About us

Accessible Activities

In the Japanese Red Cross Language Service Volunteers, we carry out "Accessible Activities".

These activities are a long-term effort spanning 40 years in 2017 (please see "History"). This site provides information to help people with disabilities even a little when visiting Japan. You can easily find sightseeing spots you want to know, categorized according to purpose or region. In the description of each facilities, we also describe the wheelchair correspondence of the nearest station, so please refer to it before visiting.

In other blogs, we introduce in detail the various sightseeing spots visited and investigated, so please refer to it.

* If you notice something in the content of the post, please contact us from the inquiry form

* The Japanese Red Cross Language Service Volunteers supports people with disabilities visiting Japan. Please contact us directly.

Hisotry

First edition

  • B4 size (written in English) 81 pages.
    Printing plate made by typewriter.
  • «Compilation by purpose»
    Stay, Watch, Buy, Eat, Information, Restroom.
  • Publication of this brochure became the starting point of Accessible Activities.
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1985 version

  • B5 size (written in English) 235 pages.
    Printing plate made by typewriter.
  • «Compilation by area»
    Area guide, Transportation, Information.
  • The first version published by The Japanese Red Cross Language Service Volunteers.
    Organization of information after a two year survey, trial and error over the editorial policy, typing for art work, illustrations, cover design were all made by our editorial members.

1992 version

  • A5 size (written in English) 208 pages.
    Computerized composition (A Mac PC was donated by Apple Inc.).
    Database software was introduced to organize the information.
  • «Compilation by facility»
    Hotels, Department stores, Theaters, Art museums, Stations, Area guide, Transportation guide.
  • The first version published by computerized information arrangement and composition.
    Accessibility information was shown in chart style (including detailed explanation pages of hotels).

1995 version

  • A5 size (written in both English and Japanese) 286 pages, 2nd edition.
  • «Compilation by facility»
    Hotels, Shopping, Art museums, Halls, Parks, Area guide (stations, towns, tourist spots, stores and restrooms).
  • The first version written in both English and Japanese so people with disabilities in Japan could also utilize. The logo was designed by a illustrator who had a relation to our members.

1998 Publishing the website

  • As the Nagano Paralympics took place in 1998, accessibility information by Accessible Tokyo was published on the website of IBM Japan, Ltd.

2000 version

  • A5 size (written in both English and Japanese) 312 pages. The index was printed in color (printing consigned to the Japanese Red Cross Society).
  • «Compilation by facility»
    Hotels, Commercial districts, Art museums, Theaters, Parks, Area guide (stations, towns, tourist spots, stores and restrooms).
  • 15 hotels recommended by the editorial members were listed in a single page.
    Using gloss coated paper contributed to a high quality look but the brochure was heavy.

2002 Posting the information of Kyoto on our website

  • IBM Japan, Ltd. which supported our publication on the website also assisted us to do a three day survey in Kyoto. Thanks to the donation of Windows PCs and the website building software, we were able to release the result of the Kyoto survey. At the same time, The Japanese Red Cross Language Service Volunteers started to administer the website.

2003 Posting the information of Kamakura on our website

  • After the release of the Kyoto version, a Kamakura version was also published.

2005 version

  • A5 size (in both English and Japanese) 196 pages.
    Entrusting the printing plate making and printing to Suda Seihan Co., Ltd.
  • «Compilation by area»
    Information, Area guide (stations, hotels, department stores, art museums, theaters and parks)
  • The numbers of pages were significantly reduced and the matt coated paper made the brochure lighter.

2014 Renewal of our website

  • The outdated website was renovated to respond to smart phones, and the English version was released in 2015.

The Japanese Red Cross Language Service Volunteers

The Japanese Red Cross Language Service Volunteers (LSV), founded in 1965, was based on a volunteer interpretation services group for the Tokyo Paralympics held in 1964. LSV is positioned as a specialized volunteer corps under the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS). LSV marks its 50th anniversary in 2015.

  • Organization
    Membership: Approximately 200
    Member compositions: All ages in various fields and occupations including students and retirees.
  • Main Activities
    • General assistance for JRCS activities
    • Assistance in planning, translation and interpretation services for international exchange projects conducted by JRCS
    • Translation of JRCS documents including instruction manuals on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, disaster relief, dissemination of the Red Cross principles and introductions of IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent) Societies activities
    • Interpretation and translation services for events and projects hosted by social welfare organizations
    • Guide services for foreign visitors with disabilities
    • Managing the guide website, "Accessible Tokyo" for people with disabilities

Members

東京に住んでいても知らないこと、見落としていることをアクセシブルの活動を通して発見しています。そんな再発見もお伝えできればと思います。
Maki
アクセシブル活動歴早15年。良きメンバーに支えられ、ボランティア活動を楽しみながらコーディネーターをしています。
J.J.
学生のころ語学奉仕団に参加してアクセシブルの活動を開始しました、最近は年のため行動力が落ちていますがメンバーの皆さんに支えられてがんばっています。
MASA
6年前の入団時にアクセシブルの本を見たのがきっかけで、この活動に参加しました。経験豊かな先輩方に教えて頂きながら、がんばっています。
YOKO
若いメンバーにエネルギーを分けてもらいつつ、精神年齢はあくまでも若く東京再発見を楽しみながら活動しています。
ALFA
高校生から赤十字ボランティアの活動をしています。趣味は、旅行とぶらり旅。ユニークな人柄とアイデアを生かしながら、アクセシブル活動に貢献しています。
YUMA
車いすでの東京街歩きを意識すると気が付くことが色々あります。そうしたことをアクセシブルを通して、少しでも役に立てるように発信できればという思いで活動に参加しています。
Meili
車いすユーザーです。メンバーの皆さんに助けていただきながらアクセシブルの活動を楽しんでいます。車いすの視点から調査や翻訳のお手伝いができればと思います。
YUKORIN
横浜エリア各施設の皆さまからご協力をいただいて情報をお伝えしています。
AS
アクセシブルの活動は5年目、知らない日本を知り、さらに日本が大好きになりました。神社巡りとアニメが大好きです。
Rachel
語学奉仕団に入団以来ずっと10年以上アクセシブルの活動を続けています。建築物を見て回ることを楽しみにしています。
YOSAKU
昨年からメンバーの皆さんに色々お教え頂きながら、楽しく活動しています。横浜エリアの情報発信に少しでも貢献できればと思います。
emi
2016年度入団のHIYOKOです。外出は好きなのですが、まだまだ東京は知らないところがいっぱいあります。東京の魅力発見と情報発信をしていきます。
HIYOKO
普段は武蔵野赤十字病院でボランティアをしています。その他、都防災ボランティア、スポーツボランティア、大学ボランティア等に参加しています。
Yasuda
街歩きが大好きな不良中年です。自分も楽しみながら、みなさんと一緒に東京の名所をご紹介していきたいと思っています。
Yama-chan