Yuuka Suzuki

She was born in Fukushima Prefecture in 1990. Due to retinopathy of prematurity, glaucoma, and cataracts, she now only has slight perception of light in her right eye and is totally blind in her left eye. After graduating from high school at the Fukushima Prefectural School for the Blind (now the School for the Visually Impaired), she majored in social welfare at the Department of Human Welfare, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Shitennoji University. She has been working as a Fukushima prefectural public official since 2013 and is a guide dog user. She is a standing committee member of the Youth Council for the Japanese Federation of the Visually Impaired.

“I want to go to university, learn and work with able-bodied people.” This was part of my speech during the fall of my third year in high school when I won the 77th National Speech Competition for Schools for the Blind. Based on my experience participating in a summer course at a private high school in my second year, I gave a presentation entitled Stepping Forward. The head judge of this speech competition was a blind person who was a professor at Shitennoji University at that time. This encounter with the professor became a turning point in my life. I decided to take the entrance examination for the university in Osaka because I felt that this university was a place where it would be easier for me to study social welfare because the professor who was also blind would provide an environment that would be conducive to visually impaired students.

At the University, I aimed to become a certified social worker and studied welfare law, systems, and counseling skills. I also participated in a one-month practical training session at a welfare facility during my third year at the university.

Then, in March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant occurred. At this time, I strongly wanted to return to my hometown of Fukushima to find a job. I thought that if I became a prefecture official, there would be plenty of department openings and eventually, I could provide counseling support for individuals with disabilities in the welfare department, so I decided to take the employment exam.

However, at that time, the preliminary selection examination for the physically handicapped in Fukushima prefecture did not allow for braille exams. I almost gave up when I realized I couldn’t even take the exam, but with advice from my family and university professors, I decided to make a request for a braille exam. I made the request in January during my third year but did not receive a response. Therefore, I wrote a letter to Braille Mainichi, a Braille newspaper, and with the cooperation of many supporters, including a local group of concerned people I was able to take the exam in Braille in December of my fourth year. I still remember how happy I was when I found my exam number on the pass list and how relieved I was that I had not given up.

Time flies, and this year marks my 10th year of service. Currently, I am in charge of planning art exhibitions for individuals with disabilities and the breeding and lending of assistance dogs for individuals with physical disabilities at the Disability Welfare Division. Sometimes I receive consultations from local residents. When I hear things like, “Thank you for listening to me,” I feel fulfilled in providing courteous support.

The computer I use at work has screen reading software called PC-Talker, and I use it to listen to the computer’s voice while working with Word, Excel, emails, and other tasks. I also take notes with an electronic Braille notebook and convert paper documents to text using a scanner and OCR software to check their contents. I also asked other staff members to help me check the document layout and Kanji conversion, read handwritten documents aloud, and write on my behalf. When requesting support, I try to tell them specifically what I want them to do and to actively communicate with them.

I live with my guide dog, Ena. Even on roads, I used to walk with my white cane and wear out my nerves, I can now walk in peace without worrying because Ena avoids obstacles for me. Having Ena has also given me the confidence to go out alone and expand my range of activities. However, there are still cases where the acceptance of guide dogs is denied. In these situations, I explain that guide dogs are accepted by law and that guide dogs are trained not to cause any inconvenience to other customers. After hearing this many facilities come to understand and accept us.

I am able to live a fulfilling life thanks to my family, friends, teachers, people involved, and supporters. I will continue to strive to create a society where everyone can live comfortably and never forget my gratitude. With Ena by my side, let’s head toward a bright future!