Handicapped people in the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake

After the earthquake, Mr. Kira who was handicapped had to make sure if other people in his group for the handicapped were safe. Fortunately, all other members were safe, but through the experiences in the disaster he experienced much inconvenience and inconsiderateness towards the handicapped people in city facilities and shelters.

After a while, he started to publish an information booklet for handicapped people. In interviews with non-handicapped people, he recognized clear changes in their attitudes toward handicapped people. However, compared to the attitudes of people in Hawaii, we still have more room for improvement in Japan. Non-handicapped and handicapped people can certainly become closer and can think from the same viewpoint.

Mr. Nagi who supports the handicapped thinks it is important for non-handicapped people to consider how to associate with the handicapped. Some handicapped people cannot tell their opinion freely to others or do not have such chances. We should also support those people and be helpful.

-Student's impressions-

Japanese people are sometimes too preoccupied by time and efficiency. If we become more generous with our time, we can construct a better society.

Through this seminar, I learned about being truly barrier-free, not substantially but mentally, not like in Japan but like in Hawaii. To be barrier-free in Japan, we have to eliminate the unseen barriers in our minds between non-handicapped and handicapped people.