Accessible Design in Asia
Spotted this post from Preetam, who came across what he wrote as “Universal Designs”. I’ve not seen Braille on Beer Cans — I thought it was a neat idea, when Preetam pointed out that it’s both to inform those Braille-readers who want to drink beer, as well as those who want to avoid accidentally consuming it. I titled the post “Accessible Design” rather than “Universal Design”, as I felt the term “Universal” was too broad. I’m not sure if any design can truly be “universally”, i.e. accessible by all. But I’m happy to be proven wrong!
I’ve re-produced Preetam’s full post here (as allowed under his CC license):
Last weekend in Hong Kong, I spotted this sign in a taxi. The taxi number is provided both in braille as well as English as raised characters. Nice to see public transport people paying attention to accessibility.We were talking about this when my brother mentioned Japanese beer cans having braille markings.
Japanese alcoholic drinks also carry an “alcohol” braille character on top to prevent visually disabled people from accidentally consuming it.
Universal design is not just for visually disabled people. Here you see a shampoo and a conditioner bottle from Japan. The bottle on the left contains shampoo and it has markings on one of its sides to distinguish it from the conditioner.
Preetam’s post can be read here.
I’m interested to know if there are more of such design examples. Your email/ comment/ trackback would be much appreciated.
Technorati Tags: design, accessible design, universal design, accessibility
November 27, 2006 at 2:03 pm
Mmm, on my Macintoish system preferences, there is a “Universal Access’
tab, which helps those with visual, hearing and other physical
disabilities to use the computer more easily.
A matter of semantics, I think.
As for the examples of other accessible designs in Singapore, well, we
all know of the lift buttons with braille numbers, the wheelchair
friendly buses, lifts, ramps and toilets. (Though some of these are
more for show than really useful; one friend told me about a ramp which
ends.. in a flight of stairs.) The ‘bus-stopping’ signs and ‘next stop
XXX” signs in MRT trains (at least on the NEL) for the hearing
impaired. What else?
I’ll keep a lookout for more.
November 29, 2006 at 7:19 am
talking about MRT, notice that within the station and platforms there are these ‘raised circles’ on the floor, which is to guide the canes for people with visual disabilities.