Disability, COVID-19 and Accessibility in Japan Australia: Lessons from Lockdown

This book reflects on the lived experience of disability during the COVID-19 lockdown in Tokyo and Melbourne. Drawing on the autoethnographic analysis of two personal accounts, it discusses the short and long-term impact of the pandemic on the social isolation and medical vulnerability faced by individuals with disabilities, as well as issues related to the labor market, education, and healthcare systems within a global crisis setting. A timely reflection on accessibility and inclusivity in society, this short monograph explores the benefits and setbacks of the pandemic, from video conferencing and teleworking to the crisis of the care industry and subsequent disruptions to services to vulnerable people. The authors stitch together the disabled and non-disabled experience of the pandemic using the notion of empathy (i.e. understanding and internalization of the disabled experienced by non-disabled populations) to discuss how a more inclusive society is achievable through this shared pandemic experience. Through a cross-cultural comparison of two countries globally seen as success stories during the pandemic, this book analyses 2020-2021 data to unveil the sociocultural and political factors that guided decision makers and to explore how different approaches created different outcomes. An invaluable read for academics and practitioners working in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion areas with an interest in Asian Studies, Japanese Studies, Disability Studies, and Global Health.