Barrier-Free College of Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts for Everyone
Top professors provide liberal arts education. Our education liberates you through intellectual exploration. At Barrier-free College of Liberal Arts, students are free to study subjects from a wide range of fields based on their own interests. We offer many cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary subjects. Students are free to choose their favorite subjects and take them in any year. We emphasize "diversity," which is the spirit of liberal arts education. We have many faculty members who are minorities themselves. They discuss LGBTQ, deaf culture, blind culture, Okinawan culture, etc.
Fully Online, Fully Accessible for Anyone
We provide online classes with full accessibilities. You take all the courses online without commuting. We guarantee learning opportunities for everyone; Students who can't see, students who can't hear, students who can't turn the page.... We prepare teaching method and teaching materials based on the premise that there are a variety of people. It is our mission to emphasize accessibility and to eliminate the digital divide. Barria-Free College of Liberal Arts is the model of inclusive society.
33 Subjects Taught by Deaf Teachers in Japanese Sign Language
Deaf people, as persons with other disabilities, “shall be entitled to recognition and support of their specific cultural and linguistic identity”, (Article 30 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities). In order to protect this, we have an environment where Deaf students can learn in Japanese Sign Language (JSL) from Deaf teachers. Deaf teachers from various fields offer classes in Japanese Sign Language for 33 subjects (2 credits each). In addition, you can receive guidance of graduation thesis (8 credits) from Deaf teachers. Therefore students whose language is JSL can take more than half of their credits required for graduation in JSL. Report submissions and graduate theses in Japanese Sign Language videos are also accepted depending on the teachers’ policy. Accommodation for information accessibility will be provided for subjects taught by hearing teachers. Hearing people who sign can take classes in JSL, which is just like studying abroad in the world of JSL.
Learning Liberal Arts from Minorities - LGBTQ, Okinawan Culture, etc.
You can learn cultures and societies of LGBTQ, Okinawa, Buraku, Korean, disabilities (deaf culture, blind culture, etc.), and various of other minorities from professors who are the minorities themselves. Minorities are literally few in number, therefore it is not easy to learn about them directly from the minority professors. Barrier-Free College of Liberal Arts is staffed with leading professors who conduct research on minority studies. Learn and enjoy diversity! There must be a lot of excitement that you will encounter for the first time.
Towards Society where People from any Background can Learn and Work
We will disseminate the "career model" of a college where even people with severe disabilities can work. Thanks to the development of IT, it is now possible to achieve self-actualization, participate in society, and contribute to society, no matter how severe the disability is. Learn and feel about this from the barrier-free environment of Barrier Free College of Liberal Arts. Not only our professors but also our staff members are mostly minority persons. This is why we are able to create an environment where a variety of students can learn comfortably. We also have peer social workers and peer counselors for minority students. Learning all together, students with and without disabilities and those from various cultural backgrounds, will be the driving force for creating an inclusive society.
Lifelong Learning
Barrier-Free College of Liberal Arts, which is free from all kinds of discrimination and prejudice, also rejects ageism. Senior professors also play an active role. Enjoy a performance by one of our professors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmojkLt30yE
He is studying in a music college after once retiring from being a university professor of English and American Cultures. Ater you retire, it is time to it's time to learn new things and find a new you.
Try Supporting Persons with Disabilities and Foreigners
By taking the course "Information Accessibility Studies" developed by faculty members of Barrier-Free College or Liberal Arts and completing online internship on campus, you are able to obtain a completion certificate of Information Accessibility Program. (This course was designed by some of our professors funded by the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.) In addition, attendance (being trained) at a seminar for deaf-blind supporters in each local government will be taken into consideration in the evaluation of this course. Also, if you are a person with disability, you are welcome to join the support efforts. Article 24-3 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities stipulates "mutual support and advice from persons with disabilities." Peer support for minorities including persons with disabilities and non-Japanese speakers is essential for that community.
Long-term Study System for Students with Severe Disabilities and Intractable Diseases
There is a long-term study system for students with severe disabilities or intractable diseases. By making a study plan with an extended study period and submitting it in advance, you will be able to study for tuition fees for four years.
Learning Diverse Languages
English, Japanese Sign Language, American Sign Language, Korean, Chinese, Japanese for returning students, Japanese & English for Deaf/deaf persons
“English with Harry Potter'' conveys the charm of English and British culture. You can also learn languages necessary to make Japanese society an inclusive society, such as Japanese Sign Language, Korean, Chinese and American Sign Language. On the other hand, a professor who has taught Japanese to returnees and foreign students for many years will teach non-Japanese speakers including returnees how to read and write Japanese. There are also English class and Japanese writing class for Dead/deaf students. We offer diverse language classes for students from diverse backgrounds.
Climate Action―
Digital library & Used-book Library
Barrier-free College of Liberal Arts promotes library digitization. We make digital materials more accessible for blind students, low vision students and those who use tablets to turn pages. We digitize books and original materials and books. As for paper media (books), we collaborate with the Icho Kikaku's Used Book Project, which is run by persons with intellectual and mental disabilities. You can request, rent, and buy books from anywhere in Japan.
Love Animals, Love Nature, Value Life!
Learn ‘life’, ‘nature’ and animal welfare with professors including a veterinarian who provides free medical treatment for dogs and cats living with homeless people and a professor of social work who has been involved in animal protection activities. You can also learn about war genocide, and people who were forced to undergo eugenic surgery as well.