Just as hearing people communicate through speech, people with hearing disabilities communicate through sign language.
However, promotional materials for general lectures and similar events almost never state whether communication access (※) is provided, such as interpretation.
As a result, even when there is a lecture they want to attend, people may need to check in advance whether a sign language interpreter will be available or, in some cases, request and pay for an interpreter themselves. This takes effort, making it impossible to drop in casually at lectures and other events.
In response to these challenges, the Okayama Prefectural Center for the Deaf holds the “Lectures for People with Hearing Disabilities” to improve the living culture of people with hearing disabilities and promote their participation in society.
“Communication access” refers to efforts to ensure that everyone present can participate equally in a given setting, by conveying surrounding audio information to people who cannot hear it using sign language, text, and other means, or conversely, by converting statements made using sign language, text, and other means into speech.
Japan Student Services Organization: 3. Hearing Disabilities (1) What Are Hearing Disabilities?
This is the only center in Okayama Prefecture that provides information to people with hearing disabilities living in the prefecture. I am also registered as a user and have received support from the center, including arranging sign language interpreters.
I thought, “I might be able to enjoy learning at a lecture for people with hearing disabilities,” so I went along.
Here, I’ll report on what I learned in sign language, using written Japanese (the written language).
The information presented was current when this article was published in February 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Lectures for People with Hearing Disabilities: “Let’s Grow to Love Okayama”
“Let’s Grow to Love Okayama Even More” was held on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Okayama Prefectural Center for the Deaf, located on the fourth floor of Kirameki Plaza in Okayama City.
The speaker was Endo Hiroko, a former announcer at Sanyo Broadcasting (RSK) who now works as a freelance announcer.
Endo also works as a registered sign language interpreter for Okayama Prefecture.
A venue filled with sign language
The Okayama Prefectural Center for the Deaf is on the fourth floor of Kirameki Plaza in Kita Ward, Okayama City.
Kirameki Plaza is a comprehensive welfare facility where prefecture-run organizations such as the Okayama Prefectural Center for the Deaf work together with welfare organizations such as the Okayama Prefectural Association for the Welfare of the Deaf and the Okayama Prefectural Association of the Hard of Hearing to promote community welfare.
Since this lecture was part of the “Lectures for People with Hearing Disabilities” hosted by the Okayama City Association of the Deaf, 90 percent of the participants had hearing disabilities.
As soon as the doors opened, participants began entering, and before long the venue was filled with sign language.
I usually communicate verbally with hearing people, but I feel anxious about whether I’m hearing them correctly. With sign language, I can see the content of the conversation, so it is a reassuring way to communicate.
The people with hearing disabilities gathered at the venue also live their everyday lives surrounded by hearing people. That is why a place like this, where they can gather with others and talk freely in sign language, is so precious.
A lecture delivered in sign language by the speaker herself
“Today, I didn’t ask for a sign language interpreter. It has been my dream for many years to share my own words in sign language. Please let me make that dream come true today.”
As Endo began speaking, everyone in the audience opened their eyes wide.
Perhaps the words joy and relief are more fitting than surprise.
Even at a “lecture for people with hearing disabilities,” when the speaker is hearing, the usual approach is for a sign language interpreter to stand beside the speaker and interpret the spoken words into sign language.
However, because sign language and Japanese are different languages, subtle nuances may not come across. Also, because it is simultaneous interpretation, it is not possible to interpret all the spoken information, and parts of the talk may be left out.
But this day was different.
The speaker wove her words with her own hands. That meant we could fully understand what she wanted to say in our own language.
The participants’ faces lit up, and everyone waved their hands above their heads.
This is how you applaud in sign language. I was so happy and touched that she had prepared a talk just for us.
Fun facts to help you love Okayama even more
Endo works throughout Okayama Prefecture as an active announcer. She shared fun facts that only she would know, to help us “love Okayama even more.”
The Kinoshita Circus originated in Okayama Prefecture
Have you heard of the Kinoshita Circus?
It is a Japanese circus troupe known for its acrobatic performances and shows featuring white tigers.
I remember going to see it with my grandfather when I was little and being thrilled by the breathtaking performances.
Remarkably, the Kinoshita Circus is counted among the world’s three greatest circuses.
Apparently, the birthplace of the Kinoshita Circus, one of Japan’s leading circuses, is right here in Okayama Prefecture. That’s something to be proud of.
Endo once tried the flying trapeze while reporting on the circus and learned about its history. She laughed as she recalled how frightening the trapeze was, at 13 meters high and 20 meters wide.
Buildings within Korakuen Garden can be rented
Korakuen Garden is one of Japan’s three great gardens. Created during the Edo period, it continues to attract many visitors from Japan and abroad.
Scattered throughout the garden are several buildings where visitors can spend time enjoying the scenery of the Japanese garden.
I assumed that, because they were all historically valuable buildings, we could only admire them as part of the garden scenery.
However, it turns out that some of these buildings are available for general rental.
What’s more, facility rental fees start at 900 yen for three hours (rates vary by building).
Wouldn’t it be a lovely touch to host friends from elsewhere in Japan or visitors from overseas at Korakuen Garden?
The picture book Brothers Dog, passing on the story of the July 2018 heavy rains disaster
Alongside her work as an announcer and sign language interpreter, Endo is also active with the storytelling group “Ohanashi no WA♪.”
Formed in 2011 to support recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, “Ohanashi no WA♪” created the picture book Brothers Dog. The book, which features animals affected by the disaster, was donated to 400 elementary schools across Okayama Prefecture.
In 2023, the song “Good Morning: The Heart Goes from Rain to Sunshine” was also created based on the book.
Picture books and songs are familiar to children growing up in the years ahead. Having books and songs that children can relate to is an important way to prevent the events of a disaster from fading from memory.
I read the book during a break in the lecture. Its illustrations have a gentle style, but as I read on, the book conveyed the real conditions during the disaster.
From the Writer
Everyone was captivated by the charms of Okayama as Endo shared them in sign language herself.
After the lecture, many people shared comments such as, “I was so happy that she spoke in sign language herself,” and “Because she thought about sign language expressions that matched the Japanese she wanted to convey, I understood what the speaker really wanted to say.”
Kurashiki City’s Sign Language Ordinance (2021) and Okayama Prefecture’s Ordinance on Promoting the Use of Sign Language and Communication Methods Suited to the Characteristics of Hearing Disabilities, Visual Disabilities, and Other Disabilities (2023) have come into effect.
I hope that opportunities will continue to increase for people with disabilities to take part in lifelong learning with ease.
“Let’s Grow to Love Okayama Even More” Lecture for People with Hearing Impairments Information
| Name | Lecture for People with Hearing Impairments: “Let’s Grow to Love Okayama Even More” |
|---|---|
| Date | December 9, 2023, 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. |
| Location | 2-13-1 Minamigata, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission (tax included) | Free |
| Website | Kirameki Plaza |
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