VI. General Policy Direction for Strategies in Each Field
Promoting a Barrier-free Society

Promoting a Barrier-free Society

1. Developing Walking Spaces

• The construction of wide sidewalks (at least three meters in width) on which wheelchair users can pass each other and which can be used by persons with disabilities and others in comfort and safety, to a target level of about 50% (about 130,000km) of the approximately 260,000km of main roads which are expected to be used by pedestrians by the beginning of the 21st century.

• The active promotion of community roads and similar roads, where through traffic in residential and commercial zones can be restricted, in order to spatially secure walking spaces where persons with disabilities and others can move and rest with peace of mind.

• The active promotion of the elimination of steps, and the insertion of embossed tiles for persons with visual disabilities into walking surfaces, and the construction of bicycle parking areas to eliminate the problem of abandoned bicycles. Also, the securing of spaces where persons can walk with peace of mind, in particular by moving electrical wires underground through measures such as the construction of joint wiring trenches.

• The promotion of measures such as the construction of station plazas, wide and continuously level walkways by raising the level of roadways, the installation of lifting devices at multi-story road and railway crossings, and the construction of facilities such as moving walkways, mainly at the majority of stations in major cities as well as major stations in regional areas.

2. Promoting Strategies for Mobility and Transportation

(1) Promoting Barrier-Free Public Transportation Terminals

• Guidance for operators of all forms of transportation and others based on documents such as the "Guidelines on the Construction of Facilities for Elderly and Persons with Disabilities at Public Transportation Terminals," and the use of subsidies and fiscal investment and lending to promote barrier-free conversion of public transportation terminals. Guidance in particular for operators of railway stations, for instance, installation of elevators at all new stations and stations undergoing major improvements as a general rule, and phased introduction at other existing stations with steps five meters and higher serving at least 5,000 passengers daily, based on documents such as "Guidelines for the Development of Railroad Station Elevators."

(2) Introducing Car-Structures Designed for Persons with Disabilities and Building Bus Stops and Other Facilities

• Guidance for operators regarding the introduction of car-structures designed for persons with disabilities and others in the public transport system. At the same time, the use of subsidies and other forms of publicly-funded support in areas such as "Guidelines for the Design of Public Transportation Car-Structure Models for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities" and the introduction of public buses equipped with lifting devices.

• The expansion of facilities, including the construction of benches at bus stops and street tram stops, and the promotion of strategies such as the constructing ramps to meet low-slung buses.

(3) Developing the Road Transport Environment

• The promotion of the securing of parking spaces for persons with disabilities in city areas, and the provision of parking spaces dedicated solely to persons with disabilities particularly at car parks constructed as peripheral roadside facilities.

• The promotion of the provision of toilet facilities and parking lots for persons with disabilities at all rest areas along expressways as well as all of the "michi-no-eki" * being developed along leading trunk roads.

* "Michi-no-eki" is a special rest area on general roads where travelers can stop and visit stores displaying local commercial products, consult tourist information centers, and enjoy other such auxiliary facilities sponsored by the local city, town or village.)

• The development of transport safety facilities designed for use by persons with disabilities under the "Sixth Five-Year Programme for the Improvement of Traffic Safety Facilities" scheduled to begin in FY1996.

(4) Improving Convenience for Persons Desirous of Acquiring Driving Licenses

• The provision of the necessary guidance to designated driving schools, such as the provision of training vehicles especially designed for persons with physical disabilities and the implementation of training that, for instance, uses outside vehicles such as those especially converted for the purpose.

• The provision of technical skill examination vehicles especially designed for persons with physical disabilities and other vehicles, and the use of outside vehicles for the purpose of technical skill examination, at license examination centers. Also, measures such as the provision of sign language interpreters and toilet facilities for persons with physical disabilities, and the use of video materials with captions.

• The provision of license aptitude counseling centers, the improvement of materials, the provision of aptitude counselors with a wealth of knowledge about license aptitude and similar measures at prefectural police authorities throughout the nation.

3. Development of Barrier-free Buildings

(1) Guidance and Incentives for Structures such as Private-Sector Buildings Fulfilling a Highly Public Role

• The provision of the necessary guidance, advice and instruction to the owners of buildings that fulfill a highly public role and are used by many and unspecified persons ("designated buildings") under the "The Act on Buildings Accessible and Usable for the Elderly and Physically Disabled." Also, active encouragement of the development of barrier-free designated buildings, through the use of measures such as assistance, taxation exemptions and public finance for quality buildings that have been recognized by prefectural governors or similar authorities as compliant with criteria for encouragement.

• The promotion of the development of private-sector facilities such as hotels and restaurants that are used by persons with disabilities and others, to cater to the needs of persons with disabilities and others, via measures such as the use of public finance systems.

• The promotion of the provision of ramps and information boards in Braille at life-long education facilities that function as local bases for learning activities.

(2) National Government Buildings

• The provision of ramps, automatic entrance doors, elevators and toilet facilities for persons with physical disabilities, the use of tactile paving slabs for persons with visual disabilities and similar measures at all new national government facilities serving a liaison role with the public and similar buildings.

• The progressive renovation of existing national government buildings to the same specifications as for new buildings, starting from those with a high degree of urgency.

4. Supporting Barrier-free Town Planning by Local Government

• The Promotion of the development of barrier-free town planning by local government, and the renovation and/or improvement of frequently-used government buildings to promote the development of the accessible living environment.

5. Developing the Barrier-free Living Environment at Rural and Fishing Villages

• The development of wide walking paths, the provision of land for welfare facilities and other measures designed to develop a living environment in rural and fishing villages that caters to the needs of persons with disabilities and others.

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The Government Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities
— A SEVEN-YEAR NORMALIZATION STRATEGY —
Tentative Edition in English

Translated by
the Secretariat of the Headquarter
for Promoting the Welfare of Disabled Persons,
Prime Minister's Office

6-1, Nagatacho 1-chome,
Chiyoda-ku, TOKYO, 100
JAPAN