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June 29, 2007

TRAINING REPORT: Facilitator Skills Ⅱ

June 13 - 14, 2007:
Facilitator Skills Ⅱ
by Mr. Yoshinori IKEZUMI

The participants were looking forward to the second two days session with Mr. Ikezumi. These two days, the participants facilitated 20 minutes sessions individually or in pairs. Topic was free but something that they wanted to discuss with this particular group of participants.

So many different ways of facilitation were demonstrated today. At the end of the day, we took a group photo with Mr. Ikezumi, wishing to meet him again in one day.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0613.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:34 AM | Comments (0)

June 25, 2007

TRAINING REPORT: How to Write Action Plan Ⅰ

June 12, 2007:
How to Write Action Plan Ⅰ
by Ms. Sarajean ROSSITTO

Now we are back from one week regional training trip in Oita. It is already a half way through the 7 weeks training program.

Today was the first day to learn about how to write Action Plan. What is Action Plan? The participants are asked to write what they have learned in Japan and what they are planning to do when they return to home country.

The participants are lucky to have three sessions with Ms. Rossitto this year. Today she explained the topic to be covered in Action Plan one by one and step by step. The participants are asked to bring the first draft to her second session on June 21.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0612.html

Posted by jicafriends at 07:57 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT: Presentation of Inception Report

June 1, 2007:
Presentation of Inception Report

10 course participants presented information on their activities and employment situation of persons with disabilities in their organization, community and/or country.

Mr. Terashima, Mr. Asahi and Mr. Nonaka, three planning committee members participated in turn and gave comments to the participants. The course participants also raised a lot of questions and gave feedbacks to each other. Through information sharing, we could deepen our understanding of each other.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0601.html

Posted by jicafriends at 07:43 PM | Comments (0)

Messege from Ms. Michiko Hatakenaka

Hello JICA Friends,

It had been a great pleasure for me to work for training courses in TIC for Persons with Disabilities.
I learned a lot from all of you as well as from organizers of the training course. I had to move to a new position in JICA's research group in JICA's institute for International Cooperation. My
current work is really different from my previous position as a program officer for training courses but I will not forget what I learned from you.

We all have to work for society for all and I will be a part of it just as you are! I think mostly I learned that we are all different but it is very important that we all work to make our society
comfortable for all of us regardless of our differences.

Thank you so much for giving me a great opportunity and experience! I will sometimes join you in this Website and I wish good luck for all of you!

your friend in Japan,
Michiko Hatakenaka
Ex-JICA program officer for training courses for PWDs.
Researcher, Aid Effective Team, Research Group, Institute for International Cooperation

Posted by jicafriends at 06:22 PM | Comments (3)

June 24, 2007

TRAINING REPORT: Individual Training

June 18 - 19, 2007:
Individual Training

In these two days, the participants took their individual training. They visited different organizations individually or in small groups as the table below. Each participant could explore more on the specific fields of their own interests, deepen their knowledge, and get many more ideas which help their activities on their return home.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0618.html

Posted by jicafriends at 06:01 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT: Local Visit (Day 2)

June 5, 2007:
"Local Visit (Day 2)

In the morning we visited Oita Prefectural Office again to have lecture on governmental efforts toward hosting the 8th National Sports Festival for the Disabled in Oita 2008, which will be held from October 11 to 13, 2008 under the slogan of "In Oita, may smiles and vitality be delivered to all, with or without disabilities, and may Oita be a new starting point for all to create the future together." Mr. Yotsutani, who is in charge of games and venues explained about preparation procedure. JICA participants were amazed to know that so many people with or without disabilities will be involved in this festival.

At lunch time we could watch our news on TV by chance. It was very strange feeling to see us on TV. Are we famous in Oita?

In the afternoon ten participants visited Oita prefectural special school for children with disabilities. It was established in 1954 and is the largest special school in Oita. They observed "work learning" in the senior high school. It aims at developing a sense among students that they become members of society in the future. To that end, the teaching is organized to impart practical knowledge and skills to work, develop a positive attitude required for working, a sense of responsibility, and an attitude of cooperation. In specifics, students are taught basic behaviors/attitudes such as dress codes, time management, greeting, preparation and cleaning.

The school provides various kinds of vocational training such as woodwork, agriculture, pottery making, light work, handicraft, information technology.
Each student can choose their training, however they are not allow to change the subject for a year. This is also a part of work learning.

JICA participants could ask questions and exchange opinions with principal, vice principal and teachers before they left the school.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0605.html

Posted by jicafriends at 05:56 AM | Comments (0)

June 21, 2007

TRAINING REPORT: Local Visit (Day 1)

"Local Visit (Day 1) Leave for Oita Prefecture Courtesy Visit to Prefectural Governor"

Ten participants left Haneda Domestic Airport at 9:40 and flew to Oita Prefecture. 6 nights and 7 days trip has just started.

In front of Oita Domestic Airport minibus with monkeys pictures waited to welcome us. We had one-hour bus drive to the center of Oita city.
The first program was lecture on prefectural policies and measures for welfare and employment of persons with disabilities at Oita Prefectural Government Office. At 3:00 JICA participants had an opportunity to pay a courtesy visit to Governor. Crews from two TV channels and reporters for Oita Godo Newspaper were there to report their visit. Participants looked very nervous to see the Governor at the beginning, however he warmly welcomed us and took a commemorative photo together with participants.

After that they had a lecture on Oita International Wheelchair Marathon
which ws started in 1981, the International Year of Disabled Persons.
Champion of the last year is a Japanese who works for Omron Tiyo. It was the
first time for Japanese to be a champion, so Oita people got so excited
about it.

http://www.wheelchair-marathon.com/

Posted by jicafriends at 06:38 PM | Comments (0)

Vocational Rehab Course Report from Sahudha

Dear jicafriends

We had our individual programs on Monday and Tuesday this week. I found these programs very useful for my project. During the individual programs we were able to get more detailed information on the topics we chose, for instance one of my topic was vocational evaluation, so during the individual program I had a great opportunity to learn about the different components which constitutes vocational evaluation.

Today we visited the NGO JHC network group that provides social and vocational rehabilitation for PWDs with psychiatric problems in the Tokyo prefecture. I was very impressed to see the support services (social skills development, peer counseling, vocational training, sheltered workshops, psychiatric consultation, employment support services are) available for this group of PWDs as we have yet to develop such kind of facilities in our respective countries. The club house movement was very impressive.

Thank you
Best regards
Sahudha

Posted by jicafriends at 02:29 PM | Comments (0)

June 19, 2007

Hello from Iloilo, the Philippines

Dear jicafriends,

How's everyone out there? Though i was not able to keep in touch for a period of time but I have been visiting JICA friends almost everyday. I am so impressed by the training on vocational rehabilitation. Nice to learn about employment of PWDs in Japan. Actually we have a proposal for Employers Forum to advocate for the hiring of qualified PWDs particularly in private establishments in the City of Iloilo. I'll be sending you of some developments soon. Please pray for me that this endeavor will be fruitful, that there will be positive response from employers especially those in the business sector.

Donna (Leaders' Course 2005)

Posted by jicafriends at 06:20 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Facilitator Skills I

Mr. Ikezumi is a famous facilitator who has a lot of experience of working in many Asian countries. This course offers 4 days participatory workshops on facilitator skills by him. Each participant was very much encouraged to give his/her own ideas and so all 10 participants contributed a lot to the session. Mr. Ikezemi’s unique methods were new to the participants and drew the participants attention. Through a lot of exciting and meaningful activities, they learned a lot about facilitator or facilitation.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0530.html

Posted by jicafriends at 01:35 PM | Comments (1)

Vocational Rehab.training report form Sahudha

Dear jicafriends,

We have learned so much from Mr. Ikezumi-san and I have come to understand so much more about facilitation, which is so different than the authoritarian method of teaching. From the 4 day facilitator skills program I have learned so much about the principles of facilitation and I feel more confident in talking in groups. During the 4 day program we even had a chance to practice facilitator skills oursleves which by the way is the best way to learn effective facilitation. I must also add that I learned to give constructive feedback and also learned to receive feedback.

I would also like to share what I was most impressed from our Oita trip.

First of all I would like to say that it was a great honour to have a chance to meet the honourable governer of Oita. Friends I would also like to add that our meeting was aired on Oita news along wiht our interviews. That was very nice.

I was also very impressed to learn about the international wheel chair marathon that Oita has been holding since 1981. PWDs from all over the world visit Oita for this event. Which creats a very enjoybale environment for not only the PWDs but also for all the residents of Oita. The general public are educated as a result of the preparation for such kinds of tournaments.

I was also very impressed and inspired to learn about the "One Village One Product" movement that was initiated in Oita by the former governer. The concept of this project very applicable to any country, even in very poor countries as the key to success is good planning community participation and comittment and self belief. Products are produced by the residents of the perticular cities on what they are famous for and produce high quality goods. The slogan used is "Think globally, act locally".We also had a chance to visit the bamboo crafts center in Beppu city - which is famous for it's bamboo craft not to mention its natural hot springs. The bamboo products were made so beautifully and the products are of such high quality. It was just unreal.

We also visited Japan Sun Industries, which is composed of many joint venture companies, a giant in itself. JSI has joint ventures wiht world famous companies such as Soney, Omron, Honda Mitsubishi and so on. JSI provides social and vocational rehabilitation to PWDs and also provides PWDs job opportunities through it's joint ventures. I was also very impressed to learn that Last years International Wheelchair Marathon is also working in JSI - he is the first Japanese to have won the marathon since its start in 1981. JIS was initiated to provide PWDs with a chance to live an economically and socially independent life ("no charity but a chance" was the slogan behind this initiative) Based on the philosophy that "No one is so disabled as to be unable to work at all" JSI is located in the heart of Beppu City and is not separated by high walls or fences. JSI has it's own Bank and Supermarkert (staffed with high percentage of PWDs) which is open to all the residents of the community. Everything is about JSI is providing PWDs with a natural environment where PWDs can live degnified life in thier community. The gym provides PWDs to participate in recreation activities. I must say that I was over joyed to have a chance to play twin basket ball with JSI employess. It was quite an experience that I will never forget as all of us played in wheelchairs. we really do appreciate JSI for providing us the chace to visit and get valubale information and to use your facilities. It was an unforgettable experience.

The whole trainig has broadend our vision.

And so I would like to share this information with other jica friends.
Thank you
Best wishes
Sahudha

Posted by jicafriends at 09:43 AM | Comments (0)

June 17, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Regular Private Corporations

May 29, 2007:
Visit:
Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Regular Private Corporations
(Yokogawa Electric Co.)

We visited Yokogawa Electric Corporation and its exceptional subsidiary Yokogawa Foundry Corporation to learn about the employment of persons with disabilities in both open labor market and the special affiliated company.

In the morning Ms. Hirata from the human resource department gave us a brief outline on the company. Then she introduced JICA participants to Yokogawa's original vocational aptitude tests and they tried some of them. Some participants started the test before instruction or others gave it up without trying very hard. As you can easily imagine, they were all judged disqualified.

They had an opportunity to meet two employees with disabilities who work in the open labor market. Mr. Hareyama became a wheelchair user when he was a high school student. All JICA participants were very much impressed by his personal history.

In the afternoon she showed us around the company to observe how effectively persons with intellectual disabilities can work. JICA participants could understand even persons with severe disabilities can work well if they have adequate working environment.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0529.html

Posted by jicafriends at 05:35 AM | Comments (0)

June 14, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Lecture on Current Situation of Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Japan

May 25, 2007:
Lecture on Current Situation of Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Japan
by Mr. Masaya ASAHI

The first week had past very quickly and today we had the last lecture of this week.

Today, the participants learned about the current situation of employment of persons with disabilities in Japan. Mr. Masaya ASAHI, a member of Planning Committee, explained about employment in open labor market and sheltered employment. Some of the participants were interested in community based small scale workshops and sheltered workshops but the participants also understood the very importance of employment of persons with disabilities in open labor market.

Lecture material : http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/material/lecture/0528/index.html

After the lecture was a reflection session of this week. Two committee members, Mr. Asahi and Mr. Terashima, were with us and answered the questions raised from the participants.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0525.html

Posted by jicafriends at 01:52 PM | Comments (1)

TRAINING REPORT: Visit to Center and PESO, Lecture

May 24, 2007:
Visit to Chiba Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities
and
Chiba Public Employment Security Office (PESO)
Lecture on Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Japan
by Mr. Yoshihiko NONAKA.

The course participants visited Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities and Public Employment Security Office (PESO) in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture. Both are conveniently located in the same building: 1st to 3rd floor is Public Employment Security Office, and 4th and 5th floor is the Vocational Center.

At PESO, each participant tried the search of job opportunities on computers. Some of the participants were very happy to find a good job with an excellent salary.

In the afternoon, the participants tried 4 types of vocational evaluation tasks. Mr. Yamashina, chief vocational counselor, explained that it is not the time or results that the counselors are evaluating but also the attitude or concentration that the persons with disabilities demonstrate while engaging in the tasks.

After the observation tours, Mr. Yoshihiko NONAKA gave lecture on the Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Japan and also on Job Coach system in more details. This was the second time to receive a lecture by Mr. Nonaka and the participants were very happy to meet him again today.

lecture material: [ PDF file 01 (653KB) , 02 (784KB) , 03 (643KB) , 04 (617KB) , 05 (745KB) ]

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0524.html

Posted by jicafriends at 01:33 PM | Comments (0)

June 13, 2007

Our visit to Oita Prefecture

when we visit to oita prefacture courtesy visit to Governor i was impressed by his speech. he mention about that oita is the best place for pwds. and this oita prefacture they are succeed to get employment for pwds higher than quota. next year they are going to organise wheelchair race for pwds . this event will encourage to participate in social movement.i would like to give thanks to governor to give us time and also for the sending of picture for all participants.
Rama Dhakal(TIC)
Nepal

Posted by jicafriends at 03:04 PM | Comments (0)

Japan Sun Industries

when i visited in japan sun industries i saw that many spinal cord injury people getting job and they are in very high level.they are earning very high level money with their skill. they r not taking pension from government.i really impressed that they r paying all the taxes . so i found that japanese pwds are equally developing their countries. another thing when i saw the movie" winning pass" it was the real character of pwds so we cry lots. and when we went to play wheelchair twin basketball i was impressed by the wheelchair of basket ball and we r very much enjoyed it.what i learned is nothing is impossible for pwds if there is enviormental free barrier and attitudional free barrier. i would like to give thanks to japan sun industries to providing job oppurtinity to physical and sever disabled also. i hope in near future this industries will succed in giving job oppertunity for deaf and blind person.'NOT PITY,NOT SYMPATHY BUT GIVE THEM CHANCE FOR PWDS'.Thanking very much!
.
Rama Dhakal
Nepal

Posted by jicafriends at 02:37 PM | Comments (0)

June 11, 2007

TRAINING REPORT - Visit to NRCD and NVRCD

May 23, 2007: Visit to National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (NRCD)
and
National Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (NVRCD)

Today was the fist visit of this course!

In the morning, we visited National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (NRCD) and observed various programs provided at the center.
The participants could even observe inside the bathroom of the dormitory attached to the center. The bathroom was very spacious and made barrier free. The participants were also excited to see a wide range of prosthesis and orthosis presented in this center.

URL for NRCD: http://www.rehab.go.jp/english/index.html

National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities and National Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities are located in the same site.

In the afternoon, the participants visited National Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities and Mr. Terashima, one of the Planning Committee members, accompanied us in the afternoon. The participants observed various training courses and services offered at the center. The participants were impressed to see the realistic setting of the training course in Hotel Service and Sales offered for the persons with intellectual disabilities. During the visit, they could also observe some assistive devices used by the trainees such as typing aid and mouse with a scroll-ball for computers.

URL:http://www.nvrcd.ac.jp/guide_english.pdf

We finished today's visit with a reflection session with Mr. Terashima. The participants could clarify many questions they had from today's visit and also from previous lectures.

Posted by jicafriends at 12:58 PM | Comments (1)

TRAINING REPORT - Lecture on Process of Vocational Rehabilitation in Japan

May 22, 2007 PM: Lecture on Process of Vocational Rehabilitation in Japan
by Mr. Yoshihiko NONAKA

Back in JICA Tokyo for the afternoon's lecture.

Mr. Nonaka, this afternoon's lecturer, is a member of Planning Committee of this training course. He works for the Vocational Center of Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (JEED), the National Institute of Vocational Rehabilitation.

We learned about major services to assist employment of persons with disabilities and the relevant organizations. Many of participants were especially interested in Job Coach and Trial Employment system in Japan, which seem applicable to their countries. Some participants were surprised to realize the vocational rehabilitation is not about vocational training only.

Mr. Nonaka described the process of vocational rehabilitation in Japan using the charts. With these charts in hand, the participants will be able to see easily which part of the vocational rehabilitation process they are visiting or learning about in the coming up lectures and visits.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0522pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:55 PM | Comments (0)

June 09, 2007

Dear all,

Dear all,

I would like to inform all of us with great condolences that Mr. Topong Kulkanchit, Regional Development Officer at Disabled Peoples' International Asia Pacific Region passed away yesterday. He was one of the most devoted disabled leaders in Thailand. It is very shocking news and also a great loss.

Regards,

The Secretariat of Jicafriends

Posted by jicafriends at 01:17 AM | Comments (4)