17/06/2026
✈️ Barrier-Free Discovery Tour to Tokyo 2026 ✈️
🌏 From 1 to 6 June 2026, SEN Support Team organized a Barrier-Free Discovery Tour to Tokyo, bringing together 15 students with special educational needs (SEN) and 12 faculty/staff members for an inspiring journey. The tour explored accessibility and inclusivity through global perspectives, innovative technology, and rich cultural traditions.
🏫 Participants visited leading universities in Tokyo, including the University of Tokyo, Waseda University, Toyo University, and International Christian University, gaining insights into how they support diverse learning needs.
🦯🤖 Beyond campus visits, the group participated in integrative activities such as Dialogue in the Dark, an immersive experience conducted in complete darkness that fosters empathy by simulating the daily environments of individuals with visual impairment, and the Dawn Avatar Robot Café, where innovative technologies enable individuals with disabilities to work, communicate, and actively engage with society. These hands-on experiences highlighted how technology and thoughtfully designed environments can break down barriers and create new opportunities for inclusion.
🎎 Cultural and mindful immersion was also a highlight of the tour. Activities such as daruma doll painting, temple visits, and Wagashi-making with a traditional Japanese tea experience offered participants a deeper appreciation of mindfulness and local traditions.
🏛️ Visits to iconic landmarks such as Meiji Shrine and the Tokyo National Museum further enriched the journey, allowing participants to observe how accessibility features are thoughtfully integrated into public and cultural spaces, blending traditional heritage with inclusive inspiration.
❤️Through experiential learning and visits, participants explored global best practices and reflected on how these insights can be applied to strengthen inclusive support within our community, as we continue to advance inclusiveness and accessibility at HKUST. ✨
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
