{"id":8659,"date":"2015-10-19T22:52:00","date_gmt":"2015-10-20T02:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/moonrider7.com\/en\/?p=8659"},"modified":"2016-03-29T15:46:11","modified_gmt":"2016-03-29T19:46:11","slug":"the-reasons-why-i-a-wheelchair-user-love-the-life-in-the-u-s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moonrider7.com\/en\/2015\/10\/19\/the-reasons-why-i-a-wheelchair-user-love-the-life-in-the-u-s\/","title":{"rendered":"The Reasons Why I, A Wheelchair User, Love The Life in The U.S."},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
Hello, it’s Mizuki!<\/div>\n

I have started writing a column for Base inc since this summer. My latest article is released and I want to introduce in English:)<\/p>\n

Here is the original version in Japanese.
http:\/\/www.thebase.co.jp\/blog\/diversity\/gifted\/1916\/<\/p>\n

*** Updated on March 29, 2016 ***<\/p>\n

“Base inc” will be close by the end of March 2016.<\/p>\n

If you want to read the original article in Japanese, please click here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

**********************************<\/p>\n

\n
The Reasons Why I, A Wheelchair User, Love The Life in The U.S.<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

Hi, it\u2019s Mizuki!<\/span><\/p>\n

I have moved to Syracuse in New York in the US. <\/span><\/p>\n

I am working on a research of employment systems for people with disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Actually this is my second time to live in the US. <\/span><\/p>\n

I came here 8 years ago, in 2007. <\/span><\/p>\n

I transferred to University of Wisconsin and spent 2 years to pursue my bachelor\u2019s degree. <\/span><\/p>\n

The reason why I decided to study abroad was that I thought \u201cforeign countries would have better accessible environments for wheelchair user than Japan does.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

I found it my thought was absolutely right once I arrived at the US. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I would like to share the main reasons why I love the life in the US as a wheelchair user.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

1.\u00a0Public Restroom Accessibility<\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
\n

In Japan, there is a type of restroom called \u201cmultiple-purpose bathroom\u201d which have a big space with many functions and can be used not only by wheelchair users, but also parent(s) with baby, elder people, and ostomates etc. <\/span><\/p>\n

A multiple-purpose restroom is usually open to all genders. <\/span><\/p>\n

Some people appreciate this because they need a support from an opposite sex person (ex. family members) or they are LGBT.<\/span><\/p>\n

However I feel unconformable to use a restroom that is also used by\u00a0male users. <\/span><\/p>\n

Another issue is that the number of multiple-purpose restroom is limited in many places. <\/span><\/p>\n

On top of that, since many people can use it at anytime, I often have to wait in a line even when I need to use it urgently. <\/span><\/p>\n

In the end, my kidney is damaged by holding urine for too long many times.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the US, a regular restroom is usually big enough to accommodate me and my wheelchair. <\/span><\/p>\n

Even small cafes and clubs have those large restrooms. I don\u2019t need to worry about finding a restroom anywhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also find a separated big restroom like the Japanese multiple-purpose restroom in a shopping mall or airport etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Entrance Accessibility<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

There are many attractive stores and restaurants in Japan. <\/span><\/p>\n

However I often give up on visiting them when I find stairs and steps in front of their entrances. <\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t want to bother my family or friends as well as the staffs at the store.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

If I really want to go, I always check and call them and ask if it\u2019s wheelchair accessible beforehand. <\/span><\/p>\n

I can do that, but it takes time and it is troublesome.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the US, many stores and restaurants are built with wheelchair accessibility. <\/span><\/p>\n

Even if there are only stairs at the front entrance, there should be a ramp in the back door or somewhere. <\/span><\/p>\n

I never need to check the accessibility in advance when I live in the US.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. People Don\u2019t Stare at Me<\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

When I live in Japan, people stare at me especially children and elder people. <\/span><\/p>\n

Children stare at me because they have never seen person in wheelchair before in their lives. <\/span><\/p>\n

Elder people do it because they barely see wheelchair users going on the street in the old days in Japan. <\/span><\/p>\n

Well, I\u2019m very used to those attention on me since I\u2019m in wheelchair for long time, but it is never comfortable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n


\u00a0In the US, I have never been stared at like that both in urban and rural areas. <\/span><\/p>\n

It is because people often\u00a0 see wheelchair users in daily life. <\/span><\/p>\n

You can see a wheelchair user in general American dramas, movies, and animations etc. <\/span><\/p>\n

Japanese shows do adopt wheelchair characters\u00a0 too, but in many cases, the main topic is \u201cthe life of wheelchair user\u201d or actor\/actress appear as patient in wheelchair at hospital.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

For wheelchair users, living in the US is more comfortable than living in Japan not only because of tangible perspectives but also intangible ones. <\/span><\/p>\n

One of the laws that related to this accessible environment is \u201cADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

It is established in 1990. <\/span><\/p>\n

It is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability and requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities, and imposes accessibility requirements on public accommodations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, it doesn\u2019t mean the environment of the US is perfect for \u201call\u201d wheelchair users. <\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a different perspective, Japan has its strengths. <\/span><\/p>\n

For example, excellent quality of customer service. <\/span><\/p>\n

The sprit of \u201cOmotenashi (means \u2018to entertain guests wholeheartedly\u2019)\u201d used in the presentation of bidding to host Tokyo Olympic\/Paralympic in 2020. <\/span><\/p>\n

The polite and delicate customer service is the world top class, I believe. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sometime customer service for wheelchair user may be too much, but it\u2019s because Japanese people treasure their customers including wheelchair users.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In my life in the US, I would like to see the \u201cpresent\u201d of the US. <\/span><\/p>\n

I want to learn the\u00a0 good points as well as the issues that needs to be solved. <\/span><\/p>\n

I want to become a person who can stimulate and give a positive change to Japanese society. <\/span><\/p>\n

That is my goal. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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