The Certified Non-Profit Organization Tokyo Association for the Deafblind (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), which provides interpretation and assistance dispatch services and life support for "deafblind individuals" who have both visual and hearing impairments, will begin streaming the sequel to its vertical short video series "Let's Know About Deafblindness" every Friday starting July 3, 2026. The series aims to broaden understanding and support for deafblind individuals.

To reach a wide range of generations, including young people, the videos will be simultaneously distributed on five official social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).

A scene from the video "Let's Know About Deafblindness: 'Mr. Natori, the Rattan Basket Instructor, Make Something!'" A scene from the video "Let's Know About Deafblindness: 'What are Mr. Muraoka's Hobbies?'"

Background: Approaching Younger Generations and the Social Issue of "Interpreter/Assistant" Shortage

"Deafblind individuals," who have impairments in both sight and hearing, face extreme difficulties in communication, mobility, and information access. To expand support for deafblind individuals in Tokyo, the presence of "interpreters/assistants" who can facilitate communication and support safe movement is indispensable. However, the shortage of these support personnel is a serious issue.

Last fiscal year (FY2025), our organization produced and released 37 introductory videos utilizing a grant from the Independent Administrative Agency, Welfare and Medical Services Agency, to attract the interest of "younger generations" such as university students and junior/senior high school students, who have had limited opportunities to interact with deafblind individuals. These videos have garnered over 700,000 total views and received a significant positive response.

Carrying forward the sentiment of "wanting people to feel closer to deafblind individuals," we have decided to produce and distribute a sequel this fiscal year as our own initiative, depicting the daily lives of deafblind individuals in more depth.

Three Features of "Let's Know About Deafblindness"

1. Deafblind individuals are the stars! Diverse personalities are communicated directly.

Many deafblind individuals will appear in the second season. Each episode will focus on their unique communication methods and lifestyles, introducing their individual personalities in an engaging way.

2. Answering the question "How do they do it?" with realistic scenes from daily life.

The videos will briskly present everyday questions and ingenious solutions in short videos of about one minute each, such as "How do you walk while using finger Braille?" "What do you do on rainy days?" "How do you pay for things when shopping?"

3. From cooking and sewing to rattan basket making! Showcasing sparkling "hobbies and skills."

The series conveys the joy of deafblind individuals enjoying life. It will present the participants' wonderful skills, unadorned daily lives, and moments of happiness, such as "enjoying cooking as a hobby" and "weaving rattan baskets."

Distribution Overview

Series Name: "Let's Know About Deafblindness"

Distribution Schedule: One video will be released every Friday starting July 3, 2026 (scheduled for 40 episodes in total).

Distribution Platforms (Official Account List):

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyodb1991/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063632919758

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyodb1991

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyodb1991

X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/tokyodb

Future Outlook

Through this video series, we aim first and foremost for people to become aware of the existence of "deafblind individuals" and to experience the rich world of deafblindness. We hope that this initiative will lead to a broader understanding of deafblind individuals and their support, and that it will encourage even one more person to take a step towards becoming a supporter, such as by participating in the "Interpreter/Assistant Training Course."

Contact Information

Certified Non-Profit Organization Tokyo Association for the Deafblind

87 Building Iwatocho 2F, 4 Iwatocho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0832

TEL: 03-6228-1282 (Weekdays 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM)

E-mail: [email protected]

URL: http://www.tokyo-db.or.jp

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 社会貢献