ・It is safe for people who have difficulty seeing the electronic bulletin board to have voice announcements

● You can find the current position of the bus with the bus location system・You can search for the nearest bus stop from your current location on your mobile phone or computer, and you can search the current position and operation information of the bus on the map. Travel destinations, business trips, and people who are not used to riding buses can easily find bus routes and bus stops, so you can rest assured.

Station universal design
● Numbers and alphabets are attached to station information signs・Those who cannot read station names, such as foreign travelers, or who are unfamiliar with geography can identify train routes and station names by numbers and alphabets.

various marks

Introducing marks related to universal design.
Help mark <br>There are people who need help and consideration even if they don't know it from their appearance, such as those who use artificial legs or artificial joints, those who have internal disorders or intractable diseases, and those who are in the early stages of pregnancy. This is a mark to let people know that such people need consideration for those around them.

Ostomate mark <br>It indicates that you are an ostomate who has an artificial anus or artificial bladder, and that there are facilities for ostomates (toilet for ostomates).

International symbol mark for people with disabilities<br>This is a universal symbol mark that clearly indicates that a building or facility is accessible to people with disabilities. This mark is for all people with disabilities, not just those who use wheelchairs.

Let's test your strength with e-learning

Let's test your strength with e-learning to see how much you know about universal design in our towns and lives.
The e-learning is created in Word, PDF, and PowerPoint. Please use it according to the environment such as the PC you are using.

E-learning materials

PDF version

PowerPoint version (please download and use)

・You can take quizzes by enabling macros.
・If a security warning appears, select "Enable content for this session" and press the OK button.
・The PowerPoint version does not work properly on tablet devices. Please use PDF version and Word version.

word version

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (formerly Adobe Reader) is required to open PDF format files.
If you do not have it, you can download it for free from Adobe.
Get Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (Opens in a new window.) Download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

inquiry

Person in charge of welfare department management section person, town development promotion To the organization details
Phone: 03-5984-1296 Fax: 03-5984-1214
Send an email to this department

Back to blog