Exploring the Lives of the Deafblind: A Unique Day of Experience and Understanding

On February 11, 2025, the Tokyo Deafblind Association hosted the Deafblind Communication Campus event at the Ushigome Tansu Community Hall and the Tokyo Deafblind Support Center. The objective of this event was to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals who are deafblind—those who possess both vision and hearing impairments. This engaging event aimed to spark interest in supporting the deafblind community, particularly among younger generations and the general public.

With around 300 participants in attendance, including 40 university students, the day was marked by remarkable enthusiasm. The event featured film screenings and a lecture by Tomo Fukushima, a renowned expert in deafblind communication. The auditorium, buzzing with excitement, showcased a film based on Fukushima's life as the first permanent faculty member who is deafblind in the world. This powerful narrative, titled 'Sakura-iro no Kaze ga Saku' (The Cherry Blossom Breeze Blooms), captivated more than 180 attendees, drawing them into the story of hope shared between a deafblind son and his mother amid darkness and silence.

Purpose and Background of the Event

Deafblind individuals encounter significant challenges in obtaining information, communicating, and moving freely, making the roles of interpreters and caregivers essential for their independence and social participation. However, a concerning shortage of young supporters has emerged in recent years, prompting the need for initiatives like the Deafblind Communication Campus. The event aimed to introduce attendees to the deafblind community through diverse activities, ultimately fostering a commitment to support these individuals within society.

Highlights of the Day

A Venue: Ushigome Tansu Community Hall

In the morning, the auditorium welcomed participants for a film screening followed by a lecture by Tomo Fukushima himself. Attendees listened intensely as Fukushima shared his personal journey, emphasizing the importance of communication interspersed with humor. A compelling Q&A session ensued, where numerous questions were submitted via a web form, reflecting the keen interest of the audience.

B Venue: Tokyo Deafblind Support Center

The second venue offered a hands-on experience where participants engaged in 'blind and deaf simulation' and various mini-seminars focusing on topics such as education for deafblind children and different types of sign language. This portion of the event filled up rapidly, showcasing a high demand for intimate learning experiences. Participants donned eye masks and earplugs, immersing themselves in the reality of being in a 'see no evil, hear no evil' state while creating meaningful interactions using tactile and visual sign language techniques.

Participant Feedback

Feedback from attendees highlighted profound emotional responses and newfound insights:

- “As a future speech therapist, I only had cursory knowledge of deafblindness in my classes. This experience has opened my eyes to the importance of effective communication with deafblind individuals.”
- “I found this opportunity to be incredibly educational. Having previously studied disabilities academically but lacking real-world interaction, I was moved by the film and the personal accounts shared during the event.”
- *“Tommy Fukushima’s presentation underscored the significance of support beyond verbal communication. It was evident that broadening a deafblind person’s world is essential to reducing isolation.