WORLD PIONEER Co., Ltd
Leadership Development Course 2007
WORLD PIONEER Co., Ltd
3-33-3-5-5F, Nakano, Nakano Ward, Tokyo, 164-0001, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3229-2282
Fax: +81-3-3229-2277
http://www.wp1.co.jp
Building a company taking “disabilities as an advantage”
WORLD PIONEER Co., Ltd. aims to become a role model in promoting employment of persons with hearing impairment, through development of unique products and provision of information.
Company profile and background of employment of persons with disabilities
WORLD PIONEER is a pioneering company specialized in services which improve the quality of life, based on accessible-universal designs. Their main operations are the planning and marketing of useful equipments on the whole which are related to the life of persons with hearing impairment. The company also provides truly useful information by making use of the views of their employees with disabilities. Having “creation of employment for persons with hearing impairment” as a keyword, they actively carry out activities that promote other people's understanding of hearing impairment. While providing training and talks, they also produce educational videos and books.
Main operations and activities
Planning, producing and marketing of products for persons with hearing impairment (hardware); planning, producing, publishing and marketing of books and videos (software); information provision services related to persons with hearing impairment; planning and producing of entertainment related to sign language; other related activities (entrusted work, dispatch of human resources etc.); support for independence of persons with hearing impairment; social contribution and cultural support.
Number of employees
12 as of October 2007, including 4 persons with disabilities (all with hearing impairment)
Aiming to become an authority as a company in the field of hearing impairment
WORLD PIONEER has as its goal to “have anything” and “know anything” about hearing impairment and sign language, and it handles products and services on the whole which are related to the life of persons with hearing impairment. It is a fast growing venture company. They spotted a market of hearing impairment, which is a niche market, and have been developing unique and original products.
The views of persons with hearing impairment themselves are made use of in their product development. Seven employees out of fifteen have hearing impairment. The entire company has devoted its effort in attempts ‘to work taking disabilities as advantage,’ and as its name suggests, WORLD PIONEER is now known as a pioneering company in this field.
Wishing to demonstrate that if we try we can do
The population of persons with hearing impairment in Japan (including mild hearing impairment) is estimated at around six million, but at a glance it is difficult to distinguish them from persons without hearing impairment. Mr. Hideki Nakazono, president, points out that this hinders people's understanding of hearing impairment. In fact, Japan lags behind other countries in the extent of consideration for persons with hearing impairment. There is even a misconception that all persons with hearing impairment communicate using sign language. Although there are many people who have troubles because of hearing impairment, there are not enough useful products available and it is difficult even to know from where they can get such products.
Mr. Nakazono himself is one of persons with hearing impairment. He acquired a severe hearing impairment as a result of high fever when he was 3 years old, and lost his hearing completely when he got sudden deafness at the age of 41. What was waiting for a man who lost all sounds in his prime was difficulty in communicating with people around him. In order to build a strong relationship with clients, he wanted to overcome the handicap of “not hearing.” Although there were so many devices he needed or wished to have, they were not available in the market. “If they are not available, let's produce them by ourselves.” This led to the establishment of WORLD PIONEER.
Developing original products in partnership with bigger companies
The work of WORLD PIONEER ranges from proposals and planning to marketing of products for hearing accessibility. The method is unique. They do not have their own production section within a company and instead tie up with other companies which have strong technological capabilities. Manufacturing is outsourced to companies with factory lines. WORLD PIONEER utilizes ideas from daily life to make production and is full of innovation. The company provides an excellent example of product development that takes advantage of disabilities.
Creating an environment where persons with disabilities can display their potentials
WORLD PIONEER takes the stance that persons with hearing impairment are not lacking in capabilities and that once they are able to &ldfquo;communicate” and “collect information,” they are not different from those who can hear.
This company creates a workplace by utilizing products useful for persons with hearing impairment. Employees with hearing impairment are also placed in positions such as receptionists and sales representative, producing positive outcomes. This has helped to boost their confidence that “if I try I can do it” and have had a beneficial effect on their mental aspects.
In addition to the use of communication tools and arrangement of facilities and environment, understanding and support by their work colleagues is also indispensable to develop smooth relationships at workplace so that they can devote themselves to their work. This company builds a human relationship where all staff regardless of disabilities are understanding and supportive towards each other. By doing so, the workplace is revitalized and as a result company's performance has been improved.
Setting up the first “Experience Corner” in the private sector
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WORLD PIONEER is also actively carrying out activities that help deepen understanding of hearing impairment. For this purpose, “Experience Corner” was set up in the headquarters, where visitors can freely try lifestyle products such as hearing aids, fax machines, teletext broadcasting receivers, vibrating alarm clocks, flashing lights that notify the visitors, and beds with vibrating mattress. The space is designed to enable persons without disabilities to gain many insights by experiencing the “non-hearing” world. It is also a useful space for persons with hearing impairment who are looking for products.
WORLD PIONEER is also active in the area of information provision services, providing cultural talks and supervising TV dramas that feature persons with hearing impairment. The hope that the number of workplaces where persons with hearing impairment can work will increase, and the hope that more workplaces will employ persons with disabilities – such strong wishes are the driving force behind Mr. Nakazono's pursuit.
On the other hand, when it comes to the low retention rate and low level of cooperation among persons with hearing impairment, Mr. Nakazono warns as a peer. Some persons with disabilities develop a sense of victim and in many cases their will to work seems questionable. “You must not excuse yourself that you cannot hear. Work hard and pay tax. As a result, we can realize a society where we feel comfortable to live in.”
In order to motivate persons with disabilities, education that gives “dreams” is necessary. The company's next “dream” is to develop emergency goods to protect persons with disabilities when disasters occur. An aging society will definitely see an increase in the number of persons who have difficulty in hearing. From now on, this company's importance and value will rise further.
