Academy" was held (11/11).

Academy" was held at the Ichigaya Volunteer Center. Academy" is a training program conducted by the Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center, in which participants learn about disabilities and the Paralympics from Para athletes and think about a symbiotic society and a better society. This time, Mr. Makoto Majima, an active Para powerlifter, took the podium as a lecturer.

Mr. Majima became a wheelchair user due to an accident while working part-time as a university student, and won a silver medal in Para ice hockey at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics.

The lecture was based on Mr. Majima's real-life experiences as a wheelchair user and his struggles as an athlete, and the experience of working with visually impaired and hearing impaired people was simulated. The discussion was based on the daily life situations. In the discussion, students actively exchanged opinions on issues that they could imagine in their daily lives. At the end of the training, the students discussed the title of the training program, "Asuchare! which is also the title of the training program, and each student thought about "What will I challenge from tomorrow? The session ended with each student expressing his or her determination to take on a new challenge. It was a valuable opportunity for the students to hear real stories of people with disabilities that they would not normally be able to hear, and to ask questions, and it was impressive to see them actively participating in the training. The Ichigaya Volunteer Center will continue to offer programs to help people with disabilities understand and live together in harmony.

Number of student participants: 24

Impressions of participating students

When I experienced a simulated situation of being in a train station with a visual impairment, I felt relieved when I was guided or approached in this way, and anxious when I was told to do the opposite. I felt that it was important to take a fresh look at things from the viewpoint of the people involved, and to apply what I felt to subsequent communication. There were also many memorable words such as "face to face," and I feel that my participation in this lecture has made me feel more positive. Thank you very much for giving me such a valuable opportunity today. (20s male)

I felt that the attitude of trying to do one's best in what one can do, rather than counting what one cannot do, is something everyone should aim for, regardless of disability. What particularly surprised me during the lecture was the story about disinfectant. I had thought that the foot-press type was very innovative and good because the liquid could be disinfected without any contact. However, I realized for the first time that they are difficult to use for people who have difficulty pushing with their feet, such as those in wheelchairs or on crutches. I felt that we should not think of barrier-free as something that is easy for me to use, but rather we should also consider people in other positions. (Teenage female)