A Program for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific –Overview–

1. Background and objective

This project has been in operation since 1999 as part of the United Nations' Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (1993-2002) project, with the objective of human resource development who can contribute to the improvement of welfare for persons with disabilities in their countries/regions. Program has unique characteristics that selection is full open recruitment and individual training based on the plan formulated by the trainees themselves. As the 10-month training is conducted in Japanese language(or Japanese sign language) it can help deepen the trainees' understanding of Japan and Japanese culture. After the program, the trainees are expected to work as leaders of their communities, beyond the border of the type of disabilities, regions or countries.

2. Training period: approximately 10 months (early September, to early July of the following year)

3. Trainees recruited from: Asia and the Pacific region (excluding Oceania)

4. Number of trainees: A maximum of 10

5. Terms of application

  1. The applicant is an individual with a disability(ies) who wishes to command a leadership role in future in his/her community.
  2. The applicant should be between 18 and 25 years of age (in principle). Academic background or professional careers are not required.
  3. The applicant can cope with 10 successive months of training in Japan and can adjust to life in Japan.
  4. The applicant can communicate either in Japanese (or Japanese sign language) or in English (or American sign language).
  5. The applicant can take care of himself/herself in day to day living, without any personal assistance.
  6. The applicant can attend interview (s) in his/her country.
  7. The applicant can formulate his/her own training plan and put it into practice.
  8. The applicant can take responsibilities for all risks including unexpected troubles or accidents and have no objections to sign an agreement with JSRPD.

6. Selection process

  1. The executive committee assesses application forms and selects trainee candidates.
  2. The committee members interview the candidates in their respective countries.
  3. The final decision is made by executive committee meeting based on the result of the interviews.

7. Contents of training

1. Japanese language training

For three months after arrival, trainees receive intensive training with the objective of having Japanese conversations (or in Japanese Braille/Japanese sign language).

2. Group training (lectures and visits to organizations)

To understand the current welfare of persons with disabilities in Japan, trainees are to receive lectures and visit organizations related to measures for persons with disabilities, history and current affairs of disability movement, and social environment, education, employment and social services offered to persons with disabilities. Through interactions amongst the trainees and with Japanese people in related organizations, the trainees are expected to improve their leadership skills. They are also to learn how to write reports and proposals and presentation skills.

3. Individual training

Trainees visit facilities and organizations across the country for individual training, based on their needs and areas of interest.

4. Seminars, symposiums and events related to disability

Trainees participate in seminars and symposia hosted by JSRPD or by related organizations, and other disability-related events including National Disabled Persons Sports Meeting, music festivals, receptions, home-stay programs and meetings.

8. Language used during the training

In principle, trainees are expected to communicate in Japanese (or Japanese sign language).

9. Training facilities

During the Japanese language training, trainees are to stay at Toyama Sunrise（National Welfare Center for Disabled Persons）where the Society is located. During the individual training, trainees are to use respective accommodation in each destination.

10. Evaluation of training

  1. At the end of the 3-month Japanese language training, each trainee is to give a presentation in Japanese about their thoughts on life in Japan, lectures and visits to various training institutions.
  2. At the presentation session held just before the end of the entire training period, each trainee is to give a presentation in Japanese about their accomplishments and goals after they return to their countries.
  3. At the end of the training period, each trainee is to submit a report in Japanese, with an assessment of the contents of the training and the knowledge and experiences they gained.
  4. The executive committee and the administrative office are to give a comprehensive summary and evaluation of the training program, based on the trainees' reports and other elements.

11．The hosting organization

The Duskin AINOWA Foundation
http://www.duskin.co.jp/ainowa/

12．The operator of the training program

Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD)
http://www.jsrpd.jp/

13．The project home page

http://www.normanet.ne.jp/~duskin/english/

▲TOP