Usagi and I have become a "mentally barrier-free certified facility."
Always The Rabbit and Me Thank you for your patronage.
Our store has recently been selected as a tourist destination promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Japan Tourism Agency. "Mental Barrier-Free Certification System for Tourist Facilities" We have been officially certified in the restaurant category.
Our shop "Usagi to Boku"
This facility is certified as "Barrier-Free in the Heart" by the Japan Tourism Agency.
(Certification number: KKT00563B/Certification date: August 7, 8)
This small coffee shop was renovated from a 90-year-old tenement house, but it is the result of efforts on both the hardware and software sides, aiming to be a place that can support not only those with physical differences, but also those with "mental differences."
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supports us on a daily basis.
What is the Mental Barrier-Free Certification?
It's not just about whether it's wheelchair accessible or not.
- Guidance and customer service (communication support)
- Information dissemination (disclosure of barrier-free information on the web)
- Staff training (at least once a year)
This is a system in which the government reviews and certifies measures that include "consideration" such as these.
The goal is to create a society where everyone can enjoy sightseeing and eating out with peace of mind.
My rabbit and I's efforts - concrete examples
- Communication
- Writing board / QR menu enlargement / voice reading / simple sign language support, etc.
- Travel support
- We have space available for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Sensory Considerations
- Earmuffs and earplugs available for rental. Great for reading, etc.
- Staff training
- The owner couple (who are qualified for welfare) meet at least once a year.
For details, Our Barrier-Free Information Page .
To continue being a "friendly coffee shop"
From here on, this is my personal opinion.
As I wrote in my blog when reasonable accommodation became mandatory, I believe that a three-tiered structure of "hardware," "software," and "welfare services" will enable us to create an environment and services that will satisfy our customers.
Although there are limitations due to the structure of the building, we create an overall environment that is easy for all customers to be satisfied with in terms of "hardware," and respond to individual problems with the "software" provided by service staff. If neither of these methods can solve the problem, we will ask for the help of "welfare services." (The "welfare services" themselves are up to the individual customer's convenience.)
However, simply improving the "hardware" does not necessarily create an environment where all customers can feel safe.
For example, it's easy to imagine the sound environment, but customers who are sensitive to noise need a quiet place, and conversely, some people become anxious if it's too quiet.
It is quite difficult to create an environment where all customers can feel safe, and the optimal solution will vary depending on the situation of the customers who make up the space.
I believe that the process of judging the situation and searching for the optimal solution for each moment, when there is no single correct answer, can also lead to ``barrier-free minds.''
Now that Usagi and I have become a store certified under the "Barrier-Free Heart System," we would like to further explore what better service we can provide.
I look forward to working with you.
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