Just as hearing people communicate through voice, people with hearing disabilities communicate using sign language.
However, most promotional materials for general lectures do not mention the presence or absence of information support (※).
As a result, even if there is a lecture one wants to attend, it is necessary to confirm in advance whether a sign language interpreter will be provided, and in some cases, one may have to request an interpreter at their own expense. This is cumbersome, making it difficult to casually attend lectures or events.
In light of these challenges, the Okayama Prefectural Center for the Hearing Impaired holds courses for people with hearing disabilities aimed at improving their cultural life and promoting social participation.
"Information support" refers to efforts to convey surrounding sound information to people who cannot hear using sign language or text, or conversely, to convert spoken statements into voice using sign language or text, ensuring equal participation of all people present in the "space".
Japan Student Services Organization: 3. Hearing Impairment (1) What is Hearing Impairment
This is the only center in the prefecture that provides information to people with hearing disabilities living in Okayama Prefecture, and I have also registered to use their services, including dispatching sign language interpreters.
Thinking that "if it's a course for people with hearing disabilities, I might enjoy learning," I decided to participate.
This time, I will report what I learned in sign language using written Japanese (written language).
Course for People with Hearing Disabilities "Let's Love Okayama"
"Let's Love Okayama More" was held on December 9, 2023 (Saturday) at the Okayama Prefectural Center for the Hearing Impaired located on the 4th floor of Kirameki Plaza in Okayama City.
The speaker is Hiroko Endo, a former announcer for Sanyo Broadcasting (RSK) and currently a freelance announcer.
Ms. Endo is also active as a registered sign language interpreter in Okayama Prefecture.
A Venue Full of Sign Language
The Okayama Prefectural Center for the Hearing Impaired is located on the 4th floor of Kirameki Plaza in Okayama City.
Kirameki Plaza is a comprehensive welfare facility where organizations operated by the prefecture, such as the Okayama Prefectural Center for the Hearing Impaired, collaborate with welfare organizations like the Okayama Prefectural Association for the Hearing Impaired and the Okayama Prefectural Association for the Hard of Hearing to promote community welfare.
This course is organized by the Okayama City Association for the Hearing Impaired, and 90% of the participants were people with hearing disabilities.
As soon as the venue opened, participants entered, and the room quickly filled with sign language.
I usually communicate with hearing people using voice, but I often feel anxious about whether they can hear me. In contrast, sign language allows for visual understanding of the conversation, making it a reassuring method of communication.
The people with hearing disabilities gathered at the venue also live surrounded by hearing people. Therefore, a place where they can gather with peers and communicate freely in sign language, like this venue, is a valuable existence.
A Course Where the Speaker Talks in Sign Language
"Today, I did not request a sign language interpreter. For me, conveying my story in sign language has been a long-held dream. Please allow me to fulfill that dream today."
When Ms. Endo began to speak, all the participants' eyes widened.
Surprise might not be the right word; perhaps joy and relief are more fitting.
Even though it is called a "course for people with hearing disabilities," it is common for a hearing speaker to have a sign language interpreter standing next to them to interpret the voice into sign language.
However, since sign language and Japanese are different languages, subtle nuances may not be conveyed, and due to simultaneous interpretation, not all audio information can be interpreted, leading to omissions in the conversation.
But this day was different.
The speaker weaved her story with her own hands. Therefore, we could fully understand the words she wanted to convey in our own language.
The expressions of the participants brightened, and everyone waved their hands above their heads.
This is a sign language applause. It warmed our hearts to know that she prepared a talk for us.
Trivia to Love Okayama Even More
Ms. Endo, who is usually active as a current announcer in various places in Okayama Prefecture, shared trivia that only she knows to help us "love Okayama even more."
The Birthplace of Kinoshita Circus is Okayama Prefecture
Do you know Kinoshita Circus?
It is a Japanese circus known for its acrobatic performances and white tiger shows.
I also remember being excited by the stunning performances when I watched it with my grandfather as a child.
Surprisingly, Kinoshita Circus is counted among the three major circuses in the world.
The birthplace of the representative Japanese Kinoshita Circus is said to be Okayama Prefecture. How proud!
Ms. Endo mentioned that she once tried trapeze during an interview and learned about the history of Kinoshita Circus. She laughed as she recounted how scary it was at a height of 13 meters and a width of 20 meters.
Buildings in Okayama Korakuen Can Be Rented
Okayama Korakuen, one of Japan's three famous gardens, has been visited by many tourists from both Japan and abroad since it was created in the Edo period.
Within the garden, there are several buildings where visitors can enjoy the scenery of the Japanese garden.
I thought that all of these historically valuable buildings could only be viewed as part of the garden's scenery.
However, it seems that some of these buildings are available for rent.
Moreover, the facility usage fee starts at 900 yen for three hours (the fee varies by building).
Being able to entertain friends from outside the prefecture or visitors from abroad at Okayama Korakuen is quite stylish, don't you think?
Picture Book "Brothers Dog" Telling the Story of the July 2018 Heavy Rain Disaster
Additionally, while working as an announcer and sign language interpreter, Ms. Endo is also active in the reading group "Ohanashi no WA♪".
Formed in response to the support for recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred in 2011, "Ohanashi no WA♪" produced the picture book "Brothers Dog." This picture book, featuring animals affected by the disaster, has been donated to 400 elementary schools in Okayama Prefecture.
In 2023, a song titled "Ohayo - Kokoro wa Ame nochi Hare" was also born from this picture book.
Picture books and songs are familiar to children who will live in the coming era. Having accessible picture books and songs for these children is an important effort to prevent the events of disasters from fading away.
I also read it during the break of the lecture. The illustrations have a soft touch, but as I progressed through the pages, the real situation during the disaster was conveyed through the picture book.
Conclusion
Participants were captivated by the charm of Okayama conveyed through Ms. Endo's sign language.
After the lecture, many comments were received, such as "I was very happy that she spoke in her own sign language" and "I understood what the speaker really wanted to convey because she thought about sign language expressions that matched the Japanese words I wanted to express."
In Kurashiki City, the Sign Language Ordinance (2021) has been enacted, and in Okayama Prefecture, the Okayama Prefecture Ordinance on the Promotion of Sign Language and Communication Methods Appropriate to the Characteristics of Hearing Impairments, Visual Impairments, and Other Disabilities (2023) has been enacted.
I hope that opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in lifelong learning will continue to increase.
Data for the course "Let's Love Okayama More" for the Hearing Impaired
| Name | Course "Let's Love Okayama More" for the Hearing Impaired |
|---|---|
| Date | December 9, 2023, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
| Location | 2-13-1 Minamigata, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
| Homepage | Kirameki Plaza |
