A visually impaired community is raising concerns as they face significant barriers to purchasing tickets for the highly anticipated Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, which is set to open on April 13, 2025.
The issue came to light when 75-year-old Momoko Souno, who has been totally blind for several years, expressed her desire to attend theexpo after eagerly awaiting its start. Souno's connection to the Expo dates back to 1970 when she visited the first Osaka Expo with her father and yearned to visit the USA Pavilion and see the Moon rock display, which she was unable to do due to crowds at the time.
Despite her excitement about the upcoming event, Souno and many like her face insurmountable challenges when itcomes to obtaining admission tickets. Since November 2023, the Expo has required online registration of what is called 'Expo ID' to purchase electronic tickets, which poses significant difficulties for people with visual impairments, and they have made protests against the organizers about the access to tickets.
Souno mentioned, "I want to go to the USA Pavilion this time," but the path to acquiring tickets has been steep. To buy the electronic tickets, she would need to complete tasks on her smartphone, something she finds exceedingly challenging.
Fortunately, news of the availability of paper tickets for those struggling with electronic systems surfaced. By October 2024, such tickets became available for sale via convenience stores or travel agencies. Souno headed to the nearest store, eager to secure her entry.
Unfortunately, her hopes were dashed when she was told by the convenience store staff, "We don’t have admission tickets for the handicapped here." This incident epitomizes the accessibility issues faced by many visually impaired individuals who seek to participate in the Expo.
The Osaka-Kansai Expo sets itself as promoting inclusivity under the motto of "Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” but stakeholders within the disabled communityvoice strong criticisms. One of their primary arguments is the irony of the Expo's rhetoric; it champions diversity yet creates barriers to access, making participation difficult, if not impossible, for some individuals.
Groups advocating for the rights of people with disabilities have voiced their discontent with the Expo organizers, stating their operations, especially concerning ticketing, do not comply with accessibility standards. They have called for immediate resolution of the accessibility issues to prevent the exclusion of individuals with disabilities from this major event.
The stark reality still remains: as the opening day of the Expo draws near, countless individuals with visual impairments, like Momoko Souno, continue to question whether they will be included in what is touted as a celebration of human achievement and progress.
With the countdown to the Expo near, many are hoping changes can be made not only to ticketing procedures but to create more inclusive environments for all attendees to enjoy. The concerns echo the larger theme throughout various events targeting inclusivity for marginalized communities.
Ensuring access for all concerned parties promises to make the Osaka-Kansai Expo not just another world fair but rather hard-won progress toward equality and representation for visually impaired individuals and the broader community.