Barrier Free

At the moment, we are learning about barrier-free societies in 2nensei class. The little crappy dictionary on my desk doesn't actually define the term "barrier-free" (nor does dictionary.com), but it does define "barrier" as:

n. 1. an obstruction, as a fence 2. anything that hinders or blocks

The textbook focuses on Ototake Hirotada, a Japanese guy who has no arms or legs. He explains that things like slopes and elevators are what makes the world a barrier-free society for him, as they allow him to move around freely in his wheelchair.

During class, M-sensei asked the students if they knew of other examples of things that help create a barrier-free society. No-one said anything, so she asked them to imagine they are in the shower. They are washing themselves and have their eyes closed so the water doesn't get in them. They want to shampoo their hair so they reach out for the shampoo bottle. They think they have found the shampoo bottle, but their hand brushes against another bottle. The conditioner bottle. Hmmm. Which is which? The kids said they would open their eyes to find out. So she asked them "But what if you couldn't open your eyes? What if you were blind? How would you know which is the shampoo and which is the conditioner?" I didn't even know the answer.

All shampoo bottles have what the Japanese call bokoboko (small indents or ridges) on them, while conditioner bottles are smooth. This is an international requirement apparently, and is just one other thing that is helping create a barrier-free society. You learn something new every day, huh?

So next time you've got water in your eyes and want the shampoo, just feel for the bokoboko.