It's fun! (October 30, 2020)

The COVID-19 infection epidemic has changed our lives and ways of working.
It was necessary to have an unprecedented way of life, such as wearing masks and avoiding three crowds, and above all, the situation continued to require a distance between people.
However, some people have challenged new attempts to create "joy of meeting" and "joy of gathering" in such a situation.
This time, I would like to introduce Elderly and Disabled Support Division's efforts. People with disabilities were able to connect online and share a wonderful time.

October 30, 2020 Nishi-kuchoji Hiroshi Oka

On Monday, October 12, the West PEC General Assembly was held online for the first time.

The West PEC is a subcommittee of the Nishi Ward Independence Support Council, which is organized by organizations to support persons with disabilities.
The name comes from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference held in Pacifico-yokohama in 2010. The slogan of this conference was "a week in which Yokohama is the center of the world." In response to this, the ideaman Hino, the director of the non-profit organization, was named with the idea that "disabled persons will be the center of the Nishi Ward."

Until now, West PEC has held meetings and events about once a month to listen to the voices of the parties in small groups.
However, as it became difficult to live as before, such as being unable to go to the place of activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we tried an online meeting with the desire to "connect with friends in such an era."
With the full cooperation of Mr. Nishitomo Hiroba, we made it a living creation space, a life support center, and a cafeanimi connected with zoom, and talked about what each felt every day. Oguro, the director in charge of Health and Welfare Center, also participated from the ward office and heard everyone's thoughts.

Mr. Yamamoto, who goes west of the Life Support Center, raised a problem regarding evacuation in the event of a disaster, saying, "I do not know where to escape during a typhoon." .
Mr. Takahashi, who goes west with Guts Bito, wrote letters on the staff's palm, saying, "I want you to be able to live your original life as soon as possible, even if you think Corona is inevitable."
In addition, Mr. Sasaki, who attends the Infinity Dream Studio, conveyed his thoughts in dealing with a difficult situation, saying, "When the situation is cut, roles and places are very important."

Everyone smiled just by seeing them through the screen, calling out and waving their hands. I was able to realize again that it was so happy to be able to see the figure, reach the voice, and connect with someone.
In addition, by using online, I was able to learn about the unique advantages of online, such as making it easier for those who could not participate for various reasons until now, and sharing the atmosphere of each other's places.
In the future, I would like to continue creating opportunities for people with disabilities to communicate in their own words and to listen directly to their voices.
Everyone, thank you very much for your first time online.