This section details the situation regarding wheelchair access facilities on the Okazaki campus, in the student accommodation and in the surrounding areas (train station, shopping, access to public facilities etc). All dimensions were measured in centimeters (an approximation is also given in inches). This section will also be steadily expanded to provide an online source of information regarding access and access issues in Japan, information which was not readily available in English as of October 2001.

On-Campus:

With the exception of the 2nd (top) floor of Aoi Hall, all classrooms, the theater and common areas have barrier free access.

Aoi Hall: Low gradient ramps to the entrances of the building provide barrier free access to the main hall, distance learning theater, international office, audio-visual control unit, multimedia studio, contact (call) center and the FM radio station. The second (top) floor is unfortunately still inaccessible. An elevator could not be installed in Aoi Hall (a factory renovated 1999-2001) due to local government ordinances concerning renovations.

Distance Learning Theater In the distance learning theater there is room for 10 wheelchairs in the front row - all with internet access. The 4 places closest to the entrance have an extra 35 centimeters (10.66 inches) of space. The door at the entrance is 160 centimeters wide (63 inches), and the observation room used for teacher training and/or simultaneous translation also has ramps access - observation room door width is 73 centimeters (29 inches).

Toilet facilities: The toilet has a sliding door. The lock is 75cm (30 inches) above floor height. There is 74 centimeters (29 inches) of clearance when the door is fully open. The height of the rails is 78 centimeters (31 inches). The toilet seat has an adjustable heater, but no bidet.

Parking space: Carparking space for wheelchair users is available immediately adjacent to the Aoi Hall entrance. There is a low gradient ramp next to the parking space.

Yamasa II building: There are no steps, all floors are easily accessible via elevator. This provides barrier free access to all classrooms, computer labs, library and student support offices.

Toilet facilities: The toilet facilities in this building have not been retrofitted yet. The Institute intends to retrofit in the near future - please contact Admissions for details.

Parking space: Carparking space for wheelchair users is available immediately opposite the Yamasa II building entrance.

Coffee Shop / "Ofuro-bar": The coffeeshop and the bar are not barrier free. The entrance to each has a small step about 8 centimeters (3 inches) high. Assistance is provided.

Accommodation:

Yamasa Student Village: The student village was built in stages from late 1999 and has barrier free access. In addition to the in-house facilities, there is a convenience store (24x7x365) next door.

Entrances: Low gradient ramps to the entrances of the building provide barrier free access. Entrance width is 165 centimeters (65 inches). The outer door is always unlocked so that students can get out of the rain/wind/heat etc before unlocking the inner door. There are two keyholes for the inner door, 55 centimeters (21 inches) and 130 centimeters (51 inches) above the floor respectively.

Elevator: An elevator connects all 3 floors of the village. External button is 97 centimeters (38 inches) above floor height. Entrance clearance is 78 centimeters (31 inches) wide. Internal clearance is 106 centimeters (42 inches) . Inside the elevator, the support rails are 85 centimeters (36 inches) above floor height, with the buttons controlling the elevator at 100 centimeters (39 inches) above floor height. There is an emergency phone, weight limit is 200 kilograms (440.7 pounds)

Shower facilities: Showers designed for wheelchair users have been installed on each floor. Access is via a sliding door. The height of the rails and light switches is 80 centimeters (31 inches). There is an internal door separating the shower from the lockable changing room. The lock is 78cm (30 inches) above floor height.

Toilet facilities: Toilets designed for wheelchair users have been installed on each floor. The toilet has a sliding door. There is 80 centimeters (32 inches) of clearance when the door is fully open. The height of the rails is 65 and 73 centimeters (26 inches and 28 inches) respectively. The washbasins outside are 75 centimeters (30 inches) above floor height. The mirror starts from 80 centimeters (32 inches). AC 100 volt power outlets are just above the washbasin height and easily reached as are the light switches.

Coin Laundry: There are two coin laundries, if you are in a wheelchair then the one in the eastern half is the most convenient to use. In particular, there are two Electrolux machines that are front end loading and therefore easily accessed. There is also a long low bench 46 centimeters (18 inches) above floor height that is convenient for folding clothes etc. One problem is the clothes dryers. Due to lack of space, these are currently above the washing machines and out of reach. However the Institute can easily relocate these if given the normal amount of notice (application deadlines are usually 42 days before program commencement).

Kitchens: Access to the kitchen lounge is via elevator. Food storage areas and refrigerator access at low heights is readily available. All ovens and other equipment is easily accessed.

Bedrooms/Study: There is a study room on the ground floor adjacent to the lounge, however most students prefer to study in their rooms. On each floor, the rooms closest to the elevator have sliding doors. While the rooms are small, they are the same size as all the others (this is Japan...) and include bed, desk, telephone, 10BaseT internet jack, airconditioner etc. For more details click here.

Computer: If you don't bring your own computer, you can use the machine in the study room on the ground floor. Leg clearance under the desk is 62 centimeters (24 inches) above the floor.

Parking space: Free carparking space is available. The carparks are connected by low gradient ramps to the entrances.

Studio Apartments: At this stage we do not have barrier free access in the studio apartments. All of our studio apartments are more than 5 years old, and awareness of access issues is fairly new in Japan. The cost of retrofitting an apartment is still expensive, however if we have sufficient notice (4-6 months) it wouldn't be difficult to complete.