@ease Supporters

Keio University created the @ease supporter program as a way of accommodating the needs of students with disabilities. Every semester, Keio accepts applications from its undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in providing support to the community. Students who are accepted into the project are paid as temporary staff while working on support activities.

General support for students with disabilities
・Helping students record information by taking notes by hand or on a computer
・Transcribing class materials
・Assisting students in getting around campus
・Supporting students during official ceremonies or other events organized by Keio University
・Setting up and operating specialized classroom equipment
・Raising awareness about the @ease Project

@ease supporter applications for upcoming academic terms are posted at the end of each semester on both the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion's website and the keio.jp student website.
1. Students fill out and submit the @ease application form
2. Applicants will be interviewed by staff from the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
3. After the office makes its decisions, @ease supporters will be hired and paid as temporary staff for their work

Keio conducts training sessions before the start of each semester so that even those who do not have prior knowledge or experiences in disability support will be able to start from scratch.

・An introduction to the main purpose of @ease supporters and their activities given by the director of the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
・Lectures on how to support students with disabilities

・Participants will learn practical techniques for both hand-written and digital note-taking and be given time for hands-on practice. After the workshop ends, students will be provided places to work in groups to study and prepare for taking notes in real classes.

・Students will be asked to attend a training course for the 2nd and 3rd levels of the Japanese "Universal Manners Test (UMT) and then take the exam.

A lecture covering the 2nd level of the UMT

Training session on how to help wheelchair users maneuver obstacles

Aging simulation-based training

Training session on assisting students with visual impairments

・Transcribing audio during class for students with auditory disabilities
・Assisting students with physical disabilities during meals and similar situations

・Providing mobility assistance for students with disabilities (orthopedic and visual impairments)
・Facilitating information accessibility and assisting guests with disabilities at graduation and entrance ceremonies
・Staffing events related to disabilities
・Accommodating visitors with disabilities at open campuses
・Subtitling for on-demand online classes
・Holding @ease supporter programs during Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Week
・Handling media coverage

All activities are arranged and coordinated so that students can work on them during free time between classes or other commitments. If you have any interests in @ease supporter activities, we hope that you will consider helping provide care throughout the Keio community. We look forward to your application!