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@ease Supporters: Roundtable Discussion on Accessibility
Feb. 28, 2024
Following the article "@ease Supporters: Creating a Safe Campus for All," here, we sat down with @ease supporters for a roundtable discussion on the past, present, and future of the @ease project. Participants included: Yumiko Shimada, coordinator of the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; @ease supporters Kenta Shobu (a second-year master's student at the Graduate School of Science and Technology), Aoi Yoshizawa (a third-year student at the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies), and Yuma Morisaki (a first-year student at the Faculty of Letters); and Fumihiko Chimura, an administrative staff member who receives assistance.
Shimada: Today, we are joined by three @ease supporters and Fumihiko Chimura, an administrative staff member who receives assistance from the supporters. Chimura-san––you receive mobility assistance support from Shobu-san, who is here with us today.
Chimura: Yes, that's right. What helps me the most is having someone to talk to. I'm grateful for the mobility assistance, of course, but it also brightens my day to learn about what's happening around campus through our conversations. It helps remind me of the importance of communication and relationships.
Shobu: In assisting Chimura-san, I also place great importance on communication. I believe it's my role to inquire about the specific support required for each individual and attend to those needs.
Shimada: Yoshizawa-san, what kind of things do you keep in mind when providing support?
Yoshizawa: I make a conscious effort to avoid preconceived notions based on assumptions about a person's specific disability. So, for me, engaging in close communication is vital for that.
Shimada: We often have to make last-minute requests to @ease supporters at SFC, and Yoshizawa-san is always quick to raise her hand to help out with those last-minute requests.
Yoshizawa: I find the work of @ease supporters very rewarding, so I'm eager to take on as much as my schedule allows.
Shobu: In terms of scheduling, I, too, try to take on as much as I can within reason. If I don't have enough time due to my research or other commitments, there's a chance that I'll make mistakes or won't be considerate enough.
Shimada: Yes, those are important things to consider. Morisaki-san, you just recently became a supporter. What kind of activities are you planning to take on in the future?
Morisaki: Ever since I started using a wheelchair, it has felt like the opportunities for me to help others have disappeared, something I deeply regret. So, right now, I want to offer whatever support I can, and I'm looking forward to getting started.
Fostering Exchange among @ease Supporters
Shimada: I vividly recall when Morisaki-san showed up at the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to ask if she could become a supporter. When I asked if she was any good with computers, she confidently replied, "Yeah, I am!" Providing information accessibility support during university ceremonies and note-taking by computer in lectures are a few ways supporters play their part. Shobu-san, maybe you could take this opportunity to share some tips and tricks you've learned.
Shobu: It seems pretty daunting at first, doesn't it, to type at the speed of natural speech? That's how I felt. But there are techniques we've developed over time, such as registering commonly used keywords in advance or dividing the work between two people. It's not nearly as difficult if you apply these techniques and prepare beforehand. I experienced that firsthand when helping with information accessibility support during the entrance ceremony.
Morisaki: Thank you for those insights. That makes me feel more confident going forward.
Shimada: Would it be beneficial to have more opportunities for supporters to interact and share ideas like we're doing today?
Shobu: Yes, I think so. Supporter activities are often carried out individually and on a case-by-case basis. It would be great to have casual gatherings where we could exchange more information.
Yoshizawa: I feel the same way. Those interactions could lead to forming a support community that might lead to new initiatives to resolve accessibility issues.
Shobu: It would be nice to have a space where people could casually gather and interact to make a community like this possible.
Shimada: That's good to know. You're always welcome to visit the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Hiyoshi Campus. It is true, though, that it was difficult to have opportunities to interact with other supporters since they are spread out across several campuses and, as Shobu-san mentioned, they often work on their own. But you've all raised some valid points––in the future, I'd like to think in concrete terms about opportunities and spaces where supporters can interact with each other.
Breaking Down the Distinctions Between "Helper" and "Helped"
Shimada: While the work of a supporter certainly requires a range of expertise gained through training and workshops, as Shobu-san mentioned earlier, regarding information accessibility, you'll find that the actual task is not as daunting as it seems once you get involved. For those who want to give it a try, I would say, just go for it.
Yoshizawa: I couldn't agree more. What I've realized through my work as a supporter is that it's not just about me unilaterally helping people with disabilities. In fact, I often find myself on the receiving end, gaining various insights and being helped in return.
Shobu: Absolutely. Chimura-san has more life experience than me, and he also has a successful professional career, so while I may be the supporter, he's the one who has given me valuable insights about what it means to work within an organization. I've learned and realized so much just by spending time with him.
Chimura: I've never been good at expressing myself, but I've learned to enjoy talking with people through my conversations with Shobu-san. I'm glad I've been able to give back in some way.
Shobu: Not at all. I look forward to many more conversations on all kinds of topics.
Morisaki: Since entering university, I've usually been the one receiving help. I'm grateful to the supporters for creating a friendly atmosphere for me on campus. Now, it's my turn to give back as a supporter, and I'm excited to play my part.
Yoshizawa: I wish you all the best. I'm hoping one day we can break down the distinctions between "helper" and "helped."
Shobu: If you're ever in doubt, don't hesitate to reach out.
Morisaki: Thank you. I can't wait to get started!
