And Now… 4 Years From the Elimination of Disqualification Clauses…

Posted on May 1, 2005 in legislation, Japanese Deaf News

from May 2005 Issue of Japanese Deaf News, JFD’s monthly newspaper:

Disbandment of the Headquarters for Revision of Laws Discriminating Persons with Hearing Disabilities

Representatives from 9 organizations attending the disbandment
ceremony of the Headquarters on March 25, 2005 (above), Report of the
activities of the Headquarters (left), Mimi Quarterly Vol.106 features on
Deaf people who are active in medical and other fields (right)

Disqualification clauses are articles of laws which stipulate that deaf people are not qualified to obtain licenses for certain occupations, etc. Some even prohibit the Deaf from taking the qualifying examinations. In June 2001, most of those disqualification clauses were eliminated as a result of a nationwide movement led by the “Headquarters for Revision of Laws Discriminating Persons with Hearing Disabilities”, established in partnership with different organizations related to persons with hearing disabilities in 1998.

On March 25th 2005, the disbandment ceremony of the Headquarters was held near Tokyo Station. However, questions remain as to whether all discrimination against persons with hearing disabilities have really been abolished. We take this opportunity to reflect back on the progress of this movement.

Standing Up for the Realization of “Full Participation and Equality”

From 1996 to 1997, the Japanese Federation of the Deaf (JFD), the promoter of the above Headquarters, celebrated its 50th anniversary and initiated the “National Caravan of the Deaf for Discussion with Governors”. JFD made an appeal to the Japanese public and administrators for early realization of “Full participation and equality” of the Deaf in society, in partnership with other organizations related to the Deaf. They also requested the revision of discriminatory laws which stipulate that “Deaf People cannot obtain qualification”. These laws include the Road Traffic Law Article 88 and other laws prohibiting Deaf people from obtaining licenses in the medical and other specialized fields.

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Reconfirming the Significance of an International Convention on Disability

Posted on September 1, 2004 in Convention on Persons with Disabilities, Japanese Deaf News

from September 2004 Issue of Japanese Deaf News, JFD’s monthly newspaper:

International Seminar on the Convention Held in Kyoto

The United Nations is currently undertaking the process of elaborating a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. On August 9th, an international seminar on this convention was held in Kyoto. This was the first such seminar on the convention to be held in the western part of Japan. Updates on movements related to the convention were reported, and the participants reconfirmed the significance of an international convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.

JFD President Ando Participates as a Panelist

Pres. Toyoki Ando of JFD (standing in center), presenting his views from the panel.

The International Seminar on Recent Movements Toward the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” was held on August 9th at the National Center of Sign Language Education in Kyoto City, hosted by the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons With Disabilities (JSRDP), with cooperation from the Japan Disability Forum (JDF) Preparation Committee. Discussions at this Seminar were focused on such issues as the definition of “disability”, and the understanding of “reasonable accommodations” by which persons with disabilities can achieve equality.

Representatives of the Japan Disability Forum (JDF) Preparation Committee confirmed the need for action based on sound principles in order to attain a convention of high quality in as short a time as possible. To achieve this purpose, it was agreed the Japan Disability Forum, which is still in its preparatory stage, would be formally established in autumn. JDF will aim to develop its advocacy movements and endeavor to win nationwide support toward the convention.

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The Common Desire of the World Deaf Community… The Official Recognition of Sign Language in Legislation

Posted on August 25, 2004 in sign language act, Online Resources

By Eiichi Takada – August 25, 2004

(English translation based on an article which appeared in the Oct. 25, 2004 edition of the Yomiuri Shimbun Newspaper)

The United Nations Ad Hoc Committee on a “Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities” is now in the process of discussing the contents of the convention. The Fourth Session of the Ad Hoc Committee, held from August 23 to September 3, was attended, not only by the Japanese government delegation, but also by a delegation of Japanese disability-related NGOs.

As the common desire of all the Deaf persons or persons with profound hearing disabilities throughout the world, the Deaf community is now focusing on the need to define sign languages as full-fledged languages.

It is true that sign language is becoming better understood by society at large, and people no longer look at us with curiosity when we are signing in public. Sign language often appears even in TV dramas. Most people, however, mistakenly believe that sign language is an alternative form of expressing spoken languages. Sign languages are still discriminated in that they are not recognized to be languages, equal to spoken languages.

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A Bolt From the Blue – Unexpected heavy downpour ravaged 28 families of the Deaf in 3 prefectures of Niigata, Fukushima and Fukui

Posted on August 1, 2004 in disaster relief, Japanese Deaf News

from August 2004 Issue of Japanese Deaf News, JFD’s monthly newspaper:

Mobile phones prove to be most useful, and fax machines less so

A torrential rainfall caused by the active seasonal rain front ravaged three prefectures of Niigata, Fukushima and Fukui. As of July 26, it is confirmed that there were no injuries to any Deaf people or to sign interpreters. 28 families of the Deaf in Niigata and Fukushima, were however, reported to be flooded above or below floor level.

Spending a night on top of a car roof

Home of Mr Katsuya Haga, chairman of Sanjo
Deaf Welfare Society in Niigata. The flood
water reached the level where he is pointing at.

In Niigata Prefecture, damages concentrated in the cities of Sanjo and Mitsuke, and the town of Nakanoshima. Casualties among the Deaf were 16 floodings above floor level and 2 below. Many Deaf people live in Sanjo City. Every road there was covered with water up to knee or to chest level and roads leading to Sanjo were so congested that it was difficult to reach the devastated area. In such circumstances, leaders of the local sign language study group took the initiative in confirming the safety of the Deaf in the community.

Many facsimile machines went underwater and became useless, while sending and receiving text messages through mobile phones proved most useful in confirming safety and exchanging information. On the other hand, people without mobile phones spent worrisome days, not having means to communicate with others.

The first floor of the home of Mr Katsuya Haga, chairman of Sanjo Deaf Welfare Society, was flooded. A new facsimile machine was brought to his home by the Niigata Deaf Association. A deaf person who spent a night on the roof of his car submerged underwater said, “My wet body became cold and it was scary because it was so dark around.”

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Aspirations and Dreams for A Better Deaf Education

Posted on May 1, 2004 in education, Japanese Deaf News

from May 2004 Issue of Japanese Deaf News, JFD’s monthly newspaper:

Every year, schools throughout the country employ new teachers to prepare for the new school year (which begins on April 1 in Japan). A survey has revealed that this year, at least 12 Deaf teachers have been employed by the public education system to teach in Deaf schools throughout Japan. It is the first time in history that over 10 Deaf teachers were newly hired in a single year.

12 New Deaf Teachers to Start Teaching in Deaf Schools

The big news is that Deaf teachers have been employed for the first time by 6 prefectures: Iwate, Nagano, Yamanashi, Gifu, Miyazaki, and Nagasaki. Aichi Prefecture has also hired a Deaf teacher for the first time in 70 years. On the island of Kyushu, Deaf teachers specializing in Physical Education and English have been employed.

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Asian Deaf Friendship Fund Decides to Support the Deaf in Cambodia

Posted on May 1, 2004 in international activities, Japanese Deaf News

from May 2004 Issue of Japanese Deaf News, JFD’s monthly newspaper:

DDP Assistant Programme Manager Mr. So Sereyvuth explaining the
situation of Cambodia to ADFF Committee member Mr. Ogura.

Representing the Japanese Federation of the Deaf, Asian Deaf Friendship Fund Committee members, Takeo Ogura and Yutaka Osugi, visited Cambodia from March 29 to April 1. The two were able to get firsthand information on the management and activities of the Cambodian Disabled People’s Organization (CDPO) as well as on the support offered by the Deaf Development Program (DDP) under Maryknoll, and to confirm that the purpose of DDP’s request for funding aid is to establish a facility for providing vocational training.

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Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Influences Business Run by Deaf Poultry Breeder

Posted on April 1, 2004 in other, Japanese Deaf News

from April 2004 Issue of Japanese Deaf News, JFD’s monthly newspaper:

Mr. Iwabayashi sterilizing his chicken house

Ever since a poultry farm in Tamba, Kyoto was infected by the bird flu in February, business has been difficult for surrounding poultry breeders, including Mr. Kazuo Iwabayashi (age 54), a Deaf poultry breeder operating a small business in this area.

On Feb. 28th, the government decided to prohibit the shipment of eggs or poultry meat from all farms located within 30km from the infected poultry meat processing company. Mr. Iwabayashi’s farm was located within this area. On March 2nd, the restricted area was reduced to farms within 5km from the infected company, and Mr. Iwabayashi was able to resume shipment of his products. However, during the 4-day ban, a total of 20,000 eggs were withheld from shipment.

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Recent movements related to the UN Adhoc Committee Working Group draft of the Convention on Persons with Disabilities

Posted on April 1, 2004 in Convention on Persons with Disabilities, Online Resources

Dr. Yutaka Osugi, Executive Director of JFD Headquarters, at the recently
held strategic conference of disability NGOs, explaining the standpoint of
the World Federation of the Deaf

The United Nations has started working on the consideration of a convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. The Ad Hoc Committee to consider the convention established a Working Group for the drafting of the convention text. The Working Group produced a draft for the convention on January, 2004. On March 26, the World Federation of the Deaf announced its official comments on the draft convention and its proposals for changes (below).

In Japan, disability related NGOs held a strategic conference to consider the draft convention text (organized by the Japan Disability Forum Preparation Committee) on March 27-28. At this conference, the Japanese Federation of the Deaf introduced the official WFD comments and proposals for changes.

Concerning the definition of “language”, it was suggested that WFD make use of Article 27 of the “UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights” (below). Concerning the right to education, it was pointed out that there should be further research on the appropriateness of classifying languages into sign language, spoken language, and written language. Prior to discussions with the Japanese government, scheduled to be held on April 28, the Japanese Federation of the Deaf will cooperate with other disability related NGOs to hold further discussions on the convention draft, especially in relation to the “definition of language”, “information/communication”, and “education”.

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The 35th National Winter Games for the Deaf

Posted on April 1, 2004 in sports and Deaflympics, Japanese Deaf News

from April 2004 Issue of Japanese Deaf News, JFD’s monthly newspaper:

Heated Competition and Warm Friendship on Mt. Tateyama

Women’s Snowboard Slalom Medalists (from left): 3rd place Ms. Imanishi
(Osaka), 1st place Ms. Kato (Tokyo), 2nd place Ms. Motoki (Nagano)

The 35th National Winter Games for the Deaf (organized by the Japanese Federation of the Deaf and hosted by Toyama Deaf Welfare Association) was held for 4 days (February 26-29) in Gokurakuzaka Skiing Area in Oyama-cho, Toyama Prefecture.

Competitions were held in three categories: Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding and Technique. 87 athletes from all over Japan (except for the 2 blocks of Chugoku and Kyushu) participated.

The courses of the 2000 National Athletic Meet were made available for the games and athletes gallantly challenged the courses that require high techniques.

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Lectures by International Sign Interpreter Bill Moody – “Is International Sign a Language?”

Posted on March 1, 2004 in other, Japanese Deaf News

from March 2004 Issue of Japanese Deaf News, JFD’s monthly newspaper:

Current Situation and Outlook

Bill Moody giving an impressive presentation on International Sign

International Sign interpreter Bill Moody gave lectures at a meeting organized by the International Committee of the Japanese Federation of the Deaf on February 7th and also at the 4th Sigh Language Research Seminar held by the Japan Institute for Sign Language Studies (JSLS) on the 8th.

Both lectures took place in Creo Osaka East in Osaka City and each was attended by roughly 90 people including the members of JSLS.

Moody talked about the activities in the late 1970’s France to promote awareness on Sign Language and about the contents of ASL interpreter training courses in the US.

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