抄録
This study aims at providing some ideas for improving the mobility of disabled persons. In the run-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, establishing effective and comfortable transit systems for the disabled is becoming an important issue. In addition, raising the quality of these systems will help to prepare for the advancement of the ageing society.
In this study, we focus on the possibility of enhancing effectiveness and comfort in moving in a wheelchair. Based on field studies on wheelchair tennis players, we identify some important issues concerning physically disabled athletes. First, there aren’t enough so-called “barrier-free facilities” to provide smooth transit. Some measures should be taken to take care of groups of wheelchair athletes who need to move smoothly during the competitions. Second, urban infrastructures fall short of the expectations of active athletes in need of convenient means of transportation. Third, current means of personal transit involving equipment like wheelchairs can’ t provide enough functions and comfort for disabled athletes. This problem becomes even more evident when the athletes confront difficulties in carrying their sports equipment.
To solve these problems, we conducted brainstorming sessions involving designers and a wheelchair tennis player. The discussions were carried out based on the design-thinking approach, focusing on the benefits for wheelchair users. Our conclusion is that disabled athletes need individual means of transit that allow them to move freely even in small public spaces. The key lies in power units that enable wheelchair users to move on their own. Here we provide two concrete ideas. One is a wheelchair powered by an electric power unit. The other is an electric vehicle that wheelchair users can ride on directly. We believe these ideas will help to promote the activities of disabled athletes and contribute to the success of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
