Deaf – Barrier Free Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 5, 2021 0

Aichi Prefecture refused to treat hearing-impaired coronavirus patient in hotel, saying it was “difficult to cope” from a “safety point of view”

A deaf man, 33, living in Nagoya City, who was infected with the new coronavirus and requested hotel treatment, was rejected by Aichi Prefecture, saying it was difficult for him to communicate by telephone. The ‘All Japan Federation of the Deaf’ submitted a request for improvement to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the ministry will consider asking local governments not to exclude hearing-impaired people from hotel treatment.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 6, 2021 0

Deaf Disasters Hearing Impaired Japan

Japanese government promotes awareness of ‘Tsunami Flags’ to help the hearing impaired

The government has started to promote the use of “tsunami flags,” which are flags that visually notify people with hearing disabilities when tsunami warnings or advisories are issued at beaches.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 20, 2021 0

Coronavirus COVID-19 Deaf Disability Hearing Impaired Japan

As the pandemic continues, Nagoya based groups for the Deaf and hearing impaired raise concerns about masks hindering communication

As the new coronavirus spreads, a group of people concerned in Nagoya city, say “We have collected the real voices of people with hearing disabilities in the coronavirus disaster.” Wearing masks and other measures to prevent infection seem to be detrimental to the communication of deaf and deaf-blind people, who read words from the movement of their mouths and the shape of their fingers.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 1, 2020 0

Barrier Free Deaf Disability Japan

Question asked in Japanese Parliament using sign language for first time

Liberal Democratic Party member Eriko Imai asked questions in sign language at Japan’s upper house plenary session on the 30th. According to the House of Councilors Secretariat, this is the first question in sign language at the House of Councilors plenary session.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 26, 2020 0

Deaf Disability Japan

Starbucks to open 1st sign language store in Japan

Starbucks Coffee Japan Ltd. said Wednesday it will open its first store in the country with sign language ability for hearing impaired customers.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 13, 2020 0

Barrier Free Coronavirus COVID-19 Deaf Disability Japan

As COVID-19 pandemic continues, Kyoto Prefecture introduces service that offers sign language interpreters by smartphone and tablet

As a preventive measure against the new coronavirus infection, Kyoto Prefecture introduced a service from the June 9 that allows people with hearing impairments to use sign language interpreters remotely using smartphones or tablet terminals.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 10, 2020 0

Coronavirus COVID-19 Deaf Disability Hearing Impaired Japan

Japanese Federation of the Deaf highlights difficulties people with hearing impairments and signers face during COVID-19 crisis

“As hearing-impaired individuals and their interpreters express and comprehend meanings through facial expressions as well as movements of the hands and mouth, masks covering most of the face make communication difficult.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 24, 2020 0

Coronavirus COVID-19 Deaf Disability Japan

Saitama Prefecture to provide a Sign Language interpreter at Prefectural press conferences

Of the seven prefectures that were initially covered by the the state of emergency being declared in Japan, Saitama is the only the prefecture to have no sign language interpreter at the Governor’s press conferences.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 5, 2020 0

Deaf Disability Discrimination Hearing Impaired Japan

Hearing-impaired employee reaches settlement with Japanese financial services group ORIX over inadequate accommodation of her accessibility needs

In addition to arranging sign language interpreters, the settlement included training for supervisors for mutual understanding with the hearing impaired and conducting sign language training for employees.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 3, 2020 1

Coronavirus Deaf Disability Japan

Hokkaido based Hearing Impaired group highlights inadequacies in Coronavirus response

The Association for Hearing Loss in Hokkaido, whose headquarters are in Obihiro City, has requested that fax number be added to contact information for people looking guidance about the coronavirus . “The deaf cannot contact without a fax number,” said Akiko Sasaki.