Activity report
December 18, 2025
We held a "Study Session on Disabilities (Wheelchair Experience)".
On December 18th, we held a study session on disabilities (including a wheelchair experience), with guidance from Associate Professor Fumiyoshi Osawa of the Department of Regional Community Studies at our university.
At the Health and Welfare Practice Room on Itsutsubashi Campus (10th floor of the Schneider Memorial Hall), Professor Osawa gave a lecture on how to use wheelchairs and precautions for both the person using and pushing them. During the lecture, we practiced how to handle the wheelchairs, and then we actually used wheelchairs to travel around the campus, from Itsutsubashi Campus to Tsuchitoi Campus, and around the Aramachi area. We also participated in an elderly simulation experience, where we walked while wearing glasses that narrowed our field of vision, gloves that made it difficult to grasp objects, supporters that restricted joint movement, heavy shoes that made us prone to tripping, and a weighted vest.
Participants shared their impressions of being in a wheelchair, such as, "It was my first time seeing things from a wheelchair's perspective, so I was surprised at how different things looked from what I'm used to," "When I went to a convenience store in a wheelchair, I realized how inconvenient it is to not be able to reach the shelves above and below or the icebox," "I felt that the signal times at pedestrian crossings are short, and it's difficult to do so alone," and "I felt that the narrowness of the roads and the volume of traffic were dangerous. I thought it would be especially dangerous if you're using a self-propelled wheelchair or if you're pressed for time, such as when moving between classes." In addition to these impressions from being in a wheelchair, participants also shared their thoughts on pushing wheelchairs, saying, "The experience of pushing a wheelchair was particularly memorable. I understood very well how difficult it is to cross narrow sidewalks and long pedestrian crossings," and "After pushing a wheelchair, I realized how difficult it is to travel from Itsutsubashi to Tsuchitoi." Furthermore, during the elderly simulation, participants commented: "I hadn't noticed before, but the traffic lights change so quickly that I think it must be difficult for the elderly. Even if you start crossing as soon as the light turns green, it starts flashing before you've finished crossing, making you feel anxious and apologetic to the drivers. I think this anxiety could lead to falls, so I think it would be better if there was a little more time to spare." "Experiencing physical and visual impairments, I realized that not only is there physical pain, but there is also significant mental distress." "I was surprised at how narrow the field of vision is for people with visual impairments." By putting themselves in the shoes of people with disabilities, everyone gained insights not only into physical limitations but also into mental aspects and the problems of the surrounding environment.
The aisles are narrow. Moving around in a wheelchair would be very difficult during break times due to the crowds.
Experiencing what it's like to be elderly. I couldn't walk fast, my field of vision was narrow, and I was scared to walk without a chaperone.
December 8, 2025
The Chill Spot Map (Itsutsubashi Campus) is complete! It's now posted on our website.
"Wouldn't it be nice to have a place where you can be alone during your free time? Where are there such places?" With this question in mind, we conducted a survey among our students (in this case, Itsutsubashi Campus) to find places on campus where they can relax alone or feel comfortable, and created a chill spot map.
We created a survey using Google Forms and made a poster, which was then displayed on campus.
We identified the locations from the collected data, took photos, and edited them.
Chill Spot Map (PDF)
September 17, 2025, November 26, 2025
We put up posters for the external counseling service, "TGU Kokoro no Support 24".
Our university has launched "TGU Kokoro no Support 24," an external counseling service that students can use anytime, even when the student counseling center is closed. We have posted information about it on our website, but awareness is still low, so we have put up posters in the restrooms on campus to help students find out more.
Laminating printed posters. We encountered a problem where the machine overheated and the posters stuck together after continuous use, making the process take longer than expected.
We put up posters in the handwashing areas of the restrooms on campus. Because the project at Tsuchitoi campus was quite large, we received cooperation from the university's facilities department and TG Support Co., Ltd., and worked together on the project.
*Please see "TGU Kokoro no Support 24" here.
On September 17, 2025, we held a study session on disabilities (visual impairment) – deepening understanding of disabilities through discussions with visually impaired students.
On September 17th, we held a study session on disabilities (focusing on visual impairment) – deepening understanding of disabilities through discussions with visually impaired students – in the conference room on the 2nd floor of the lecture building Itsutsubashi Campus. The session was held in a relaxed atmosphere, in the form of a tea party with visually impaired students enrolled at our university and their supporters.
Participants commented, "I realized that there are true needs that can only be understood by listening directly, and I recognized the importance of opportunities to actually listen to people's stories." "I was hesitant to offer help because I was worried that I might be a nuisance, but from now on I will try to take action." "It was the first time I heard specific stories about sports and Braille, so it was very educational. When I offer help or speak to people, I will be careful not to pull their hands or grab both of their hands, but to let them grab my arm instead." "I had some knowledge, but I was able to gain new knowledge about considerations and Braille." The visually impaired student who spoke also commented, "It was very refreshing to hear frank questions from sighted people."
On January 31, 2025, we held a study session titled "Let's Learn About Hearing Impairment - Sendai City Disability Awareness Supporter Training."
On January Itsutsubashi, a study session for TG Student Health Supporters titled "Let's Learn About Hearing Impairment ~Training for Sendai City Disability Awareness Supporters~" (organized by the Student Health Support Center, in cooperation with the Sendai City Social Welfare Council and the Sendai City Association for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities) was held at Itsutsubashi Campus in the Educational Experiment and Practice Room on the 11th floor of the Schneider Memorial Hall. In addition to the supporters, students from the university who are interested in disability welfare also participated. They received lectures on the Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and the Sendai City Ordinance on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, as well as sign language experience training, from an instructor who is himself hearing impaired. Certificates of completion were issued to the TG Student Health Supporters (group) from Sendai City, and participants received certificates of completion (supporter cards).
Participants commented, "Listening to the voices of people with disabilities made me want to be a little more courageous in communicating with them," and "It gave me a reason to want to learn more about ways to support them," making it a valuable opportunity to deepen understanding of disabilities.
