Since 2015, the University Consortium Kyoto (hereinafter referred to as the “Foundation”) has established designated research topics and conducted research by researchers in specialized fields with the aim of contributing to the review and improvement of the Foundation’s projects, new development and advancement, and the provision of information to the Foundation’s member universities.

In fiscal 2016, the research group of Associate Professor Satoshi Yoshida of the Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University (Kyoto University, Doshisha University, and Kyoto Sangyo University) conducted research on the following topics twice a month under the theme of “Establishment of a Database of Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodations for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities at Universities: Toward the Establishment of a Collaborative Organization for the Office of Support for Students with Disabilities.” (Click here for details of the 2016 Foundation-designated research project)

“At the 9/21 workshop” From the back left, Mr. Mr./Ms. Inoue of Kyoto Sangyo University, Prof. Yoshida, Representative Prof. Sekine of Doshisha University Front left from Mr./Ms. Tsuchihashi of Doshisha University, research collaborator Mr./Ms. Yamamoto, Prof. Iwakuma of Kyoto University (Prof. Murata of Kyoto University is also participating as a member of the study group)

1. Creation of a database of how students with disabilities access university facilities

We have built a system that can easily investigate information on access and barriers in lecture halls and common areas of school buildings, and can display a list of them using icons. On September 12, we conducted a survey on access and barriers at a total of more than 300 locations, including lecture rooms in six buildings and nine buildings used for university-wide courses at Kyoto University, as well as common areas in the school building. We are planning to conduct a survey at Doshisha University from October.

2. “Visualization” of the know-how of the Support Office for Students with Disabilities

According to the coordinator, who has been in charge of support for students with disabilities since the establishment of the Support Office, it was found that the skills behind the work, such as “methods for understanding and enlightening related faculty and staff across departments” and “reconstruction of support based on failures,” are the key points of support for students with disabilities. Therefore, we are aiming to organize the essential tasks of the coordinator and the annual work from the establishment of the support office to the establishment of the support office, and to visualize the tacit knowledge that is the key point.

3. Collection and database of building renovation cases to support students with disabilities

From the discussions of the study group, we came to understand that it would be more effective to record the process of involvement in the renovation rather than showing many examples of building renovation to Mr./Ms.. Therefore, the key to how to get involved in the renovation work of the relevant departments
1) Support from the design stage before renovation
2) Support at the last stage of construction
3) Support for renovation immediately after completion of construction
Based on these examples, we decided to present important points. In 3), the details of the barrier-free renovation (installation of a ramp) at Kyoto University were examined and implemented by students using wheelchairs, student support coordinators for students with disabilities, facility staff, and academic affairs personnel.

4. Exploratory qualitative research on the structuring of support know-how of support coordinators for students with disabilities and the perspectives of students with disabilities regarding support

Coordinators’ interviews with students with disabilities will be investigated through ethnography and conversation research, and support skills will be structured. In addition, Doshisha University and Kyoto University have started a research project to exploratory interviews with students with disabilities about their needs for support and their perspectives on support (approved by the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine).

The following is an example of a survey conducted on September 12 at the Yoshida Minami Campus of Kyoto University related to “1 Creation of a database of how students with disabilities access university facilities.” With the cooperation of students from Kyoto University, we conducted a survey on the accessibility of buildings.

We plan to proceed with the above research by the results report meeting in March. Please look forward to the progress of future research and research.

Contact us

University Consortium Kyoto Designated Research Projects
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〒600-8216 Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Nishitoin-dori, Shiokoji, Shimo-ku, Kyoto, Campus Plaza Kyoto
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