U Tokyo Liberal Arts Program

What is "disability"? In common parlance, it means that for some reason various functions of one's body do not work normally, but is this an objective, static, absolute concept?

For example, if someone is nearsighted and finds it hard to see distant objects, we do not call that person "disabled" as long as she/he can correct her/his eyesight with glasses. Why is this the case? Disability Studies is an academic discipline that tackles such questions.

Disability Studies is an ideological practice as well as an intellectual exercise that posits disability as an analytical perspective. It is an academic discipline that captures and sheds light to disabilities and persons who have them from a new viewpoint that differs from those traditionally held by Medicine and Rehabilitation Studies.

"Disability" is an artificial concept. It is a concept determined by a society at a point in time with specific purpose(s) in mind. In other words, disability is not something statically substantive; rather, it is essentially a state, situation, relationship itself that is "constructed" and "reproduced" by the society. In this way, we can see various themes that need to be explored.

With this background, in this lecture we will think about two aspects: "ability" and "culture." We will begin with the state of being "deafblind," a state I am experiencing myself.

First, the students will have a "deafblid simulation experience" and think about disabilities concerning sensory functions of seeing and hearing and support by others as a supplementary activity. That will help them see firsthand that ability does not end within oneself.

Furthermore, by grasping the potentials sensory disabilities hold for connecting with a new world of communication, we will think about the aspect of a "unique culture" hidden in disabilities.