Photo/Illutration A computer equipment to magnify text characters is seen at the Nara Prefectural School for the Blind in Yamato-Koriyama in 2015. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Noriko Ishikawa, a veteran librarian at Toshima City Central Library in Tokyo’s Toshima Ward, felt her heart swell with emotion when she saw a young bespectacled boy completely engrossed in the pages of a book in his hands.

His face was lit up with a genuine, delighted smile. He is immersed in the pleasure of reading, she thought to herself.

The boy was reading a book printed in large type for visually impaired readers. This spring, the library introduced a new section named “Ringo no tana” (apple shelf).

Here, one finds shelves of books designed for tactile enjoyment and reading ease--books chosen by Ishikawa and her colleagues with the intention of giving every child opportunities to “experience the joy of reading.”

This initiative earned heartfelt gratitude from a mother whose child suffers from a disease that causes progressive vision loss.

“We’ve wanted a book like this,” she said, adding, “Such books were not available before, were they?”

Consciously avoiding the word “disability” in the shelf labeling, the library opted for terms such as “books to consider diversity.” All people experience declines in vision and mobility, to a greater or lesser extent, as they age.

The need to make reading barrier-free is, therefore, an issue that concerns everyone.

This contemplation brings to mind the poignant statement made by author Sao Ichikawa, an individual with severe disabilities, during a news conference for acceptance of the Akutagawa Prize in literature in July.

“Not being able to read the books one desires is a violation of rights.”

I am ashamed to say it was a moment of rude awakening that made me feel as if I had been hit hard on the head.

Ishikawa’s reflection is a humbling acknowledgment: “Disability is not an attribute of the person who visits our library but rather a feature of the library that provides the service.”

She and her colleagues asked themselves how they could enable more people to enjoy the pleasure of reading.

“We are still learning, still have a long way to go,” Ishikawa admits.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 5

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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