Deaflympics: Japan-made light signals used alongside pistols to start races

At the Deaflympics to kick off in Tokyo next week, "start lamps" will be used along with pistols on the racetrack as one of the innovative ways competitions are being adapted for hearing-impaired athletes.Masahisa Takemi, 50, a teacher at Tokyo Metropolitan Chuo School for the Deaf, created the signals to be used at the Nov. 15-26 games. "I want to create an environment where people do not have to give up despite their disabilities," he said.The impetus came over a decade ago when the track and field team that Takemi coached at the public junior and senior high school took part in a meet.Du…READ FULL ARTICLE