In December 2024, Palabra conducted a survey on script lending to people who can't hear or have trouble hearing. Palabra Inc. (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, President: Shoko Yamagami) is under the umbrella of Pole To Win Holdings, Inc. (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, CEO & President: Teppei Tachibana) and produces Japanese/multi-language subtitles for movies, produces audio descriptions, produces barrier-free subtitles and audio descriptions, and develops and operates UDCast, a closed-captioned audio guide application.  

This awareness survey is conducted by UDCast viewing support & consultation desk operated by the " Cultural and Art Activities Promotion by Persons with Disabilities Project 2024" commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

https://udcast.net/support/

[Background of the survey]

According to a survey conducted in 2022 on viewing support for performing arts businesses, about half of the operators answered that they did not know about the "Obligation of reasonable accommodation" that will start in April 2024.

https://udcast.net/feature/theater-accessibility-survey-2022/

On the other hand, 90% of the respondents answered that they would like to implement the program if the conditions are right, which shows that they want to start positively support for viewing, but it highlighted the fact that the biggest issue was financial issues.Now that it has become mandatory, to support those who cannot or have difficulty hearing, more works have started script lending which is relatively easy to introduce from a financial standpoint. However, the consultation desk is receiving a variety of voices from customers who have actually received support.

Therefore, Palabra has published the results of the survey in a feature article in order to let operators that provide support to audiences who cannot or have difficulty hearing understand the voices of their customers.In the first part of the edition, we compiled the feedback from audiences who cannot of have difficulty hearing about the ① Lending Period, ② Provision Method, ③ Contents ④ Peripheral information on script lending.In the second part, we listed the feedback of good points and points to be improved based on actual viewing support.

Think about viewing support- What is "script lending" for those who cannot or have difficulty hearing?

◎Preface (published on December 25, 2024)

https://udcast.net/feature/stage-accessibility-script-survey-20241225/

◎Subsequent Edition (released on January 10, 2025)

https://udcast.net/feature/stage-accessibility-script-survey-20250110/

[Feedback from the audience]

●When the performance was first decided, there were no plans to guarantee information, but when I had the inquiry desk called on my behalf, they arranged so that they would lend me a script tablet. It was also announced on the performance website that there was a tablet available for rent, so that people other than myself could borrow it. (Female/40s/hearing impairment)

●If the inquiry desk is by email address, then it is easy to contact, but if the inquiry desk only has a phone, I need to use the phone relay service. Also the drawback is that you have to think about what you want to say in advance. (Female/30s/ deaf)

●After the show, I was once asked by an operator, "How was the show?"  and I was glad that I was able to tell them directly what I felt. I was also happy that they took the time to ask me a question. (Female/40s/deaf)

We hope that this survey will help many people understand what "script lending" is and increase the number of support for viewing.

[Summary of Survey]

Survey method: A survey using Google Form

Survey period: November 21 to December 9, 2024

Number of responses: 76

The hearing status of the respondents: Deaf 51.4%, hard of hearing 25.7%, hearing loss 14.9%

When the respondents became deaf: 38.7% at birth, 37.3% from childhood to around 20 year's old, 18.7% after 20 year's old:18.7%

◎What is "viewing support"?

The service that guarantees the accessibility of cultural and artistic works such as stage and film productions is called "viewing support". The "viewing support" includes subtitles, sign language interpretation, audio guide, stage explanation, and script lending.

◎What is "script lending"?
To lend a script of a work to those who cannot hear or have difficulty hearing, or who cannot see or have difficulty seeing, to support audio and visual information in order to understand the content of the show. In addition to paper scripts, there are a wide range of other ways to lend script data, such as lending "script tablets".

◎What is "reasonable accommodation"?
When a person with a disability indicates that he or she needs some kind of response to remove the barriers in society, it is necessary to respond within a range that is not too burdensome.

(Quoted from the Cabinet Office leaflet, "Provision of reasonable accommodation became mandatory on April 1, 2024.

https://www8.cao.go.jp/shougai/suishin/pdf/gouriteki_hairyo2/print.pdf

[Summary of Palabra Inc.]

Representative: Shoko Yamagami, President
Established: March 4, 1960
Head Office: Shinjuku NS Building 14F, 4-1 Nishi-Shinjuku 2-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Capital stock: ¥30 million (As of January 31, 2024)
Business: Japanese subtitles, multilingual subtitles, audio guide, sign language video production, developing and operating UDCast app, Video production and editing, training, barrier-free viewing and consulting services for screenings
URL :https://palabra-i.co.jp/