Hearing-impaired woman refused access to Yokohama ropeway

From The Mainichi Shimbun

December 5 2021

YOKOHAMA – In July in Naka-ku, Yokohama, a hearing-impaired woman tried to ride on a ropeway by herself, but was refused use because of her disability, according to an interview with a person concerned. It was reported that the business operator has stipulated in the manual that hearing-impaired people should not use it alone.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism provided administrative guidance to businesses. Although the response has been improved now, there are voices from hearing-impaired people’s groups saying, “I want you to be able to enjoy the ropeway even if you have hearing loss.”

The ropeway is “YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN” which opened in April. It connects about 630 meters one way from JR Sakuragicho Station to the canal park in Minatomirai 21 district, and you can see the 360-degree view of the bay area from a height of up to 40 meters. The website emphasizes that it is barrier-free, such as being able to ride in a wheelchair on all gondola (8-seater), which is called “the world’s most advanced urban circulation ropeway”.

According to the person concerned, when a woman living in the city tried to ride alone in July, the staff refused to use it without a caregiver. She suggested that she show the documents prepared by the clerk and ride with her, but the woman refused and left.