The City Without Vision, 'Shikanshi,' a Special Zone for Non-Visual Focus, Presents True Universal Design

We endorse April Dream, an initiative to share dreams on April 1st. This press release is a dream from Rise & Play Inc. (Tokyo).

Shikanshi: A City Where You Can Live Freely Without Relying on Sight

In the Shikanshi we envision, there are no walking guides. This is because the city's design itself is optimized for the 'four senses' (hearing, touch, smell, taste) that do not require sight.
Even if you cannot see or have low vision, you can go anywhere you like, freely and independently.

The anxiety of interrupted tactile paving and the unreasonableness of being refused entry are things of the past here.

Assistance dogs are a natural part of life, existing as 'an extension of the user's body.'

The 'fear of being grabbed by the arm without a word, even with good intentions.'

The 'sadness of being refused entry because assistance dogs are treated as pets.'

The 'confusion of being lost because there are no landmarks to indicate your location.'

These are also non-existent in this city.

Shikanshi's initiatives are a first step towards questioning societal 'norms' and truly understanding DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion).

Disability Lies Not in the 'Person,' but in the 'Society.'

In the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) adopted in 2001, the WHO defined disability not merely as 'an impairment of an individual's body or mind (medical model),' but as a decline in functioning that arises from the interaction between the 'individual' and the 'environment they are in.'

In other words, it is not the inability to walk that is a disability, but the presence of steps that creates a disability. It is not the inability to see that causes inconvenience, but the city's design biased towards visual information that creates inconvenience.

We support this 'social model of disability.'

By designing the fictional city of Shikanshi, we want to ask society:

Is not being able to see or having low vision inconvenient and pitiable?

Actions to Make Dreams a Reality

The official X account for 'Shikanshi' highlights the everyday discomforts faced by visually impaired people as 'relatable experiences,' bringing to light the flaws in societal design.

By deliberately redefining cities and products with the premise of 'not using sight,' new perspectives and ideas that are intuitively usable by everyone may emerge, challenging conventional wisdom.

Through this fictional city, we aim to accelerate the update of the real world.

■ Official X Account

https://x.com/FOURsenses_city

■ Lecture to be held in Shibuya on April 12th

'Disability Support You Can Do from Zero Yen' Lecture + Experience Session for the image-to-text app 'Mimiseka.'

For details and registration, please visit the URL below:

https://mimiseka.peatix.com/

We will present concrete methods for breaking down 'barriers' with just a change in mindset, without spending money.

Additionally, we will hold an experience session for 'Mimiseka,' an app that converts images to text and audio, allowing users to perceive the world through sound. Participation by visually impaired individuals is also highly welcomed.

About Rise & Play Inc.

Rise & Play Inc. plans and operates experiential programs, training sessions, games, and events centered around accessibility and inclusive design. We develop experiential content that can be enjoyed by diverse participants, including the visually impaired, and provide training on DEI themes.

Official note: https://note.com/riseandplay

Diversity Experience Training: https://x.gd/7DhOM

Rise & Play Events: https://x.gd/mgd9N