Sport

NO LIMITS

Blind bowling, silent rugby and wheelchair DJing – things you can do at the Super Welfare Expo in November. Words Yukako Izumi

While the sports world is buzzing in the of Image Arts and Sciences at Ritsumeikan lead-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics University along with KMD: Graduate School of and Paralympics, the topic of sports in Media Design at Keio University. It has wheels the context of disabilities is gaining traction too. that act as turntables, spouting out tunes when One organisation in particular, the People Design prompted by the accelerometers that record the Institute NPO, is working to encourage what they rotation of the wheels. Visitors can try it out for call ‘barrier-free minds’. By cooperating with themselves to feel what it’s like to ‘dance’ and local and foreign universities as well as with create music at the same time, while onlookers local governments in Shibuya and Kawasaki, can synchronise their smartphones with the their People Design project seeks out beat by shaking them in the air. creative ways to make cities more diverse and accommodating towards PLAY SILENT RUGBY sportspeople with disabilities. Last year, they organised the It has Forget the charging, tackling and kicking of a usual rugby game. This technology and design-focused exhibition called ‘Super Welfare Expo’. This November, the show wheels that act as silent version is the polar opposite: the slower you walk, the greater your chances of winning. A blind sport, returns to Shibuya’s Hikarie department store and also teams turntables silent rugby is played with a special ball that makes a noise whenever the up with the futuristic-sounding ball carrier stops or runs. This means Superhuman Sports Society at Miyashita Park. that slow, careful walking is a smart strategy The hope is that it will encourage people to as it allows players to carry the ball into the think about how technology can open up new opponent’s area and score points without being possibilities and help to make participation in noticed. Of course, it also helps minimise the sports more equal. In contrast to the exhibitionchance of you crashing into fellow players since and symposium-heavy programme at Hikarie, the you’ll be blindfolded while playing. new event at Miyashita Park invites visitors to participate – prepare to get physical… TRY BLIND BOWLING A sport you can play all on your own, blind BE A WHEELCHAIR DJ bowling entails moving a remote-controlled Head for the skatepark, where you’ll hear ball with your iPhone. Beginners can compete music being played by a wheelchair DJ. This to see who can get a ball to move five metres specialised chair was developed by the College and touch their feet in the quickest time. More

experienced players can try aiming at a soundemitting goal.

DRIVE SUZUKI’S PERSONAL MOBILITY UNIT Take a test drive in a zippy personal mobility vehicle designed by Suzuki. The futuristic little unit may not go that fast, but it’s still super fun.

EVENT DETAILS: ‘Super Welfare Expo’ Nov 10-16 at Hikarie, Nov 14 at Miyashita Park. Free entry. peopledesign.or.jp This event is open to everyone, with or without disabilities, as the public’s understanding and welfare support go a long way in helping those with disabilities enjoy more freedom. Additional activities planned in the surrounding area include ‘fashion town tours’ around Ships, Beams and Mont-bell using electric wheelchairs.