Student impressions

• We realized that the route we normally take to school is very inconvenient and dangerous for wheelchair users. We also noticed barrier-free features that we wouldn't normally notice in our daily lives, such as the height of the trash cans on campus being easily accessible for wheelchair users. Experiencing wheelchair use firsthand allowed us to discover things we wouldn't normally notice in our daily lives and see a different world. Even though barrier-free access is progressing, there are still many inconvenient places. I think we need to always be mindful and offer help.
• When I actually used a wheelchair and looked around, I realized how high some things are and how much vibration is transmitted even from small bumps. I was reminded once again that there are many things you can only see by experiencing them yourself, rather than relying on other people's opinions.
• When using a wheelchair, the first thing that struck me was how much faster cars and bicycles seemed to be going because my eye level was lower, which made me feel scared.
• Above all, I felt a great sense of fear at having my "eye level" lowered. It was completely different from the eye level I normally have in my daily life, and even just having someone walking towards me from the opposite direction made me feel very uncomfortable. To be honest, I had never really thought about this kind of "eye level" in my daily life. This wheelchair experience has made me realize that I should try to be more mindful of the "eye level" of people who use wheelchairs in my daily life.
• What I realized while using a wheelchair this time is that the paths we normally walk on have many steps and gentle slopes, which become obstacles for wheelchair users. Even on the university grounds, although ramps and other facilities for wheelchairs are installed, I noticed that there are many gentle slopes and steps. What I realized from pushing a wheelchair is that communication with the person in the wheelchair is important. I felt that it is necessary to "be considerate" of the other person and act not only thinking about oneself, but also considering the other person's needs.
• While yellow blocks are installed on sidewalks for the visually impaired, wheelchair users may find their wheels caught on the blocks, increasing the risk of falls. Similarly, some roads have level crossings between sidewalks and roadways for wheelchair users, but this increases the risk of accidents for the visually impaired. Therefore, I believe that considering whose perspective is important when promoting barrier-free design in the future.