The title for page 8 At Public Facilities (At a Library) Setacchi arrives at the library. A person is gesturing to say something to the person at the front desk. At some point, the person at the front desk starts to write something. gMay I know what you are here for?h Curious Setacchi called from behind, but there was no answer. Huh? Susumu notices, turns around, and shows a card to Setacchi... gI cannot hear or talk. Please use signs so I can understandh. He is a hearing disabled person. We talk with a writing board to write what we have in mind and erase it. There are writing boards to be used with erasable markers and writing boards on which we can write or erase magnetically. Column Difficulties for hearing disabled people There are four items. EThey cannot hear when called by attendants or when emergency information are announced by voice. EThey cannot hear when called from behind. At one time, a hearing disabled person didnft notice a person riding on bicycle was approaching from behind. When he passed him, he understood the rider was complaining to him by reading his lips. He felt so sad. ESome hearing disabled people have difficulty in reading. It would be of great help to them if there is a person who can use sign language at places like the front desk of the city hall. EThey cannot converse through the intercom and the emergency button inside the elevators in times of emergencies. There are those who have decided not to ride elevators by themselves. EUse of emergency buttons alone is of no help to them. The title for page 9 Good Ideas and Initiatives in Public Facilities There are four items. A slop sink for ostomates, a flip-up handrail, a call button, a flush button, a large mirrors, a foldable seat, a call button with a string... Sometimes, the same rest room is full of these ideas. Sign language interpreters and summary transcripts are provided during events so that even those with disabled hearing can participate. Signs are written using black text on yellow background for easy viewing by those with poor eyes. Foreign language translation is also provided. Turns are indicated by numeric displays in addition to being called out at the front desk. Susumu says before parting with Setacchi, gUniversal Design is a way of thinking that aims to enable things to be used by everyone. By hearing disabled people, visually disabled people, people on wheelchairs, senior people, and people accompanying children. If you are interested, then try to do research on universal design.h Moving a hand as if to chop the other hand and then raising the hand means gthank youh in Japanese sign language. gI learned a simple sign language. Thank you very much.h The title for pages 10 and 11 What is Universal Design? Setacchi has met various people since the morning. He thinks to himself that there must be more people who have their own difficulties. gIf I know these problems in advance, then I can surely pay attention, find ways to help, and give a helping hand. I didnft notice the presence of the people with difficulties before. And Setacchi thinks to himself, gIt would be wonderful if more people live safe and comfortable lives.h He wants to know more about universal design. gI wonder what universal design is. What do you think after going out to town with Setacchi?h Column How Universal Design is implemented in Setagaya City As Setacchi has noticed, there are various people in this city. We think it important to know mutually what difficulties these people meet. We have produced town and products so that anyone can go to town in the same way, behave normally, and participate in society as a matter of course. The way of giving due respect to each and every member of the city, with each one supporting each other, and a living environment that allows everyone to live their lives and use the town with ease... This way is how the City of Setagaya thinks of Universal Design. Column gMachidukurih in Setagaya City gMachidukurihmeans urban and community development. For the interests of senior people and people with disabilities and in pursuit of the gbarrier freeh philosophy the City removes barriers that arise in the city. The City promotes the building of a barrier free town from the very start by knowing what the many people in the city would need, and not only from a gbarrier freeh viewpoint of removing barriers when they arise. We also think it important to continue the initiatives. Setagaya City Universal Design Promotion Act The act defines universal design as gideas of creating a living environment so that as many people as possible can live easily regardless of age, gender, nationality, ability, and so on.h Seven Principles of Universal Design The seven principles of universal design were proposed by Ronaldo Mace and his group in North Carolina State University in the United States and clearly express its philosophy. 1. Equitable use Anyone can equally use the design 2. Flexibility in use The design can be used according to needs of users 3. Simple and intuitive use Use of the design is easy to understand 4. Tolerance for error No major problems result even when used wrongly 5. Perceptible Information Important information can be easily understood 6. Efficient use The design allows a user to maintain a neutral body position and can be used comfortably with low effort 7. Comfort of Use Appropriate size and space is provided for approach according to users The title for pages 12 and 13 When Noticing Something Like These in Town gI Can Do Thish Help That We Can Offer When noticing someone facing difficulty or is at a loss in town Please donft think unilaterally that they need a helping hand but, in consideration of the otherfs feelings, say in politely gCan I do anything of help?h When asked for help Please ask the other person what and how help may be given. When meeting a visually disabled person There are three items. Help in walking safely Pedestrian crossings and station platforms are dangerous places. Let us explain surrounding conditions. When a traffic signal turns green at a pedestrian crossing, just say gThe traffic signal has turned green.h When a person is heading towards the railway, say gYou are heading towards the railway.h At stores When noticing someone having difficulties in front of a showcase, let us say gCan I be of any help?h When giving a helping hand Ask the person what and how you can be of help. Do not pull the hand or push from behind, let the other person touch your shoulder or elbow slightly, and walk half a step ahead. When meeting someone on a wheelchair There are three items At toilet or elevators for handicapped people Someone may need to use the facility. Let the person use it before you. At parking areas Parking areas for people on wheelchairs are provided with spaces for getting on/off a car on a wheelchair. Let us not use it. When giving a helping hand Help might be needed in places like in streets with steep slopes and raised steps. Let us ask the person how we can be of help. When meeting someone with disabled hearing There are two items. The person may be hard of hearing. If someone does not notice that he is talked to from behind or a bicycles bell is ringing, the person may be hard of hearing. Let us pay attention to the person. When giving a helping hand A hearing disabled person cannot hear important announcements. Let us explain the information in writing or with gestures. Let us speak slowly to those who are hard of hearing. The title for page 14 and 15 Universal Design Anywhere Answers to questions on pages 2 and 3 Answer 1 Hearing disabled people use vibrating wristwatches and mobile phones. Answer 2 By providing space for inserting knees under the washstand, people on wheelchairs can come close to the washstand. Answer 3 A milk carton has a U-shaped cutout at the top. Answer 4 Text-reading software is available for visually disabled people. Email function of mobile phones is useful to hearing disabled people. Answer 5 Shoes with magic tapes are available for those who find it hard to tie shoelaces. Universal Design Anywhere Sides of shampoo containers are made ragged so one can tell by simply touching the sides. Coin slots with a tray to make inserting coins easy on vending machines, retrieving trays placed at a convenient height for easy retrieval of items, and buttons that children and persons on wheelchairs can reach easily are just some of the ways designed for vending machines. Pictograms are picture symbols made for easy understanding simply by looking at the picture or the color Cards with numbers on the four corners for easy use by left-handed people Scissors with the grip designed for easy use by those whose hands are disabled Power outlet plug easy to pull out with one hand Stapler that can be used by pressing with the palm Large and easy-to-use switch