Author
First Name: Kumiko
Last Name: Usuda-Sato
Affiliation: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)
Country Japan
Co-Author(s)
First Name: Shin
Last Name: Mineshige
Affiliation: Kyoto University
Country Japan
Title (no more than 200 characters):
Building Networks and Best Practices for Astronomy for Inclusion
in Japan
Abstract (no more than 2,000 characters):
Everybody has the right to learn, enjoy, and experience the
wonders of the Universe, and nobody should be left behind. However,
quite a few communicators and educators do not have an opportunity
to engage with inclusive astronomy due probably to lack of relevant
knowledge, resources, experiences, and so on.
In order to improve such situations in Japan, we established
the Universal Design Working Group (UDWG) in Astronomy in 2006 to
develop resources and build a joint community of astronomy
researchers, educators, people with disabilities and others who are
interested in inclusive astronomy. Working with the UDWG members
and blind people, for example, Mineshige and Takahashi published
astronomy textbooks in printed, braille, audio versions etc. at
three levels from children to college students.
The domestic community grew through a series of the Universal
Design symposia in 2010, 2013, and 2016 at NAOJ Mitaka headquarters.
In 2016, many astronomy communicators shared their resources at
workshops. We also added international components. Thanks to the
relationship with IAU Astronomy for Equity and Inclusion working
group, we established the Japanese Astronomical Sign Language
Working Group in 2016.
At NAOJ Mitaka headquarters, Visiors’ Area is open daily to
the public except for the New Year’s holidays. NAOJ welcomes diverse
visitors. The NAOJ Mitaka campus guidebook is available in Japanese,
English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Japanese braille. An audio
guide in Japanese and English can also be accessed by scanning a
QR code linking to the audio guide website. In June 2019, sign
language videos were added in collaboration with the Japanese
Astronomical Sign Language Working Group.
In our presentation, we will present how we built a community
and resources such as astronomy textbooks, tactile telescope models
created with a 3D printer.
Reference[1]: Mineshige, S. (ed.) “Proceedings of the universal
design symposium for astronomy” in “Tenmon Kyoiku” (Bulletin of
Japanese society for education and Popularization of astronomy),
vol. 29, No. 1, 1-86 (2017)
Reference[2]: Usuda-Sato, K., Tsuzuki, H., & Yamaoka, H. “Making
‘real astronomy’ visible to the public, Nature Astronomy 2, 692-694
(2018)
Reference[3]: NAOJ Mitaka Audio Guide:
https://www.nao.ac.jp/study/mitaka-guide/
Reference[4]: Making Tactile Models with a 3D printer:
http://prc.nao.ac.jp/3d/index_e.html