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by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 27, 2024 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan Travel

Scanning Errors: QR Codes Encroach on Barrier Free Travel in Japan

The photograph shows 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 January 27, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Disasters Earthquake Japan Podcast Politics

Disability News Japan Podcast: Japan’s Politicians with Disabilities Meet to Discuss Quake Response

A meeting of a national organization made up of local politicians with disabilities was held in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture on January 15th, and the plan was to provide extensive support to people with disabilities in anticipation of a prolonged evacuation period following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 25, 2024 Number of comments0
Japan Para Sports

Japan’s Wheelchair Tennis Player Takashi Sanada Out of Australian Open Singles Tournament

Tochigi born wheelchair tennis player Takashi Sanada, former winner of the Osaka Open and Japan Open, is out of the Australian Open Singles Tournament in Melbourne, losing to Britain’s Alfie Hewett 6-1 7-5.

Sanada along with Daisuke Arai will play Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid in the Mens Wheelchair Doubles Semi-finals on Thursday 25th January.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 23, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Education Elderly Japan Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: Disabled in Ishikawa Turn Down Secondary Evacuation, Education Ministry Reports on Disabled Students

More on why some elderly and people with disabilities are reluctant to take the ‘secondary evacuation’ option and Japan’s Education Ministry drafts a report on how to accommodate the increasing number of people with disabilities attending universities in Japan.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 23, 2024 1
Disability Education Japan

Japan’s Education Ministry Discusses Support for Increasing Number of University Students with Disabilities

Ahead of the revised Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities coming into effect in April, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s expert panel drafted a report on the 22nd that summarizes the ideas and matters necessary for educational support for university students with disabilities. As the revised law is enacted, the provision of reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, which was previously mandatory for national and public universities, will now become mandatory for private universities as well.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 22, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Disasters Earthquake Japan Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: In Quake-Affected Areas, Needing the Familiar, Some Residents of Facilities for Disabled Turn Down ‘Secondary Evacuation’ Option

NHK reported on its TV programme ‘News Watch 9’ on January 22nd that four ‘Group Homes’ and facilities for people with disabilities in Ishikawa Prefecture decided not to take the ‘secondary evacuation’ option, out of a concern that a change of environment might be disruptive to their mental health.