March 18, 2024
From October 2023 to March 2024, the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion conducted the project "Campus Barrier-Free Exploration Team—Aiming to Realize an Inclusive Environment" as part of the Design the Future Fund program.
The purpose of this project is to make recommendations for creating a barrier-free campus where everyone can feel comfortable. This is achieved by exploring the campus with people with disabilities to identify barriers (social barriers) that hinder the studies of students with disabilities.
At the project's recent final presentation meeting, student participants made recommendations for promoting accessibility on campus.
The Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion will continue its activities with the aim of realizing a campus where everyone can feel comfortable.
The following is a report on the activities leading up to the final presentation meeting.
・DET (Disability Equality Training)
On October 16, as a preliminary training for the campus survey, we invited a lecturer from the Disability Equality Training Forum, and the student participants of the project took part in DET. Through lectures and group work, they learned about the concept of "the social model of disability."
*A scene from the DET session
・Campus Survey
During December, Keio students, people with disabilities, experts, and others collaborated to conduct barrier-free explorations (surveys) on the Mita, Hiyoshi, and Yagami Campuses.
By navigating the campus in a wheelchair and wearing glasses that simulate low vision, they were able to discover numerous barriers that hinder the campus life of students with disabilities.
*A scene from the survey at Mita Campus. The ATM door is heavy and cannot be opened by a wheelchair user alone. Also, the space inside is too narrow for a wheelchair user to enter.
*A scene from the survey at Yagami Campus. Even slight slopes or steps can make it difficult for wheelchair users to move around.
*Going up and down stairs while wearing glasses that simulate low vision. With an unclear field of vision, clear color contrasts, rubber, or non-slip grips provide a sense of security.
・Opinion Exchange Session
On February 6, students held an opinion exchange session to discuss the issues identified during the surveys on each campus. They had in-depth discussions on the final proposals for campus accessibility.
・Final Presentation Meeting
On March 14, the final presentation meeting for the project was held, with project leader Professor Yasushi Nakano, Vice-President Okuda, Vice-President Okada, and Mr. Unemoto from the DET Forum in attendance. From the perspective of the social model of disability, the students reviewed the current state of the campuses and made recommendations on what Keio University as a whole should implement.
In response to the recommendations, the professors and vice-presidents provided valuable comments and advice, making it a meaningful meeting that culminated the project.
(*A video of the presentation meeting will be released at a later date.)