Our association supports "April Dream," an initiative that turns April 1st into a day for sharing dreams. This press release represents the dream of the Japan Deaf Beach Volleyball Association.
The Japan Deaf Beach Volleyball Association is committed to realizing normalization in sports by creating inclusive environments for everyone, regardless of disability or physical ability. Following the success of their first "Seated Beach Volleyball Tournament" in March 2026, they are expanding their efforts in beach accessibility, urban sports events, and specialized developmental support services for children.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 09:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 01:00
Since its establishment, the Japan Deaf Beach Volleyball Association (hereinafter referred to as "the Association") has upheld "the realization of normalization in sports" as its core theme, promoting the creation of environments where everyone can enjoy sports regardless of disability, physique, athletic ability, age, or gender. Following the success of the "Seated Beach Volleyball Tournament" held in March 2026, we would like to report on our future activity policies and new initiatives.
■ Bringing the Beach to Everyone—Creating an Inclusive Environment
For many, the beach is a symbol of summer and a place to enjoy sports and leisure. However, due to the nature of sand, movement has been a significant barrier for wheelchair users. The Association is actively promoting the development of beach environments where wheelchair users can move safely and freely. We aim to realize a society where people with disabilities can naturally access the beach by installing access mats (dedicated pathways for sandy beaches) that allow for wheelchair travel and by advocating for barrier-free facilities.
Additionally, for those who find it difficult to access the beach due to geographical or physical reasons, we regularly hold "Urban Special Beach Tournaments," where temporary beach courts are set up in city plazas and parks. We invite overseas teams to these international friendship tournaments, contributing to the promotion of international understanding through sports exchange. By providing opportunities for those who cannot visit the beach to experience the intensity and fun of beach volleyball in the city, we are broadening the base of sports spectatorship.
■ First "Seated Beach Volleyball Tournament" Held—A Historic Step in Para-Deaf Collaboration
In March 2026, in collaboration with the Japan Para-Volleyball Association, our Association held Japan's first Para-Deaf collaborative "Seated Beach Volleyball Tournament." This tournament was a groundbreaking attempt to bridge the gap between deaf sports and para-sports.
Seated beach volleyball is a discipline where players compete with their buttocks on the sand. This format embodies normalization in the following ways:
・Competition is possible under the same rules regardless of the presence of a disability.
・Height and physique differences are significantly mitigated by playing in a seated position.
・Differences in athletic ability are less likely to determine the outcome, allowing teamwork and tactics to shine.
・Mixed teams spanning gender and age can be formed naturally.
In this tournament, deaf athletes with hearing impairments and para-athletes with physical disabilities stood on the same court and engaged in heated matches. Participating athletes commented, "I am happy to be able to work toward the same goal regardless of the type of disability," and "I felt both the fun of the sport and the joy of playing together." We are currently considering making this a regular, nationwide event.
■ For the Future of Children—Operating Child Development Support and After-School Day Services
Beyond the scope of competitive sports, the Association also operates "Child Development Support" and "After-School Day Services" for children with developmental disabilities. It is known that therapeutic education through sports (exercise therapy) is effective not only for improving physical ability but also for developing communication skills and sociality.
At our facilities, we implement exercise therapy programs that incorporate perspectives from sports science, under the guidance of Professor Norikazu Hirose of the Faculty of Sport Sciences at Waseda University. Professor Hirose specializes in sports science and supports children's development through a scientific approach. Through these collaborations, we are working to provide opportunities for children with developmental disabilities to enjoy exercise just as children without disabilities do.
■ Future Outlook
Our Association will further develop the following activities and work toward the realization of normalization in sports throughout Japan:
1. Nationwide expansion and internationalization of the Seated Beach Volleyball Tournament.
2. Advocacy and promotion of wheelchair-accessible beach infrastructure.
3. Continued hosting of international friendship tournaments via urban special beach courts.
4. Enhancement and expansion of bases for Child Development Support and After-School Day Services.
Sports have the power to connect people rather than divide them. The Association will continue to strive toward the realization of a "society where everyone can enjoy sports." We appreciate your continued support and cooperation.
【Association Overview】
Organization Name: Japan Deaf Beach Volleyball Association
Address: 1-1-2 Takaodai, Oita City, Oita Prefecture, 870-0873
Purpose of Establishment: Promotion of beach volleyball for the hearing impaired and the realization of normalization in sports
Contact: dbva@uni9.me
(Collaborating Institutions) Japan Para-Volleyball Association, Norikazu Hirose Laboratory, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University
■ Bringing the Beach to Everyone—Creating an Inclusive Environment
For many, the beach is a symbol of summer and a place to enjoy sports and leisure. However, due to the nature of sand, movement has been a significant barrier for wheelchair users. The Association is actively promoting the development of beach environments where wheelchair users can move safely and freely. We aim to realize a society where people with disabilities can naturally access the beach by installing access mats (dedicated pathways for sandy beaches) that allow for wheelchair travel and by advocating for barrier-free facilities.
Additionally, for those who find it difficult to access the beach due to geographical or physical reasons, we regularly hold "Urban Special Beach Tournaments," where temporary beach courts are set up in city plazas and parks. We invite overseas teams to these international friendship tournaments, contributing to the promotion of international understanding through sports exchange. By providing opportunities for those who cannot visit the beach to experience the intensity and fun of beach volleyball in the city, we are broadening the base of sports spectatorship.
■ First "Seated Beach Volleyball Tournament" Held—A Historic Step in Para-Deaf Collaboration
In March 2026, in collaboration with the Japan Para-Volleyball Association, our Association held Japan's first Para-Deaf collaborative "Seated Beach Volleyball Tournament." This tournament was a groundbreaking attempt to bridge the gap between deaf sports and para-sports.
Seated beach volleyball is a discipline where players compete with their buttocks on the sand. This format embodies normalization in the following ways:
・Competition is possible under the same rules regardless of the presence of a disability.
・Height and physique differences are significantly mitigated by playing in a seated position.
・Differences in athletic ability are less likely to determine the outcome, allowing teamwork and tactics to shine.
・Mixed teams spanning gender and age can be formed naturally.
In this tournament, deaf athletes with hearing impairments and para-athletes with physical disabilities stood on the same court and engaged in heated matches. Participating athletes commented, "I am happy to be able to work toward the same goal regardless of the type of disability," and "I felt both the fun of the sport and the joy of playing together." We are currently considering making this a regular, nationwide event.
■ For the Future of Children—Operating Child Development Support and After-School Day Services
Beyond the scope of competitive sports, the Association also operates "Child Development Support" and "After-School Day Services" for children with developmental disabilities. It is known that therapeutic education through sports (exercise therapy) is effective not only for improving physical ability but also for developing communication skills and sociality.
At our facilities, we implement exercise therapy programs that incorporate perspectives from sports science, under the guidance of Professor Norikazu Hirose of the Faculty of Sport Sciences at Waseda University. Professor Hirose specializes in sports science and supports children's development through a scientific approach. Through these collaborations, we are working to provide opportunities for children with developmental disabilities to enjoy exercise just as children without disabilities do.
■ Future Outlook
Our Association will further develop the following activities and work toward the realization of normalization in sports throughout Japan:
1. Nationwide expansion and internationalization of the Seated Beach Volleyball Tournament.
2. Advocacy and promotion of wheelchair-accessible beach infrastructure.
3. Continued hosting of international friendship tournaments via urban special beach courts.
4. Enhancement and expansion of bases for Child Development Support and After-School Day Services.
Sports have the power to connect people rather than divide them. The Association will continue to strive toward the realization of a "society where everyone can enjoy sports." We appreciate your continued support and cooperation.
【Association Overview】
Organization Name: Japan Deaf Beach Volleyball Association
Address: 1-1-2 Takaodai, Oita City, Oita Prefecture, 870-0873
Purpose of Establishment: Promotion of beach volleyball for the hearing impaired and the realization of normalization in sports
Contact: dbva@uni9.me
(Collaborating Institutions) Japan Para-Volleyball Association, Norikazu Hirose Laboratory, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University