Category: Podcast

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 11, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Japan Kyoto Podcast

JR Kyoto’s Seemingly Permanently ‘Out of Order’ ‘Accessible Toilet’ – There is Hope! [Podcast Episode]

The saga of Barrier Free Japan versus JR Kyoto Station’s toilet ‘Out of Order’ ‘Accessible Toilet’ continues…Back in December 2023, Barrier Free Japan wrote about they often leave Kyoto by JR Kyoto Station and noted that one of JR Kyoto Station’s ‘accessible toilets’ had been ‘out of order’ or ‘unavailable for use’ for weeks. Barrier Free Japan reported on October 31st 2024 that almost over one year later, it remained ‘out of order.’ On Friday 8th November 2024, Barrier Free Japan observed an ‘accessible toilet’ which was ‘un-taped off!’

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 8, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan Podcast

Over Half of Companies in Toyama Prefecture Employ No People with Disabilities [Podcast Episode]

Companies in Japan of a certain size are required by law to employ people with disabilities, according to the ‘Act on Promotion of Employment of People with Disabilities’. Companies with 40 or more employees in Japan are required by law to employ at least one person with a disability. According to the Toyama Labor Bureau, over half of the companies that meet that certain size have not employed a single person, so-called zero-employment companies.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 6, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free developmental disabilities Disability Education Japan Podcast

Tokyo Ward Launches Free “Five-year-old check-ups” for Early Detection of Developmental Disabilities [Podcast Episode]

A national subsidy system has been launched for “five-year-old health checkups” conducted by local governments. The main aim is to detect developmental disorders early before entering elementary school and connect them to support through medical care, welfare. The results of the checkups are thought to have a bearing on each individual’s schooling.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 4, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast

Violinist with Cerebral Palsy to Perform in Shinagawa During Disabled Persons Week [Podcast Episode]

December 3rd to December 9th every year is Disability Week. The Disabled Persons Week was established by the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities to promote interest and understanding of welfare of persons with disabilities among the public at large, and to promote active participation of persons with disabilities in activities in all fields. Shikimachi Mizuki, a violinist who has cerebral palsy will perform a piece composed for the event, “Barrier-free Heart: Healing Tones”.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 27, 2024 Number of comments0
Election Japan Podcast

Election Day in Japan: The Podcast Episode of ‘Do it Yourself!!’ [Podcast Episode]

As this blog post is being written it is 8PM on Sunday 27th October, the polls have just closed and NHK is predicting that the LDP and New Komeito may lose their majority.

The polling place near where Barrier Free Japan lives in Kobe had NHK crew near it in the morning and were asking questions about how people voted, and what they thought about far right groups like the ‘Sanseito’, a party that in English refers to themselves as the ‘Party of Do it Yourself!!’

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 25, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast

Storytime with Barrier Free Japan: Unwanted ‘Backpack Grabs’ and Painful ‘Help’ [Podcast Episode]

This just happens too often to Michey of Barrier Free Japan. Michey will be walking down a street and then, from behind, someone will grab Michey’s backpack. Some will say ‘but they were trying to be kind.’ As someone with a physical disability, all I can say is this: their unwelcome attention is no less painful because it was well-intentioned. Just ask permission before grabbing people and their belongings!

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 23, 2024 Number of comments0
Dating Disability Japan Matchmaking Podcast Relationships

Intellectually Disabled Man Barred from Tokyo Matchmaking Event, Told “only healthy are eligible” [Podcast Episode]

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has taken issue with the response of the organizing group regarding the participation of a man with a mild intellectual disability at a matchmaking party posted on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s website. The man was refused participation immediately after declaring his disability. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has asked the organizers to “take sincere action,” and the group has expressed its intention to improve.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 20, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Election Japan Podcast

Ahead of Lower House Election, Japan Council of Disabled People Calls for Improvements to Enable Ability to Vote [Podcast Episode]

The request calls for (1) the preparation of materials with the list of candidates written in Braille or large print, (2) permission to have a helper accompany people when voting, and (3) publicizing the fact that people who have difficulty moving around can vote by post, and people who have difficulty writing can vote by proxy by having a polling station employee write for them.