Less than 40% of Prefectural Sports Facilities have carried out Staff Disability Awareness Training in Japan

From The Tokyo Shimbun

March 14 2022

JAPAN – A nationwide survey conducted by Kyodo News found that only less than 40% of prefectural sports facilities have conducted staff training within the past three years on how to consider and accommodate disabled persons.

Of the facilities, 85% responded that they have “completed” barrier-free accessibility.

The momentum for sports for the disabled is growing after the Tokyo and Beijing Paralympics, and facilities need to be flexible in accommodating the disabled, but awareness of the soft aspects is still insufficient compared to the hard aspects. 　 　Fifteen percent, or 60 facilities, responded that they have not yet completed barrier-free access. Slopes, elevators, and Braille blocks were cited as facilities that have not been installed.