Japan Develops A New Program To Improve Society's Awareness For People With Disabilities

It is a natural instinct for most, if not all, to develop a sense of sympathy to persons with disabilities or special needs kids, since society recognizes their struggles. In fact, they have designated seats in public utility vehicles and trains as well as discount allocations.

However, despite all the efforts to help and recognize special needs children or a person with disabilities, these individuals still suffer discrimination, according to the United Nations Human Rights. Several barriers keep them from participating in the society, while some are denied their rights to employment, education and social protection.

Japan Launches Disability Equality Training

Understanding special needs children is still difficult for some. Perhaps, because they do not get to experience the difficulties, threats and shame that these individuals do. To solve this issue, Japan is developing a program that targets to raise disability awareness among people without disability disorder. 

According to Japan Times, the country is currently working on the program, called Disability Equality Training. This program has since attracted the interest of the universities and municipalities in Japan.

Keio University Makes An Impact

Last February, Keio University organized a training program in Yokohama. Twenty students and officials of the Tokyo Metropolitan government supported the event by taking part in it. It was at the social gathering where government officials were exposed to an empowering and eye-opening film.

The short film showcased a world where non-disabled individuals were discriminated because of their lack of disability disorder. One scene featured the main character being prevented from riding on a bus that was exclusively for wheelchair users only.

Missing The Point

The new program targets people without disabilities to change their perspective about disability. According to Ryokok Yamazi, 46, who uses a wheelchair for mobility, most programs concentrate on how the society should assist people with disabilities. Unfortunately, they missed helping the people without disabilities understand the issue of disability disorder.

Disability Equality Training aims to encourage people to see disabilities in a different perspective. There are no disabilities if people change, barrier-free mind keeps discrimination at bay. For instance, stairs are among the barriers for people who use wheelchairs, but if there are ramps there will be no barriers. Yasushi Nakano, a barrier-free issues specialist aims to spread the said program to universities nationwide.