JCSW President Shigehiro Takahashi

(This article based on an original story by Yoshinori Ishii which was translated by David Tharp)

A project to improve higher educational opportunities and environment for deaf people has been launched by the Japan College of Social Work (JCSW) and The Nippon Foundation.

The name of the program is the “Hearing-disabled Student Support Project.” From this year, the project will facilitate the placement of deaf students in regular universities, as well as the provision of expert academic coaching at JCSW’s campuses.

JCSW President Shigehiro Takahashi and project director Professor Kurumi Saito (JCSW) paid a call on Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, on 28 July to discuss final details of the agreement.

JCSW Professor Kurumi Saito

Sasakawa emphasized the point that he expected JCSW to take the initiative in placing deaf students in schools where they can study in a high-level educational environment.

The 3 pillars of the project are: 1) to provide hearing-impaired students enrolled in a university with sign language translators and downloadable lecture notes, 2) to support a liberal arts curriculum at JCSW’s Bunkyo campus that can be undertaken through Japanese sign language, and 3) to provide deaf high school students with classes that provide them with the necessary preparation to take university entrance exams.

The percentage of deaf high school graduates who enter university is a low 16% compared to a 50% rate for ordinary high school graduates. In addition, even if students do enter university, it is difficult for them to follow class content at the same level as other students, and the universities provide little support for them to keep up with their classes.

JCSW's objective with this project is to overcome these hurdles.

President Takahashi, Professor Saito, and Chairman Sasakawa exchange opinions about project

Presently, 16 deaf students enrolled in various universities are attending academic coaching classes at JCSW’s Myogadani campus in Tokyo. These classes are being taught in sign language by well known deaf teachers, all of whom have well educated at regular universities.

President Takahshi says the Myogadani campus is close to Tokyo Station so it is convenient for deaf students who need to commute to classes, making it easier for them to concentrate. Professor Saito emphasized too that all the deaf teachers are charismatic people who create an ideal atmosphere that appeals to students’ desire to learn in the classroom.

A deaf instructor teaching a class to deaf university students

Classes at these campuses are held in the evenings and on Saturdays, allowing students to attend easily. They also receive credits from these classes towards their regular university degree programs.

University entrance exam preparation classes for deaf high school students are also held on a regular basis every week in Tokyo under the direction of JCSW.

At the meeting with Takahashi and Saito, Chairman Sasakawa said he wants the deaf students to receive the highest possible intellectual training through the three-pillar JCSW project. He also emphasized the need to improve the social status of deaf persons. He promised his continued support to these programs.