“The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Marathon event will feature a total of five classes, including a class for men and women with visual impairments (T12), male amputees (T46), and men and women’s wheelchair users (T54). Athletes with visual impairment will be allowed to be accompanied by a guide runner. The players must hold the elbows of the guide runners or hold on the ropes and run, as they must not be separated by more than 50 cm.”
“”I want to show to the world Japan’s innovativeness, which allows even those with serious disabilities to participate in society,” said 54-year-old Hajime Takano, a resident of the Kanagawa Prefecture city of Kawasaki, south of Tokyo. He hopes to become a volunteer in the service sector, such as directing visitors to their destinations. “
“Under the plan, presented at a related meeting on Monday, such ministries and agencies will each see a cut of ¥600,000 per person a year from funds allotted to purchase consumables, beginning in fiscal 2021.”
“The robots, created with Japanese technology, are expected to assist spectators in such ways as guiding people to their seats at stadiums, bringing food and drinks to those in wheelchairs, providing event information and helping carry things.”
“”Just after exchanging greetings, however, basketball player Katsumi Miyake rushed back into the station. He returned sometime later and explained that the accessible washroom outside the gates was broken, so he had to use the one inside. There aren’t many bathrooms for wheelchair users so I can’t hesitate even if I have to go back in,” he said. Miyake’s remark hinted at a major challenge in improving the washroom situation at stations near venues.”
“NHK Produces Anime for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics”
“Former LDP secretary-general and president Sadakazu Tanigaki said: “As I’m now disabled, I feel each and every individual faces different challenges. I’d like to see how disabled athletes will overcome their challenges and fight in the games,” referring to next year’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. “Their efforts will inspire me.” ”
““Understanding of both para-sports and disabilities will not progress without deeper public exposure,” she said, expressing her hope that the Tokyo Games will further boost conditions for disabled athletes. “We hope our performances lead to better understanding of disabilities.” ”
“In connection with the Tokyo Games, the government-backed “beyond2020” program, which aims to realize a society where diverse people can live together post-2020, encourages participants to propose cultural events that “eliminate barriers of people with disabilities.” ”
From The Yomiuri Shimbun December 16th 2018 The government has released free of charge a trial app called “Personal navigation,”Continue Reading
Barrier Free Japan