Category: Technology

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 7, 2024 1
Barrier Free Disability Internet Japan Technology

Websites in Japan becoming more friendly to people with disabilities 

Private business operators in Japan are gearing up to comply with upcoming legal requirements mandating “reasonable consideration” for people with disabilities.
Against this backdrop, an increasing number of organizations, both in the private and public sectors, are embracing solutions provided by a French startup. The solutions allow for adjustments to website design settings in line with users’ visual, motor and cognitive capabilities, facilitating a more comfortable browsing experience for people with disabilities.

Japan’s revised law on eliminating discrimination against people with disabilities is scheduled to take effect in April. Enacted in 2021, the law mandates that both the central and local governments, along with business operators, provide reasonable consideration to people with disabilities. Previously, business operators were required to make such efforts.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 28, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Technology Travel

Disability News Japan Podcast: Scanning Errors: QR Codes Might Encroach on Barrier Free Travel in Japan

The photograph was taken at my local train station in Kobe. The station itself is quite accessible to a person with disabilities like myself. However, there is one small problem when one enters the station, because those who enter the station, enter what I like to call an ‘empire of QR codes’.

‘But isn’t that ok, maybe even accessible’ I hear you say? But, I find it difficult to hold my body still for a lengthy period of time because it spasms, it took me more than ten minutes to take this photo, imagine how much time it would take for me to scan a QR code.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 8, 2023 1
Disability Japan Metaverse Technology Welfare

Tokyo ward tests ‘metaverse’ office for disabled, seeks full support by FY 2028

In the “metaverse ward office,” local residents can use their avatars to move around inside a virtual municipal hall, which is designed like the real one, after accessing the virtual space from the ward’s website. The ward aspires to make the service fully available to all residents, covering all of its departments by fiscal 2028.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 30, 2023 1
Deaf Disability Hearing Impaired Japan Technology

Unauthorized Computer Access at Mie Support Center for the Hearing Impaired, Personal Information May Have Leaked

The Mie Prefectural Support Center for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, which provides support for the hearing impaired and trains sign language interpreters, announced that someone had gained unauthorized access to a staff member’s computer, possibly leaking the names, addresses, and other personal information of about 1,200 people, including the hearing impaired and sign language interpreters, to outside parties.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 17, 2023 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Relationships Technology

Disability News Japan Podcast: Japan’s free matching app ‘Irodori’ for disabled, supporters marks 10,000 downloads

A free app for people with disabilities and supporters seeking friendship in Japan has achieved 10,000 downloads in two months since its launch in July. As with other matching tools, users of the “Irodori” app register their own information, such as date of birth and gender, and it has a field to enter whether or not they have a disability. The app has communities where people with similar interests can communicate with each other, and a matching function for men and women. Users’ feedback included, “I have been able to casually talk with people who have similar characteristics to myself.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 15, 2023 2
Barrier Free Disability Japan Relationships Technology

Japan’s free matching app for disabled, supporters marks 10,000 downloads

A free app for people with disabilities and supporters seeking friendship in Japan has achieved 10,000 downloads in two months since its launch in July.

As with other matching tools, users of the “Irodori” app register their own information, such as date of birth and gender, and it has a field to enter whether or not they have a disability. The app has communities where people with similar interests can communicate with each other, and a matching function for men and women. Users’ feedback included, “I have been able to casually talk with people who have similar characteristics to myself.”