Traveling in Japan over New Years can be exciting… and horrible. The New Years holiday in Japan is similar to Christmas in the West – a time of visiting family and resting from work. However, transportation overcrowding and holiday closures of shops and restaurants can be a headache, especially for disabled travelers. Read more…
By Frank Mondelli Garbled voices over loudspeakers, screens that don’t show last-minute schedule changes, crowded environments where it’s hard to see important – oftentimes, D/deaf and hearing-impaired persons are no strangers to travel complications, especially one what tend to be multi-step journeys like going to Japan. As organizations in Japan Read more…
By Justin Schroth If you find yourself wandering just east of Osaka, you may find yourself in Nara, one of many cities surrounded by traditional cultural experiences. Over a thousand years ago this city was once the Capital of Japan (from 710 to 794) and all in it was considered Read more…
By Mark Bookman As a wheelchair user, I try my best to anticipate barriers to accessibility before traveling abroad. In practical terms, this means researching my destination ahead of time to discern if there are any stairs, closed-off spaces, or potential pitfalls (either literal or metaphorical). Despite my best efforts, Read more…
By Alexa Fukuoka When you decide to move abroad, it will obviously require you to make some adjustments. Dealing with a new culture, new social norms, even new food can make every day a bit more stressful (and exciting) than if you had stayed put. Slap a disability on top Read more…
(And other complex situations I’ve found while being visually impaired in Japan) By Alexa Fukuoka When I was in my early 20’s, I learned that I have a rare and aggressive form of Lattice Degeneration. Basically, that means my retinas are really weak and prone to detaching. After four surgeries, Read more…