Neurodiversity: The Individuality of "Dyslexia" (Reading and Writing Difficulties)
Event Date
Event Venue
Neurodiversity: The Individuality of "Dyslexia" (Reading and Writing Difficulties)
We welcome Yuhi Shimomura, a creative director with dyslexia who works on advertisements for national governments and famous companies, to speak about his life from childhood to the present. The facilitator will be Eiko Todo, the representative of the NPO Edge, who has been supporting dyslexia activities for 25 years based in Minato City, Tokyo, and is also dyslexic herself. Along with their talk, we will hold a workshop to think and dialogue about dyslexia together with the participants. This is an opportunity to learn enjoyably about the characteristics and diverse possibilities of dyslexia while hearing the real voices of those involved.
Event Information
Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 18:15–19:15
Location: Classroom DB203, Independence Wing, Keio University Hiyoshi Campus Hiyoshi Campus Map
Target Audience: Open to everyone (no prior registration required, entry and exit during the session allowed)
Organizers: Future-Leading ACCESS++ Project × Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Inquiries: keiodiversity@info.keio.ac.jp
Workshop Instructor Profiles
Eiko Todo (Facilitator)
Chairperson of the certified NPO Edge, Representative of ToDo Planning Co., Ltd., and Expert Committee Member of the Japan Developmental Disorder Network (JDDnet).
Born in Yokohama in 1953.
Lived in France, Italy, and Belgium from childhood and returned to Japan in 1970.
Graduated from the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law, Keio University in 1976. After working in the Press and Information Department of the Delegation of the European Commission to Japan and working as a freelance interpreter, she established ToDo Planning Co., Ltd. in 1995, handling translation, interpretation, and international planning.
Established the NPO Edge in 2001, active as a person with dyslexia (reading and writing difficulties), a parent, and a supporter. She has delivered the voices of those affected to legislation and policies such as the "Act on Support for Persons with Developmental Disabilities" and the "Act on Promotion of Reading Activities for Persons with Disabilities (Reading Barrier-Free Act)."
She continues to work toward legislative reform as Chairperson and focuses on social awareness, such as supervising films depicting dyslexia.
Served as a Director and Vice-Chairperson at JDDnet for 20 years starting in 2004, and has been an Expert Committee Member since 2026. Obtained a Master of Arts in Education from Seisa University Graduate School in 2016 and served as a Project Professor at the same university until 2023.
Yuhi Shimomura (Instructor)
A creative professional involved in the planning and expression of advertisements and brands.
Graduated from London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London.
After working at advertising agencies and the Digital Agency, he is currently involved in advertising and communication work for Apple.
Felt difficulty with reading and writing since childhood and was later diagnosed with dyslexia. Currently, he works to convey things to people using not only words but also ideas and visuals.
In addition to his work, he continues to create works using Ainu embroidery and traditional Japanese fabrics.