Key Points for Creating an Office Where Hearing-Impaired Individuals Can Work Comfortably Published on Website

Okamura Corporation (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa; President and CEO: Masayuki Nakamura) has compiled and published key points for creating an office where hearing-impaired individuals can work comfortably on its website, titled "Creating an Office Where Hearing-Impaired Individuals Can Spend Time Comfortably." This initiative is part of the company's efforts to promote inclusive design for its products and spaces. In addition to the office design points, the website introduces the background surrounding the employment of people with disabilities, basic knowledge about hearing impairment, difficulties hearing-impaired individuals experience in the office, and the concept of "Deaf Space," which considers space from the perspective of the physical senses and lifestyles of Deaf individuals.

The project began with the desire of employees with hearing impairments to "change their working environment to alleviate their difficulties." Employees involved in space design and product development joined the initiative. The company has organized ideas for creating spaces to reduce the difficulties experienced by hearing-impaired individuals within the office.

This resource can be used as an entry point for companies considering office relocation or renovation, as well as for HR, general affairs, and DE&I promotion personnel, to deepen their understanding of the ease of working for hearing-impaired individuals.

□ Okamura Website, Document Download Page "Creating an Office Where Hearing-Impaired Individuals Can Spend Time Comfortably" *Information input is required.

https://www.okamura.co.jp/form/office/008985/

On July 1, 2026, the statutory employment rate for people with disabilities in private companies was raised to 2.7%. Companies are increasingly required not only to employ people with disabilities but also to create a work environment where they can work with peace of mind and demonstrate their abilities after joining the company.

Compared to visible environmental factors such as steps and aisle widths, the "difficulty in working" due to hearing impairment can stem from various factors like sightlines, sound, and light, and is often not easily noticed by others. Consequently, it has not been fully recognized as an issue in office design, making concrete improvements difficult.

Leveraging the office design expertise it has cultivated, Okamura aims to create a workplace environment where individuals with hearing impairments, as well as their supervisors and colleagues, can work together more easily, regardless of disability.

- Example of Key Points for Creating an Office Where Hearing-Impaired Individuals Can Work Comfortably -

The following points are introduced to alleviate the difficulties experienced by hearing-impaired individuals in the office:

- Rounding off corners

- Installing panels and booths

- Using flooring materials that do not echo footsteps

- Installing curtains and blinds