Cassady Mead
Finding Belonging Beyond Borders & Building for Accessibility
Meet Cassady Mead
Finding Belonging Beyond Borders & Building for Accessibility 🍀
Originally from Tennessee, Cassady Mead is a computer science student at Temple University Japan with a passion for software engineering, game development, and accessibility technology.
Having grown up with hearing loss, Cassady knew that moving to Japan would come with additional challenges, from navigating a new language to adapting to an unfamiliar communication environment. Still, he chose to pursue his education abroad, gaining hands-on software development experience and exploring how technology can make communication more accessible.
What are you currently building?
SignDict, a sign language dictionary app for American Sign Language (ASL) and Japanese Sign Language (JSL). Cassady is helping a friend develop the project, focusing on bringing the app to Android. It combines his interest in software engineering with technology that supports sign language learning and communication.
He's also contributed to FocusHear, a real-time assistive communication platform developed with teammates during a Tokyo hackathon, exploring ways to make conversations more accessible for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
What excites you about Japan?
Finding a stronger sense of belonging while experiencing life abroad. Growing up in Tennessee, Cassady rarely encountered other Asian students and sometimes felt out of place. Living in Japan has brought him closer to his Asian roots and given him a cultural connection he didn't always experience back home.
It's also fulfilled his long-standing wish to live in another country and experience a different way of life.
A risk that changed your trajectory?
Choosing Japan over a more affordable university option in the U.S. Cassady had the opportunity to attend university closer to home at a considerably lower cost. Studying in Japan meant a greater financial commitment, alongside the uncertainty of adapting to a different education system and communication environment.
Despite the possibility of having to return to the U.S. if things didn't work out, he decided the experience was worth the risk.
A habit that has had the biggest impact?
Writing a daily to-do list and completing tasks early. Cassady starts each morning by writing down what he needs to accomplish. This helps him organize his assignments, manage his time, and leave more room for himself. It's a habit he's still working on maintaining consistently, but one that makes a positive difference in his daily life.
Advice for your 20s?
Go out and meet more people. Cassady used to hesitate to approach others, worrying that communication difficulties related to his hearing loss might inconvenience them.
Over time, he realized that people weren't necessarily unwilling to connect. Often, they simply didn't know how to communicate with him. Recognizing this helped him reconsider those interactions and become more open to meeting new people.
Favorite café in Tokyo?
Café Crêperie Le Bretagne in Kagurazaka, a French crêperie recommended by a French friend that won him over with its delicious food.