Descriptions:
A lesson was held at the Rakuten Miyagi Mobile Park in Sendai’s Miyagino Ward to help children deepen their understanding of barrier-free. The children rode in wheelchairs and learned how the stadium is made barrier-free. Mobile Park Rakuten Miyagi received an award from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for its efforts to create a baseball stadium that respects people with disabilities and the elderly. On the 25th, 72 fourth graders from nearby Haramachi Elementary School participated and learned about the stadium’s barrier-free accessibility while actually using wheelchairs. The wheelchair viewing area has been refurbished several times, taking into account the views of local disability groups regarding seat height and safety. On the other hand, the children learned from their own experience that even a small step can be uncomfortable. Children: “I realized that it must be difficult for people in wheelchairs.” “I thought it would be fun to experience it, but I realized it would be difficult to do it over and over again.” When I see, I will be brave enough to help.” “I thought if there were a lot of these places without barriers, people in wheelchairs would feel comfortable using them.”