February 17, 2010

Training Report : November 13, 2009: Regional Training (Day 6)

In the morning, JICA participants went back to the Peace Memorial Museum to have a lecture by a hibakusha, a survivor of A-bomb.

Even though she became very weak due to a number of surgeries for the after effects of the bomb's radiation, she was very humble and she thanked everyone in the room for giving her this opportunity. She then started explained her unforgettable experience in English.

http://www.hiroshima-spirit.jp/en/index.php

http://www.wagingpeace.org/articles/1999/00/00_matsubara_spirit-hiroshima.php

Through her sincere message all the participants could learn what was really happened in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.

And then participants moved to the different building in the park, where the International Peace Promotion Department, the City of Hiroshima is located, to learn about the A-Bomb and its damage, and the current status of nuclear weapons in the world.

The Director, Peace Promotion Division gave them brief explanation on the main projects of the City of Hiroshima such as testimonies of the A-Bomb experience, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, A-bomb exhibitions overseas, peace information over the Internet, and Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Study Courses. The participants also learned the Hiroshima City's effort to abolish nuclear weapons such as Mayors for Peace, 2020 Vision Campaign etc.

http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/e/peace.html

Before leaving Hiroshima the participants could meet the Mayor of City of Hiroshima, Mr. Tadatoshi Akiba, and they directly learned from him about the Hiroshima's national and international efforts for the nuclear weapon free world.

The three day's visit to Hiroshima gave strong impression to the participants and they surely will bring the “Spirit of Hiroshima” back to home country.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1113.html

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February 09, 2010

Training Report : November 19, 2009 AM: Visit: The Accessible Design Foundation in Japan

In the morning participants visited the Accessible Design Foundation in Japan.

The lecture was started with a question from Section Chief of General Affairs, “All of us use various products, services, and facilities in our daily lives. However, are they really accessible to everyone?” “Can persons with visual impairment distinguish between shampoo bottle and conditioner bottle?” JICA participants nodded no.

And she then continued, “from that point of view, the Accessible Design Foundation (the ADF Japan) started its activities to promote accessibility for all people including older persons and persons with disabilities. In order to promote products, facilities and services that are accessible to every member in the society, the ADF Japan collaborates with other organizations to conduct user surveys and research on the needs of various people. We aim to create a society where each member can live a happy and lively life.”

Some samples of the accessible design products were introduced by her and participants were very impressed to know their efforts to promote accessible designs.

JICA participant started to interest in the concept and asked the following good questions.
“We understood that we could recognize the differences between milk and juice by the notch, however, we still have difficulty to recognize the differences between orange juice and apple juice. Do you have any ideas to distinguish those differences?” “Even if we could recognize the products, how persons with visual impairment get to know the price without any assistance?”
Section Chief was very pleased to hear their opinions and promised them that they will try to solve those problems.

And then a member the foundation who have low vision shared her experience how she developed the accessible designs at her work place.

When she worked for one of the major transport companies in Japan, company faced a problem of the customers with disability.　When a customer was not at home, delivery staff left a message card in the post, however, only contact phone number with message was printed on the card, so that the customers with visual impairment could not recognize what it is. Likewise customers with hearing impairment could not contact delivery staff on the phone.　In order to solve the problem, the company added fax number on the card. As a result the company decided to notch on both sides of the card enable persons with visual impairment understand what it is.

At the beginning you can start from a small change, then the small change will gradually become bigger, she explained to the participants.

After the lecture, participants had an opportunity to touch and try the accessible products for daily use at exhibition room in the foundation.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1119.html

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January 27, 2010

Training Report : November 12, 2009: Regional Training (Day 5)

64 years ago, Hiroshima suffered the world's first atomic bombing. To prevent repetition of such tragedy, the city has sought ever since to covey the facts of the bombing to the world. Website of the City of Hiroshima:
http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/shimin/heiwa/peaceenglish.html

Hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to the A-Bomb in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Despite the tragedy of mankind, innumerable people were still injured or lost their precious lives because of wars or conflicts all over the world. To learn “Disability and War/Conflict,” nine participants visited Hiroshima and today they came to observe the Peace Memorial Museum located inside the Peace Memorial Park.

In the museum participants were guided and received the explanation by three Peace Volunteers who belong to the museum.
They first showed participants the deformed objects such as bottles and roof tiles, melted by the strong heat of the atomic bomb.
Not only participants with visual impairment but others were also allowed to touch them so that they could feel the power of A-bomb.

Then they were divided into three groups to tour the museum. It took them to three hours to see both inside and outside of the museum.
However it was a valuable opportunity for all the participants to think deeply about importance of peace and they all resolved not to possess any nuclear weapons in respective countries.

Story of Sadako: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadako_Sasaki

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1112.html

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January 25, 2010

Training Report : November 6, 2009 PM: Lecture: History and Current Situation of the Movement of the Deaf in Japan

Participants left Tokyo Metropolitan Support Center for the Deafblind for JICA Tokyo to have an afternoon lecture by advisor of Japan Federation of the Deaf.

To break the ice, the lecturer began his lecture with a joke. He first briefly explained about the main activities, major events, and achievements of the movement made by the Japan Federation of the Deaf.

Then he emphasized the biggest problem which persons with hearing impairment have been facing for long time is “communication” with other persons. Therefore, he's been working very hard over 30 years, to promote the training of sign language interpreter, and to expand awareness of importance of sign language interpreters in the society.

He concluded that sign language interpreters are not only for persons with hearing impairment, but they help persons without hearing impairment to communicate with persons with hearing impairment.

Participant asked many questions to the lecturer including how to master sign language, how persons with hearing impairment acquire the driver's license, and how to convince TV stations to provide caption and sign language interpretation services.

Some of the participants had a strong impression that Japanese persons with disabilities are very lucky since they're well taken care by the government, however, they realized through his lecture that the present situation of persons with disabilities in Japan was the result of long-term movements by persons with disabilities.

Participants were empowered a lot by the lecturer and they strongly felt that they could also get the same result in their countries if they worked hard like him.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1106pm.html

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January 20, 2010

Training Report : November 11, 2009: Regional Training (Day 4) - Move to Hiroshima

Participants said “good bye” to Hamamatsu city and moved to Hiroshima by Shinkansen in the morning.
After three-hour train trip they arrived at Hiroshima station. A red sightseeing bus equipped with a lift was waiting for them there to take them to Miyajima ferry landing.

It was a bit chilly and windy day, however participants got excited about visiting Itsukushima Shrine, the sightseeing spot where barrier-free/accessible tourism was promoted.

This shrine a designated national treasure, was built in the architectural style of the Heian period in 593. Later, in 1168, it was rebuild in its current beautiful form. It was selected as one of three beautiful sceneries in Japan and Japanese would love to visit once in a lifetime.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3450.html

The world heritage was remodelled and had ramps to enable wheelchair users come into the shrine. Therefore not only persons with disabilities but also elderly people can easily participate in a tour.
JICA participants were all enjoyed barrier-free sightseeing. and could get ideas how to start barrier-free tourism in respective countries.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1111.html

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January 19, 2010

Training Report : November 10, 2009: Regional Training (Day 3) - WITH in Hamamatsu

Today was the second day in Hamamatsu.

Before leaving the hotel participants together with a committee member did the wrap up session at the lobby of the hotel.

In the morning chairperson of Rokusei Welfare Corporation showed nine participants to the WITH Shijimizuka, community workshop for the elderly with visual impairment. When they arrived there members were singing Japanese songs along with the piano, and of course after introducing themselves participants joined and presented their national songs. WITH Shijimizuka became like a international salon.

By accident a baker with severe disability visited WITH to sell his cookies and cakes. Participants were impressed to see that he drove a car and sold home baked cookies and cakes by himself. He explained them how he started his business and how to make living now.

In the afternoon the piano master, who was the last student of Japanese famous Koto (Japanese harp), master Michio Miyagi, kindly brought Japanese traditional instruments to WITH. The Koto, Shamisen (a three-stringed instrument similar to a banjo) and Shakuhachi (five-holed Japanese bamboo clarinet) were demonstrated by him. This gives participants a chance to learn something about the traditional music and culture of Japan.

At the end of the training program at WITH chairperson gave a brief explanation on the history of small-scale community workshops, and then he summarized points of two-days programs at WITH. He emphasized the importance of “full participation and equality” which was the theme of International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981 as well as the motto of WITH.
In order to realize that a small scale community workshop like WITH is essential.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1110.html

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January 17, 2010

Training Report : November 6, 2009 AM: Visit: Tokyo Metropolitan Support Center for the Deafblind

Participants had an opportunity to visit Tokyo Metropolitan Support Center for the Deafblind.
Deafblinds are those who have impairment in both hearing and vision. There are many patterns to what is called deafblind: a totally deafblind is one who cannot hear or see a thing; “blind and hard of hearing” are those who cannot see anything and have limited hearing; “deaf and low vision” includes those who cannot hear anything and cannot see very well, etc.

Three board members, all deafblinds, kindly came to the center to talk about their personal histories including daily lives, the conditions of disabilities and the purpose of their lives.

Interpreter/personal assistants are able to communicate with deafblinds with finger Braille, tactile sign language, or by verbal language according to the conditions of disabilities. Each board member brought one or two interpreter/personal assistances on that day.

When the board members “listened,” all three were interpreted by finger Braille through interpreters. However, when they “spoke”, one of them used sign language and two others used verbal language mainly, slightly using finger Braille through interpreters.

Participants observed those communications with a curious eye. It was amazing that there were various types of communication skills of the deafblind and those were used according to conditions of disability.

After listening three board member's speeches, participants had a chance to talk with them through interaction among individual. Participants asked how they learned those communications skills, how they managed household tasks such as cooking or doing the laundry, about marriage, and so on. Various questions relating to interpreter/personal assistance were also asked such as expenses for dispatch, roles of assistance, training and license to become assistance. Board members asked questions back to the participants about the situation of the deafblind in participants' countries.
Both participants and board members enjoyed interaction.

It was the first time for most of participants to meet the deafblind. Participants were deeply impressed to know that the deafblind fully enjoyed their own lives in spite of their difficulties in communication.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1106.html

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January 06, 2010

Training Report : November 3, 2009: Visit: Sight World

What is Sight World?

This is the unprecedented and comprehensive event for persons with visual impairments which marks its 4th anniversary.
Visitors could see the exhibition of equipments with the most advanced technology and daily devices for persons with visual impairments.
Additionally, various seminars, forums, workshops and concerts were also held during three-day events.

Participants observed and tried those exhibits that utilize Induction Heating, Ultrasonic beam or the other technologies.
The prices of some of them are more than a million yen.
However, on the other hand, exhibits were not only those advanced devices, but also daily devices which had only small differences with ordinary devices such as notch, projections or Braille seals.
Those little ingenuities made devices useful for persons with visual impairments.

All participants were very surprised at the latest technologies and could know useful ideas of devices for persons with visual impairments.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1103.html

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Training Report : November 9, 2009: Regional Training (Day 2) - WITH in Hamamatsu

In the morning nine participants visited WITH, small-scale community workshop for persons with visual impairments run by Rokusei Welfare Corporation. Not only JICA participants but three students from school for the blind and a student from regular junior high school also visited WITH as a part of their integrated study programs. To begin with, JICA participants, members of WITH, and students introduced themselves individually and then members welcomed visitors with songs.

After that chairperson explained why he established WITH in Hamamatsu city and what kinds of difficulties persons with visual impairments are facing in Japan.
Most of children with visual impairment spend their daily lives at the blind schools and they seldom have opportunities to communicate with other persons outside the schools. It discourages and prevents them from participating in the society.
Therefore WITH encourages and empowers them to go out and work together with other people without disabilities.

At lunch time Sri Lankan curry was prepared and as you could imagine easily a participant from Sri Lanka cried for that.

In the afternoon chairperson showed them how to make a white cane and how to provide the mobility training, then he explained the importance of using the white canes.

Participants learned so many things in a day, and they were all fully satisfied.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1109.html

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December 24, 2009

Training Report : November 8, 2009: Regional Training (Day 1)

Today is the first day of 5 nights and 6 days trip.

Nine participants were all excited about riding a super express train, Shinkansen between Tokyo and Hamamatsu, it was just one and half hour trip, however they all enjoyed experience one of the fastest train in the world.

After arriving Hamamatsu participants quickly checked in the hotel and went to “Zaza City, ” one of the biggest shopping complexes in Hamamatsu. Various kinds of products from small scale community workshops were displayed there for spot sale. Participants met Chairperson of Rokusei Welfare Corporation there since the facilities of Rokusei also exhibited their hand-made products such as potpourri balls, post cards made by recycling paper, owl shaped deodorizers, Zori (Japanese sandals) and so on. The exhibition was held not only for selling the products but also for drawing the attention of citizens.

Then Chairperson showed them IT support corner which is run by Hamamatsu city. It is located in the annex building together with Public Security Employment Support Center, Employment Support Center for Persons with Disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitation Center, Communication Plaza, and etc...

Participants were surprised to see different types of assistive devices for personal computers there and comprehensive services for persons with disabilities provided by Hamamatsu city. However Hamamatsu city is now thinking about terminating the programs of communication plaza including IT support corner. So participants also left their message on the board.

When it finished it was already eight o’clock and some of the participants nearly fainted from hunger.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1108.html

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December 22, 2009

Training Report : November 4, 2009: Visit: Kodaira Genkimura (‘Genki’ means vigor and ‘mura’ means village)

On 4th November, participants visited Kodaira Genkimura in Kodaira City to learn about the current situation of persons with mental disabilities in Japan.

In the morning, participants received lecture about basic knowledge of persons with mental disabilities by Director of Community Living Support Center ‘Asayake’.

Since some of the participants never had an opportunity to learn about mental disabilities, participants asked a dozen of questions to the Director.

In the afternoon, mayor of Kodaira City arrived at Kodaira Genkimura to give a welcome speech to the participants. Participant from Jamaica returned thank-you speech on behalf of the other members.

Thereafter, two members of Clubhouse Habataki related their personal experiences after developing their illnesses to the participants. They explained the symptoms brought on by illnesses, lives in the mental hospital, and society and family's attitudes towards persons with mental disabilities. They lastly emphasized how they could be calm down and get settled after becoming members of Clubhouse Habataki.
One of the members concluded his speech with following word, “My dream is to make a happy family of my own in the future. Though I have a mental disability I will not be defeated by the illness and would like to get a full-time job.” Every one in the room was empowered by their stories.

At the end of the day, the participants and members of Habataki exchanged opinions and discussed the situation of persons with mental disabilities in each country.
It was a valuable opportunity to learn about mental disabilities through the lecture and interaction with Habataki members.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1104.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:05 PM | Comments (0)

Training Report : November 5, 2009: Movements by Persons with Disabilities

Participants heard lecture about the movements by persons with disabilities in Japan. Lecturers were the president and a young leader from Human Care Association, the first independent living center(CIL) in Japan.

At first, the young leader gave brief outline of the organization and its activities, such as Independent Living program and peer counseling. The organization invites trainees from Asian countries in order to develop IL program, peer counseling system and peer counselors in the developing countries.
Then, he let participants think what is the meaning of being independent, and he explained about the transition of its definition;
medical model to social model. There he emphasized that the most important concept of being independent is self-determination with responsibility.

Next, the president of Human Care Association gave lecture about the history of independent living centers, their movements to change society, and their community involvement activities. He brought the concept of CIL from the United States and started the movement in Japan about 25 years ago. At that time, most of the people told him that the concept would not fit with Japanese culture, but starting with opening the first IL center in Hachiouji city in 1986, CIL was gradually accepted by the local community, and finally achieved to establish CIL in every prefecture in Japan.
He explained the strategy of policy proposals to city, provincial, and national governments, how to request them to be successful.
There was lively Q&A session because each participants are facing with difficulties changing society in their countries, especially for participants who are working at government and NGO.

After that, participants visited the office and received briefing, then visited the apartment room of the person who is practicing the independent living regardless of severe disability, and received explanation about actual daily living from him.

It was really beneficial for participants to hear from the people who directly involved in the movement. Each words from the president were very strong and gave a big impact on participants.
It seemed participants found a great role model to be a good leader.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1105.html

Posted by jicafriends at 06:46 PM | Comments (0)

December 17, 2009

Training Report : October 30, 2009: Workshop: Human Rights and Advocacy

Today was the second day of two-day workshops.
And of course it began with the song “Kono Machiga Sukisa (I like this town).”
All participants already remember the song and sang it all together.

In the morning nine participants had opportunities to think about “medical model and social model,” “what is disability,” and “who are persons with disabilities.”

We are human beings!
Therefore, we have human rights!!
Facilitators' strong massages reached nine participants. And experiences, opinions, and comments were actively exchanged among participants.
In the afternoon, all participants together with three facilitators went to Hibiya Park, which is located in front of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, to observe the “October 30 Forum. ” More than 20,000 people from all over Japan gathered to call for the abolition of the Law for supporting independence of persons with disabilities.

Nine participants were impressed by not only the number of persons with disabilities but also the fervor of audiences. Persons with severe disabilities took part in the forum and raised their voices.
Yes, “nothing about us without us!”
After returning to JICA Tokyo they did feed back and overview of two-day workshops and closed the workshop with the theme song.

[Japanese]

Kono machiga sukisa
Kimiga irukara
Kono machiga sukisa
Kimino hohoemi arukara

[English]

You know I love this town
Because (name) is here
You know I love this town
‘Cause (name)’s smile is here

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1030.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:22 PM | Comments (0)

Training Report : October 29, 2009: Workshop: Human Rights and Advocacy

This workshop was originally developed by a group under the leadership of Nancy Fitzsimons-Cova, Assistant Professor, Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, in the United States. Protection & Advocacy Japan (PAJ) introduced this program to Japan. And the Human Rights Committee of the Japan Council on Independent Living Centers modified it for persons with disabilities under the supervision of PAJ.

Members of the Human Rights Committee modified it again for JICA Leadership Development Program of Persons with Disabilities. And it has been included in the training program since 2007.

Today was the first day of two-day workshops, nine participants learned “What is Abuse, ” “Why is it difficult to stand against abuse,” and “Empower the diminished mind. In this way, you can stand against abuse.”

We often use the words, “Human Rights” and “Advocacy.” However we sometimes do not notice when we are abused, neglected or discriminated. So Three facilitators explained those situations by using role-plays.

“Human Rights and Advocacy” workshop began with a song “Kono Machiga Sukisa (I like this town)” and it is often used as a theme song for this workshop.

All participants love this song. Especially they love to sing it in Japanese!

[Japanese]

Kono machiga sukisa
Kimiga irukara
Kono machiga sukisa
Kimino hohoemi arukara

[English]

You know I love this town
Because (name) is here
You know I love this town
‘Cause (name)’s smile is here

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1029.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:18 PM | Comments (0)

December 16, 2009

Training Report : November 2, 2009: Participatory Workshop: Leadership Skills Ⅲ

Today was the last day of three-day participatory workshop.
In the morning session, one of participants volunteered as a facilitator.
She let rest of participants divide by 3 groups and present role-playing about disability issues. Each group chose very interesting topic and participants gave useful feedbacks.

In the afternoon session, participants talked about what they have learned in the whole workshops. Many of them said that they have deeply influenced by the lecturer as leaders and have been fascinated with his personality through the workshop.

Although the lecturer never showed direct answers to participants, each of them found their own ideas to be a good leader. The lecture's unique methodology is not easy to imitate, but his essence will spread in many countries and live forever!

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1102.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:20 PM | Comments (0)

December 15, 2009

Training Report : October 28, 2009: Participatory Workshop: Leadership Skills Ⅱ

As the second day of three-day participatory workshops, participants learned important principles/concepts as a facilitator.
To deepen its understanding, participants presented role-playing in pairs, then gave feedback each other.

Participants sincerely enjoyed the visual materials prepared by the lecturer, and some of them was very impressed saying “his method is effective and applicable in my country!”

Since good relationship with the lecturer has already been created from the previous session, participants were easy to get involved into the workshop, and this attitude helped enhancing their awareness.

Everyone seemed they can not wait for joining the next workshop!
The last part of the workshop will be on 2nd November.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1028.html

Posted by jicafriends at 05:32 PM | Comments (0)

December 07, 2009

Training Report : October 26, 2009: Workshop: How to Write Project Plan

At the end of the training course, each participant is required to submit
Project Plan by applying what they learned in Japan.
Some of the participants already had experience of writing projects plans
and also obtaining funds, however it was the first time for most of the
participants to set up projects and draw up plans.

Three days workshops is programmed on project plan writing and presentation
skill during the training program. Consultant for Nonprofit NGO Project and
Organizational Development is a nonprofit NGO consultant with background in
the human rights issues in Asia and she gives these workshops.
She explained the following 12 items to be covered in Project Plan required
by JICA.

1. Name, organization and country

2. Title of your plan / proposal

3. Background: local issues, needs statement and preconditions
4. Overall Goals
5. Concrete Objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Impact on beneficiaries
8. Project implementation plan: step by step outline & description,
including schedule and timeline
9. Monitoring and evaluation
10. Possible obstacles to Project plan implementation
11. Budget needed, how to raise funds
12. Impact of this training: how this training contributes to your Project
Plan

She showed the participants how to write by using former participants' good
practices, such as "Bakery in Bhutan."
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/bhutan/001jigme/002.html
The participants brought their computers to the classroom and they started
drafting their project in the class. It was an intensive whole-day. workshop
but the participants could improve their writing skills.
The second workshop is programmed for December 20 and the participants are
asked to bring their draft project paper in word and also to prepare their
presentation materials.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1026.html

Posted by jicafriends at 06:26 PM | Comments (0)

Training Report : October 24, 2009: Presentation: Personal / Organizational Report

The personal/organizational report presentation was held from 10 am to 5 pm at JICA Tokyo today.
Nine participants made presentations on their personal history and organization which they belong to.

Since it was open to the public, more than thirty audiences, including committee members, JICA officers, Duskin trainees, some lecturers of this course, and officers from non govermental organizations in the field of disability and development issues, took part in the presentation.
Japanese/English interpreters as well as Japanese sign language interpreters were prepared to secure equal information.

Today the participants as well as Japanese personnel could learn about the current situation of persons with disabilities in each coutry and deepen understanding of each other. Furthermore, participants could build a bond through today's presentation.

Personal/Organization Report 2009

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1024.html

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

Training Report : October 21, 2009: Participatory Workshop: Leadership Skills 1

Today nine participants had the first part of participatory workshops about
leadership skills.
The facilitator, conducted the workshop by thinking together through the
dialogue with all participants.
In the workshop the participants discussed about the meaning of
ability/disability and what factor makes one a person with disability.

Every participants already had their different opinions about disability,
but due to lecturer's facilitation using pictures and
parables, there was lively discussion and many of the participants came up
with new ideas.

Everyone seemed enjoying the workshop very much and good atmosphere was
created as an introductory part.

The second part of the workshop will be on 28th October.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1021.html

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December 01, 2009

Training Report : October 27, 2009: Visit: Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Centers for the Disabled

In the morning, the lecturer, Deputy-Director, Sports Support Division explained about the outline and main activities of the center.

Lecture Material : Persons with disabilities and Sports Speculations from the Management of Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Centers for the Disabled

Thereafter, participants observed facilities of the center such as Training Room, Swimming pool, Playground, Tennis Courts, Sports Ground.

They also observed various sports for persons with disabilities and its devices.

Participants met some sports such as Boccia, Target Bird Golf, Javelic Throw for the first time.

Those facilities and devices were specially designed to adjust to the characteristics of various types of disabilities, making easy-to-use for them.

In addition, there was at least one staff presented at each facility, so that people could enjoy sports even if people visit the center alone or they did not have any experiences of those sports before.

In the afternoon, participants had experienced more than three or four sports based on each interest.

They enjoyed wheelchair tennis, sound table tennis, table tennis, target bird golf, gym, and race wheelchair.

That was so much fun!

After having experiences of sports, lecturer told the story of a member.

There was a person came to the center with the purpose of rehabilitation at the beginning. Through rehabilitation at the center, he recovered his confidence and he was encouraged to return to his place of work. After he returned to work, he kept a dedication to the promotion of sports for persons with disabilities.

Sport has a power, not only for enjoyment or rehabilitation but also for empowerment and social participation of persons with disabilities.

Lecturer demonstrated to make some devices by utilizing simple materials that were also available in participants' home.

He showed how to make Flying Disc by using old newspapers.

He also made a basketball that makes sound, by wrapping it around with a plastic bag. He said that it was also difficult for the center to purchase expensive equipments and devices. For this reason, we can substitute available resources with originality and ingenuity.

He hoped that participants could get at least one idea that they could bring back to their own countries from today's experience.

Participants could gain confidence to apply some ideas after returning home.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1027.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:40 PM | Comments (0)

November 19, 2009

Training Report : October 23, 2009: Lecture: Welfare Service and Systems for Persons with Disabilities Ⅱ - from the perspectives of persons with disabilities

Since the Japanese government has changed and The Democratic Party of Japan took power today's lecturers became very busy for abolishing the Law for Supporting Independece of Persons with Disabilities and creating a new comprehensive law for persons with disabilities based on the concept of CRPD.

In the morning Secretary General of Japan National Assembly of Disabled Peoples' International (DPI-Japan) started his lecture by introducing the outline of DPI and then sharing his own childhood experiences in an institution with the participants.

Lecture material : Policies for Persons with Disabilities in Japan from the Viewpoint of a Person with a Disability

In the afternoon staff of DPI first lectured on the movements of persons with disabilities by showing the video about the transportation barrier-free movement in the 1980's. Then He explained about the shift from medical model to social model, the development of the independent living movement and postwar policies for persons with disabilities, the International Year of Disabled Persons and dissemination of the idea of normalization. It was only from the late 1990's to early 2000's when the support for the community life or independent living in the actual systems and services started.

Through their lectures, the participants could learn that the current welfare services and systems were not available for persons with disabilities from the beginning. But the movements and involvement of persons with disabilities over the last 50 years had played important roles in their development.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1023.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:10 PM | Comments (0)

November 04, 2009

Training Report : October 20, 2009 : AM: Accessibility Check in Tokyo Metropolitan City PM: Lecture: “Aiming at realization of a barrier-free society”

In this morning, the participants were divided into 3 groups for accessibility check of public transportation and building in Tokyo Metropolitan City.

They were heading for 3 different famous sites in Tokyo.

Group 1: Ferris wheel “Big O”
Participants from, Namibia, Jamaica and Saint Lucia

Group 2: Roppoongi - Tokyo Midtown
Participants from Laos, Pakistan, and Fiji

Group 3: Hachiko (Hollywood movie titled “Hachi” was modeled after this dog)
Participants from Sri Lanka, Philippines and Kazakhstan

On the way to the destinations, participants checked and experienced various barrier-free facilities provided for persons with disabilities.

There are Braille block tiled on the platform or on the street.

Platform gate which prevent persons fall down from platform.

Those facilities are very helpful for persons with visual impairments when they walk outside alone.

There are also services and facilities available for persons who use wheelchairs.

Train staff prepared a portable ramp to assist wheelchair users to get on and off a train.

Participants from Sri Lanka, Philippines and Kazakhstan had an opportunity to ride on a non-step bus.

Some participants had the impression that people are able to go anywhere by themselves in Japan.

In the afternoon, Board member, Japan National Assembly of Disabled People's International (DPI-Japan), gave lecture on “boarding rejection” of flat-type wheelchair user with severe disability to introduce about the reality of what is occurring in Japan.

From lecturer's own experiences, he said that he did not feel sadness when he could not get on a bus which was not wheelchair-accessible.

However, he was very chagrined when he could not get on a bus which was wheelchair-accessible.

He raised a question, “How do you feel if you are not allowed to use facilities which are accessible and barrier-free”. “What is to say, the right to get around using public transport is violated by the arbitrary policies of bus companies.”

The lecturer advised that the important point to promote barrier-free society was, to reflect opinions of persons with disabilities themselves in the process of making laws and policies.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1020.html

Posted by jicafriends at 05:15 PM | Comments (0)

October 31, 2009

Training Report : Oct. 22, 2009 Peer Counseling and Peer Support

On the day of October 22, the participants learned a new method of counseling. It was “Peer Counseling for people with disability.”

Peer counseling is to empower each other (peer) by listening to each other, releasing emotions, sharing the same amount of time without giving advice or denial. And it is important that you don't reveal any story you heard during counseling.

Peer counseling assumes that we all have the following philosophy: all human beings have creativity, wisdom, love, joy, and solidarity in abundance. This philosophy, an intrinsic part of all human beings, is easy to upset; therefore, in order to protect ourselves, we prepare defensive mechanism like fear and insecurity. As long as we are unable to discuss these hurt feelings and be comforted, we make decisions and take action based on our hurt feelings and sorrow rather than on clear, logical thought.

As long as these hurt feelings are not resolved by talking with someone else, the person's actions are filled with anguish and clear, rational thinking does not take place.

The participants seemed to be perplexed in the beginning because it was entirely the new method for all of them. But as the program was preceded, they became to be curious to know about it.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1022.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:44 PM | Comments (0)

October 27, 2009

Training Report : October 19, 2009 PM : Welfare Services for Persons with Disabilities in Japan

After lunch nine participants left JICA Tokyo to receive the first lecture at the Ministry of Labor, Health and Welfare.

On the way to the ministry they passed by Imperial Palace, Supreme Court, National Police Agency, and National Theatre of Japan.

The ministry is located in Kasumigaseki, where you can find most of Japan's cabinet ministry headquaters.

The lecture was about the Welfare Services for Persons with Disabilities in Japan, given by Special Advisor, in the field of welfare for persons with disabilities. He gave a comprehensive explanation on the topic, including historical development of welfare services for persons with disabilities, definition of disabilities, certificate of persons with disabilities, measures for persons with disabilities, assistive devices, income security, measures related education and employment. Thus participants could gain an overall understanding of the welfare services for persons with disabilities in Japan.

Before going back to JICA Tokyo, nine participants had an opportunity to take a picture in front of the National Diet of Japan.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1019pm.html

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Training Report : October 19, 2009 : Program Orientation

Program Orientation was followed after the opening ceremony.

Most of the core members of Leadership Development Course, such as nine participants, course leader and three planning committee members of the program and JICA officers, JICE coordinators, and JSRPD staff gathered at seminar room 18.

Chairperson of Planning Committee gave a power point presentation on the overview of the course.

Lecture Material :
Welcome to the training course in Leadership Development of Persons with Disabilities

Also the resource book and some additional information were provided. All the people who were present there introduced themselves including some personal information and we got to know each other a little bit more.

All of us are looking forward to collaborating together and learning a lot from each other during the coming 7 weeks.

We could get off to a good start!

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l101902.html

Posted by jicafriends at 05:33 PM | Comments (0)

October 21, 2009

Training Report: October 19, 2009 Opening Ceremony

Opening ceremony for Leadership Development Course 2009 was held at JICA Tokyo on 19th of October.

Welcome Speeches were addressed by Director of Human Development Division, Tokyo International Center, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and then by Secretary General, Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD).

After the ceremony the participants took pictures in front of the national flags.
Their training will be reported on this web page.

Posted by jicafriends at 07:00 PM | Comments (0)

October 16, 2009

Nine participants of Leadership Development Course 2009

Dear jicafriends,

We are very happy to inform you all that nine participants from Philippines, Lao PDR, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Saint Lucia, Namibia, and Pakistan arrived in Japan safely and they are now ready to take the training program, which is going to start from October 19, Monday.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/schedule.html

We will report their training to you on this website.
Your comments will be most welcome!

The secretariat of jicafriends

Posted by jicafriends at 06:54 PM | Comments (0)

October 15, 2009

Special training before JICA Leadership Development Course 2009

Special training of assistance for persons with disabilities was conducted on 9th October organized by JICA Tokyo international center.

Ms. Yoko Sadaie Program officer of Human Development Division, JICA Tokyo, and Ms. Masako Okuhira, Manager of International training section of JSRPD, were invited as lecturers.

The training aimed to provide basic knowledge of assistance for persons with visual impairments and persons who use wheelchairs to people who worked for JICA TOKYO, in order to enhance support of training participants with disabilities. 15 persons participated in the training, practiced how to push wheelchairs at difference in level on street, and how to guide persons with visual impairments at stairs or on the Braille blocks.

That was the first of its kind of experience for most of participants.

At the beginning, participants tried very gingerly, however, they grasped the techniques gradually by hands-on experience.

Ms. Sadaie and Ms. Okuhira both emphasized that the most important point of assistance was, to ASK needs of persons who will be assisted.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1009.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:14 PM | Comments (0)

October 07, 2009

Training Report : July 13, 2009 Visit: JHC Itabashi, Employment of Persons with Mental Disabilities

Five participants visited a non profit organization “Joint House Cosmos, Itabashi,” which was established in 1983 to support independent living and social participation of persons with mental disabilities. One of the planning committee members acts as Board Vice Chairperson of the organization. They have been conducting their activity to provide facilities as the base (House) where any one as a resident exchanges (Joint) with harmony (Cosmos).

At first JICA participants visited the Clubhouse Sun Marina. Board Chairperson of JHC lectured on the outline of the organization, and Chief of welfare department of Itabashi Ward explained the welfare policies, services, and activities for persons with mental disabilities.

The members of Sun Marina cook their lunch everyday for themselves. When they plan the lunch menu they pay attention to the nutritional balance and display the foods.

Members specially cooked lunch for JICA participants and they enjoyed eating together.

In the afternoon, participants visited two sheltered workshops, “Akatsuka(means name of the place)” and “Cosmos (means name of flower as well as harmony)”.

At Akatsuka the members produce and sell pastries such as cakes, jellies and cookies and they also operate tea room. At Cosmos the members not only operate restaurant but they deliver lunch boxes to the elderly people living in the neighborhood. They can learn vocational skills, at the same time they get opportunities to interact with people in the community through those activities.

The member who has been belonging to Cosmos for 14 years said keeping good relationship with other members is a key for him to work comfortably. The other member said that he could keep regular habits and he became healthier, since he started to come to Sun Marina everyday.

Participants were impressed and understood the characteristics of JHC and importance of networking with community people.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0713.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:38 PM | Comments (0)

Training Report : July 10, 2009 Cocoron (Local visit: day 6)

Early in the morning five participants visited Cocoroya to observe how farm producers deliver their products or processed foods. They deliver, put the price, and set out their products on the wooden shelves. They all know what to do without any assistants. The revenue from selling is increasing and Cccoroya is existing as part of a commonplace for community.

Then participants visited the farmhouse. Two members of Cocoron are gaining OJT at the farm. When participants arrived they were picking eggplants. Owner of the farmhouse invited JICA participants to his house and they could ask questions and exchanged opinions with him.

Then they visited a hospital where Cocoron member is employed. He first gained OJT with support of job coach and the hospital just recently decided to employ him. JICA participants had an opportunity to meet director general and head nurse who are in charge of him.

Before going back to Cocoron they went to Sake breweries “Ooki Daikichi”. They are a great supporter of Cocoron and they participate together to the three-year project on “Revitalization of the Village Mountains” as part of the community building activity. In this project three parties were involved such as Horticulture center in Shirakawa city, Sake breweries “Ooki Daikichi” and Cocoron. The activities are rice-planting, weeding in a rice field and harvesting. People with disability have participated in this project with persons without disabilities. In Japan the increased abandonment of rice field is becoming serious issue. But with a good plan and activity such problems could be solved.
Ooki Daikichi also employs four persons with disabilities at their sake breweries and they distribute their merchandise to Cocoron. Participants were invited to the owner's house, which is a traditional Japanese architecture. They enjoyed having lunch and nice conversation with the owner.

JICA participants had a feedback session at Cocoron. Participants got many good ideas which they can apply to their countries. Especially they could learn the spirits of Cocoron and they were very much encouraged to work for persons with mental disabilities in respective countries.

Five participants left Shin-Shirakawa with innumerable beautiful memories of Fukushima Prefecture.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0710.html

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October 06, 2009

Training Report : July 9, 2009 Cocoron (Local visit: day 5)

In the morning five participants visited Prefectual Kennan (Southern part) Health and Welfare Office to learn about the welfare and health services provided by the Prefectual government.

Then they moved to “Nagomi-no-ie (House of Comfort),” a Community Activity Support Center. 20 members welcomed five participants with big smiles. They engaged in subcontract job, Yamato home-delivery service, food processing work. It is located in front of Prefectual Kennan Health and Welfare Office. Five participants became very interested in the setting of this support center, which is quite applicable in their countries.

Before lunch they stopped by “Challenge shop Nikoniko-ya (smile a sweet smile),” where fresh vegetable, products and food items from neighboring shops including Cocoro-ya and Nagomi-no-ie are sold. Cocoron sent staff there to support selling items. People living in the neighborhood come not only for buying things but also for chitchatting. Participants nibbled here and there and became so hungry and they rushed to “Cocoro-ya” for lunch.

Healthy lunch boxes were prepared for participants. While eating, Managing Director of Cocoron explained why and how she overcame difficulties and started Cocoroya in Izumizaki village. After establishing Cocoron, the next step was to build a sheltered workshop, but condition is hard and no fund. Izumizaki village has a population of 6,700. Its main industry is agriculture. Cocoron thinks about anything connected to agriculture. Cocoron opened the Cafe and Shop ccalled Cocoroya to sell products what farmers produce. Lunch and sweets with products sold are served. Cocoroya became popular as it was introduced in a newspaper and TV. Cocoroya also goes selling by a car at a housing complex. The revenue from selling is increasing. Cccoroya is existing as part of a commonplace for community.

After lunch they went to Cocoron to take Japanese calligraphy lesson together with the members of Cocoron. Cocoron organizes the Japanese calligraphy lesson in order to learn how to concentrate or how to settle down. A writing master comes to Cocoron once a month as a volunteer. Participants from China and Malaysia know how to write Chinese character but it was a first experience for others. They all enjoyed and could create friendship between members and participants.

After the feedback session, they observed a group home as the last program of the day. It was newly built for members to promote their self-independence. It takes only two minutes from Cocoron, so members can go and back from Cocoron whenever they want to. They have an individual room to keep their privacy; however they eat breakfast and dinner together.

http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0709.html

Posted by jicafriends at 07:38 PM | Comments (0)

September 18, 2009

Training Report : July 8, 2009 PM : Cocoron (Local visit: day 4)

After lunch five participants moved to Izumizaki village where Cocoron, a living support center for persons with mental disability is located.

Director of Cocoron explained about the facilities and activities as follows;

Cocoron was established in Izumizaki village in Fukushima Prefecture in March in 2004 as the center to support living of persons with mental disability in the community. At that time there were very few facilities which are unable to cover the area of population with 150,000 in the southern part of Fukushima Prefecture. The name “Cocoron” was selected from the public. Two years prior to the establishment of Cocoron NPO was set up with people from different field including a medical doctor of mental illness for the preparation of the formation of the center to support people with mental disability who return to the society. It started from counseling service for persons with mental disability and their family members who have had difficulty in the community. People with mental disability need a place to get counseling service anytime, and people’s understanding. Then they may feel release and security. Based on such needs, Cocoron aims to support the community as a whole so that people with and without disability can live with security. With the support of Fukushima Prefecture Cocoron organized the workshop on community building and networking, inviting a resource person outside of the village.

After that five participants were invited to present their job reports to the members of Cocoron. Many questions and comments were given to them and the members could learn about the employment situations of persons with disabilities in participants' countries.

At night a welcome party was held at Cocoron and more than 60 people including Mayor and workers of Izumizaki village and supporters in the community came to see and talk to JICA participants. A lot of foods and drinks were prepared by supporters and laid out on the table. Participants could have a lively conversation with community people. It was a wonderful and memorable night!

http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0708pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:24 PM | Comments (0)

Training Report : July 8, 2009 : Samegawa Tampopo-no-ie (Local visit: day 4)

In the morning five participants went to “Madeiniya,” Udon noodle shop, which is managed by Tampopo-no-ie and located in the corner of the big shopping mall ground. Users of Tampopo-no-ie work there as serving staff.

At first Director asked them their impression of Tampopo-no-ie. Most of the participants gave her positive feedbacks. In Tokyo they had opportunities to learn the measures and policies for employment promotion of persons with disabilities and they also had chances to visit facilities for vocational rehabilitation and companies where persons with disabilities were employed, however it seemed hard for them to adapt the systems and methods to their work places in home countries.

On the contrary the lectures and observations at Tampopo-no-ie were very meaningful and useful to them. Since it is located in the remote area surrounded by the mountains and there aren't any big companies where persons with disabilities are able to work, the environment is quite similar to the ones in their home countries. They had confidence in creating the work places for persons with disabilities if they could make tireless efforts. JICA participants could get many keys to success from the Tampopo-no-ie activities.

Before leaving five participants enjoyed Madeiniya noodles and understood why Tampopo-no-ie can sell noodles very well. Because Very oishii!

http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0708.html

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September 15, 2009

Training Report : July 7, 2009 : Samegawa Tampopo-no-ie (Local visit 3)

Today five participants left the hotel early in the morning to observe an actual work site of the users of Tampopo-no-ie, the small workshop for making Udon noodles. Before the observation they were requested to put white uniforms, caps and masks on for hygiene control. Users were so skillful that it's difficult for participants to distinguish the users from the staff. They learned that persons with intellectual disabilities could be workforce when the working environment was properly arranged.

Before lunch participants visited Samegawa Village Office to make a courtesy call on Village Mayor. Deputy Mayor and Chief of Welfare Section also attended the meeting.

Outline of the village as well as five-year welfare plan were explained by Deputy Mayor. Participants asked many questions about welfare system and services for persons with disabilities in Samegawa Village.

According to Deputy Mayor Samegawa village has population of 4,218 and among those there are 216 persons with physical disabilities, 11 with mental disabilities, and 53 with intellectual disabilities. Most of persons with intellectual disabilities are users of Tampopo-no-ie, and Mayor of the village showed his appreciation to Director of Tampopo-no-ie.

After lunch participants joined the field work, digging potatoes with users. Tampopo has just finished ingathering pumpkins for producing Shochu, distilled spirits. Everyone enjoyed working outside and satisfied their harvests. Two participants from Nepal experienced indoor-work, making paper carrier-bag together with users.

All JICA participants were impressed by the users' productivity and accuracy.

On the way back to the hotel they stopped over at the hydroponically-cultivated tomato farm. Then there they found out wheelchair users can work in the farm.

http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0707.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:23 PM | Comments (0)

August 26, 2009

Training Report : July 6, 2009 : Samegawa Tampopo-no-ie (Local visit 2)

In the morning participants visited the beginning place of Samegawa Tampopo-no-ie (Samegawa house of dandelion) in Samegawa village. “Samegawa Tampopo-no-ie”, had remodeled the building of the Maternal and Child Health Center of Samegawa Village, rented it for free, and opened in April 2003. They started with a total of 20 users including 17 users from the inside of Samegawa. The building was made of wood and constructed 46 yeas ago, and the site of the facility was designated as a steep-slope dangerous zone by Fukushima Prefecture. When they had a bad weather or an earthquake, they were often seized with anxiety. Under such circumstances they started Tampopo-no-ie, a sheltered workshop for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Participants were asked to think how they could create the work opportunities for users with physical and intellectual disabilities and support their living under the same circumstances. They beat their brains, utilized their knowledge and experiences to develop the plan through a head-to-head discussion. Before leaving the facility staff of Tampopo-no-ie gave them hints to open the door.

And then they moved to the present Tampopo-no-ie.

After the lunch JICA participants learned how Tampopo-no-ie developed and expanded their projects for providing work places. Manager explained not only the background but also the process to success. She also showed them several kinds of popular products of Tampopo-no-ie.

On the way going back to the hotel, they made a short visit at Temame-kan, a community shop, where local vegetables and processed products made by villagers are sold. Participants could learn how Tampopo-no-ie interacts with village people and utilizes the network established in the community.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0706.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:22 PM | Comments (0)

August 20, 2009

Training Report : July 5, 2009 : Move to Fukushima Prefecture (Local visit 1)

Today is the first day of “Local study visit.”

Five participants went to Tokyo station to take a Shinkansen bullet train bound for Fukushima.

Since participants from Nepal are using wheelchairs in Japan, so their coordinator requested a station staff to lead them to their seats of the train. They were first asked to wait at the waiting room near the ticket wicket. It is an air-conditioned room with anaccessible bathroom. Of course all the members of decent team were impressed and some filmed and others took pictures of the facility.

As many of jicafriends have already experienced or seen how station staff pushed their wheelchairs and showed them the place to wait. They are well trained and have a reputation for being polite to customers.

The Shinkansen bullet train was so fast and it took only one and half hour to Fukushima. Sorry for the short trip…

Five participants, one of the committee members, JICE coordinator and JSRPD staff were welcomed by a director of Samegawa tampopo-no-ie at the station and started the first day of local study visit.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0705.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:51 PM | Comments (0)

Training Report : July 3, 2009 : Job Report Presentation

In this training course, the participants are asked to write three reports: Job Reports, Project Plan, and Progress Report. Job Reports were already prepared by the participants before coming to Japan. Project Plans will be written while they are staying in Japan, and Progress Reports will be obliged to submit after returning back to their home countries.

Today's afternoon the participants presented their first report, Job Reports, at JICA Tokyo. It opened to the public, so JICA provided Japanese-English interpreters and Japanese sign language interpreters.

The participants gave a presentation focusing on their duties at their organizations in their home countries.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/reports/job/index.html

Each participant could use 20 minutes for presentation and 15 minutes for question and answer session, however actual time of his/her presentation became half of it because of interpretations. So participants had to carefully choose the slides from their power points.

A number of NGO staff, who were interested in disability and development issues attended today's program and they raised a lot of questions and comments. After all the presentations, all the participants including the planning committee members gave comments to each one of presentations.

From the presentations, the participants and the Japanese related personals could understand what each participant does at their work and also the employment situation of persons with disabilities as well as issues in their country.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0703.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:10 AM | Comments (0)

August 19, 2009

Training Report : July 1, 2009 PM: Visit Tokyo Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities

After saying “good bye” to Swan Bakery Akasaka shop, all participants took a subway from Akasaka to Ueno to visit Tokyo Vocational Center for persons with disabilites. It was a good opportunity for them to check accessibility of public transportation in Tokyo.

Director, Assistant Director, and Head Supervisor welcomed them at the entrance of the center. After the welcome speech by Director, Assistant Director explained the role of this center.

Local Vocational Centers for Persons with Disabilities are located throughout Japan. The Center provides the vocational rehabilitation services such as vocational evaluation, vocational guidance, work preparation support, OA training courses and evaluation of individuals with intellectual and severe intellectual disabilities, in close cooperation with local Public Employment Security Offices and other related institutions. The center also provides services specific to employers such as consultation, assistance and employment management support. “Job coach system” is one of the effective supports.

In order that persons with intellectual and mental disabilities can adapt smoothly to the workplace, job coaches will be dispatched to the workplace and meticulous personnel support carried out. Job coaches are stationed at Local Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities implementing support. Not only the centers but also social welfare foundation or employers station job coaches and carry out support by using the Grant for Job Coaches in cooperation with the Local Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities.

According to the annual statistics the center provided various kinds of services to 2,291 persons with disabilities in fiscal year 2008. The participants found out the important role of Tokyo Vocational Center in Tokyo area for persons with disabilities.

Head Supervisor and vocational counselor showed the participants around the center. And six participants became interested in vocational evaluation methods. They could try and experience different tools and learn how to use them.

Director, Assistant Director, and Head Supervisor led all participants to the front door. They could also learn Japanese common courtesy.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0701pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 05:07 PM | Comments (0)

August 18, 2009

Training Report : July 2, 2009, Community Visit

Today one of the committee members, professor of Kanagawa Institute of Technology conducted the observation-cum-study for five participants to learn how the citizens with disabilities live in Atsugi City.

In the morning, they visited a home of a professional painter who has severe disability. She suffered quadriplegia due to cervical injury at her age of 22. After 7 years' hospitalization she felt an urge to live independently in the community and she worked hard to obtain the social and daily living skills through the training at Rehabilitation Center.

She lives in a barrier-free flat of a public housing provided by Atsugi City, with her husband and a daughter now. She uses various types of welfare services including 24-hour personal assistance, provision of assistive devices and remodeling of her house according to her needs. So many times I visited Atsugi City Hall in order to get present services and conditions, she explained to the participants. Five participants understood she could enjoy her community life because she never gave up her life.

Then the participants visited the Comprehensive Welfare Center of Atsugi City to have lunch at a restaurant “Donguri (acorn)” where persons with intellectual disabilities are working. They also had a chance to visit a consultation room located in the same building, where consultation services for all three types of disabilities, physical, intellectual, and mental are conveniently provided in one location for the citizens of Atsugi City and some neighboring municipalities.

In the afternoon, the participants had an opportunity to visit a home of a person who has quadriplegia due to car accident.

He is an employee of a special subsidiary of a famous company in the employment service industry in Japan however he doesn't have to go to work. In stead of commuting to an office, he works at home using a computer. The system of “employment at home” allowed him to live independently in the community. He explained both merits and demerits of working at home, and he emphasized how important “to work” is for him. A staff from his company kindly came to explain why they started “employment at home” and the participants could learn about the company's efforts to employ persons with disabilities.

Before visiting the last house five participants made a short visit to “Asayake (morning glow), a small-sized community workshop for persons with disabilities. The director is a wheelchair user and he commutes to the workshop by driving his car. Participants were so interested in seeing how he transfers from his wheelchair to his car. They could also observe how people with disabilities work in the community.

Lastly the participants visited a dream house owned by the director of the workshop. It's a barrier-free house designed by a couple with disabilities. The participants were amazed with various assistive devices and automated equipment.

From today's community visit, the participants could understand that even persons with severe disabilities can live independently in a community.

http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0702.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:16 PM | Comments (0)

August 07, 2009

Training Report : June 30, 2009 PM : Visit : Iidabashi Public Employment Security Office

If persons with disabilities in your country would like to find jobs, where do they go?
How can they get to access information of job vacancies?

Today's afternoon session, five participants visited the Iidabashi Public Employment Security Office, Hello Work or PESO in shortened form.

Hello Work utilizes a variety of measures to support employment consultation, job introductions, for persons with disabilities who want to find work, support for setting in the workplace, continuation of employment after employment, and to provide guidance and support to employers regarding employing persons with disabilities.

Director of Employment Division first explained about the responsibilities of Iidabashi Hello Work (PESO.) Participants learned about the relation between Hallo Work and other related organizations, such as Local Employment and Life Support Centers for Persons with Disabilities, Schools for Special Needs Education, Vocational Ability Development Centers for Persons with Disabilities, private companies, and etc. They could understand the importance of networking and information barrier-free. And then, each participant tried the search for job on computers. They were very surprised to know that they could find a job of any place in Japan at Iidabashi Public Employment Security Office and they also could choose an adequate job according to their needs and conditions.

More than 4,000 job placement cases for persons with disabilities including home-based employment were reported in fiscal year 2008.

Five participants could get many keys to success regarding employment promotion and realization of decent work of persons with disabilities through the observation.

http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0630pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 05:46 PM | Comments (0)

July 30, 2009

Training Report : July 1 2009 AM : Visit to Swan Bakery

In the morning five participants visited “Swan Bakery Akasaka shop,” with one of the committee member, a professor of Kanagawa Institute of Technology. The President lectured how Swan Bakery was established.

Swan Bakery is corporation that the late Mr. Masao Ogura, founder of the Kuroneko-Yamato Home Delivery Service, established in cooperation with the Yamato Welfare Foundation and the Yamato Transport Co., Ltd.

The number of persons with disabilities in Japan is estimated to account for about 5% of the population, or approximately 6 million people. The majority of them are working in more than 6,000 joint community workshops and small scale sheltered workshops scattered throughout Japan. However, their wages are as low as less than 10,000 yen monthly and under this situation they are far from becoming independent.

The late Mr. Ogura was amazed to know the fact and started to think how it is possible to pay more than 100,000 yen in monthly salaries. Then he got the idea of establishing shops selling “delicious bread fresh from the oven.”

Mr. Ogura gained the understanding and cooperation of Mr. Seiichi Takaki, President of the Takaki Bakery Co., Ltd., which has developed a nationwide network of famous bakery chains “Andersen” and “Little Mermaid”. After finding that it is possible for persons with disabilities to bake bread from the frozen bread dough that Takaki Bakery developed, Mr. Ogura immediately put this into practice. In June 1998, a shop in Ginza, downtown Tokyo, opened as the Swan Bakery's first shop. It was the late Mr. Ogura who named “Swan Bakery”. He took his clue from the work of Hans Andersen, the Danish writer of storybooks, who told the story of what seemed an ugly duckling was in fact a “swan.”

Presently, Swan Bakery shops are scattered across the nation and now there are over 20 outlets employing more than 200 people with disabilities. They have become economically independent and achieved participation in the society through their jobs.

The participants could learn lots of keys to success of business from the President today. Then the participants visited the bakery shop to observe how people with disabilities work. The participants could not distinguish employees with disabilities and without disabilities.

Everyday more than two hundred office workers come to Akasaka Shop to buy breads or to eat lunch during lunch time. The participants of JICA training course, of course tried the popular breads!

http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0701.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:51 AM | Comments (0)

July 26, 2009

Training Report : June 30, 2009 AM: Visit to Isetan Soleil

Five participants learned the special subsidiary system on June 26 and today they visited Isetan Soleil, Co., Ltd., a special subsidiary of Isetan Co., Ltd. which runs one of the most famous department stores in Japan, Isetan.

When they arrived at the company at 9:45 am, twenty eight employees with disabilities were asked to get together for the morning assembly. They first watched a video to get the latest information of Isetan Department Store. Participants saw each employee sat down and tried not to miss even a single word from the video. President then asked them several questions related to the contents of the video. They looked up and answered his questions imposingly.

After the assembly they cleaned up their workplace to start work.

Not only them but also all employees were very much concentrating on their own tasks and their works were perfectly done.

Since they are employed by Isetan Soleil, Co., Ltd, the minimum wages are secured.

There are more than 80 kinds of works done at Isetan Soleil, President explained. They are supplementary tasks which used to be done by sales staff at a shop in Isetan Department Store such as folding wrapping papers, making gift bags, sorting credit card sales slips etc.

The participants could also observe various devices created by Isetan and used by employees with disabilities. For example, a paper mould which has a cut in a shape of a gift sticker indicates where the sticker should be pasted and thus anyone can paste a sticker on a gift bag easily and accurately. The participants tried some tasks which looked easy, but they felt to do it accurately and repeatedly was not as easy as it looked.

Participants could meet two job coaches, one from the sheltered workshop and the other from Employment Support Center. They visited Isetan Soleil to see how their former users were working. Actually they already got used to all the works.

After the observation of workplace, President of Isetan Soleil showed them a video of a program broadcasted by a big TV company which took up the employment promotion of persons with disabilities at Isetan Soleil.

The participants could learn that if the environment is appropriately arranged and the appropriate jobs are provided, persons with intellectual or mental disabilities can also work.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0630.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:05 AM | Comments (0)

July 22, 2009

Training Report : June 24 & 25 AM, 2009 : Participatory Workshop: Facilitator Skills

Today five participants had the first day of four-day participatory workshop.

As most of jicafriends know, the facilitator for this training program is very popular among former participants. Once you participate in this workshop, you will be fascinated by him.

In this workshop everybody in the lecture room has to participate and each participant is encouraged to give his/her opinion and comment.

It is not only to learn about how to “facilitate,” but also to learn communication and empowerment skills by using simple materials and exercises.

Participants chose their own topics and each participant is requested to facilitate a session in the latter part of the participatory workshop. Hopefully they can facilitate the topics by making use of the skills which they acquired today.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0624.html

Posted by jicafriends at 08:04 PM | Comments (0)

July 21, 2009

Training Report : Lecture on Current Situation of Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Japan

Although five participants prayed for their course leader, they could still not hear his voice.

However the participants were very pleased that he could come to JICA Tokyo to lecture on the current situation of employment of persons with disabilities in Japan. His presence is the most important!

He started the lecture on why realization of “Decent Work” is essential to persons with disabilities and explained the difference between open employment and welfare employment. Becoming employees at the private companies means they can be secured the minimum wages, on the other hand people who work at the welfare facilities are not recognized as workforce, but they are service users and not secured the minimum wages.

They also learned the history of the quota schemes and its present issues and Necessity of collaboration and integration of welfare policies and labor policies for the promotion of employment of persons with disabilities.

All the participants could get the basic ideas regarding employment/work of persons with disabilities and could be ready for site visits next week.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0626pm.html

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July 17, 2009

Training Report : June 26, 2009 AM : How to Write Project Plan Ⅰ

Five participants are requested to write their own Project Plans by the end of the training course.

Two and half days workshops are programmed for them to acquire skills of how to write a project plan and how to make an effective presentation.

In the morning they had the first half-day lecture to grasp the basic idea of writing a REALISTIC AND CONCRETE plan including 12 topics, such as 1. Name, 2. Title of the plan, 3. Background, 4. Overall goals, 5. Concrete Objectives, 6. Beneficiaries, 7. Impact on beneficiaries, 8. Project Implementation Plan, 9. Monitoring and Evaluation, 10. Possible obstacles to project plan implementation, 11. Budget needed, how to raise funds, and 12. Impact of this training.

The lecturer suggested participants to plan something which they can implement upon return to their home country and use the ideas what they got from her workshop plus the other parts of the training.

Five participants also discussed the meaning of decent work, which is a key word for this training program.

By July 21, each participant has to prepare the first draft.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0626am.html

Posted by jicafriends at 01:39 PM | Comments (0)

July 02, 2009

Training Report : June 23: PM The Right to Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities

In developing countries, 80% to 90% of persons with disabilities of working age are umemployed. They are frequently not considered potential members of the workforce. Most of those who have jobs receive little or no monetary remuneration. Perception, fear, myth and prejudice continue to limit understanding and acceptance of disability in workplaces everywhere. Many countries do not have legislation to promote and protect the rights of workers with disabilities.

The primary goal of the International Labour Organization (ILO) today is to promote opportunities for man and women to obtain decent work and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity.

http://www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/Mainpillars/WhatisDecentWork/lang--en/index.htm

The lecturer, Professor of Hosei University, a former Vocational Rehabilitation advisor for Asia and Pacific region of ILO lectured on the rights to decent work of persons with disabilities. He explained major international conventions, recommendation, declaration etc. related to the employment of persons with disabilities including Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml

All the participants knew some of the conventions or recommendations, however it was their first time to know about international efforts to eliminate the discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment field. Today they understood that everyone, with or without disabilities, without any exception, has the right to work. Not just to work but decent work!

http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0623pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:07 PM | Comments (0)

July 01, 2009

Training Report : June 23, 2009 AM : Welfare Services for persons with disabilities -from perspective of persons with disabilities

Yesterday five participants received the lecture on the Japanese welfare services from a special advisor for the disability issues at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Today participants learned the welfare services from the users' viewpoint.

Lecturer is a special advisor for the INAX Corporation, who is a disability certificate holder and uses the welfare services regularly. She came to JICA Tokyo with her personal assistant by a taxi equipped with a lift.

She was born in Hokkaido. She contracted diseases when she was a senior high school student. Her life was completely changed but she never gave up her life.

“I had to live, in order to live, I needed to work,” she said.

So she tried to look for the place where she could learn design, and she found the interior design course at the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities and moved to Tokyo. She experienced uncountable difficulties, prejudices and discriminations, however she overcame one by one and as the result of her hard work, she could find an appropriate job at the private company through employment support services.

Her lecture helped five participants understand how Japanese persons with disabilities use their welfare services and live independently in the community. Although she succeeded in living independently. It is still not easy for persons with disabilities to access necessary information, unless they go out and look for it by themselves.

For the participants, the morning session was not only to know the Japanese welfare services, but also to aware of the meaning of “Decent Work” for persons with disabilities.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0623am.html

Posted by jicafriends at 09:28 PM | Comments (0)

June 25, 2009

Training report : June 22, 2009 Afternoon : Lecture “Welfare Services for Persons with Disabilities in Japan”

Five participants took a bus to the Ministry of Labour, Health and Welfare.

Before arriving they had a tour around the National Diet Building to get an idea of the government office quarter.

The first lecture was given by the special advisor of disability issues at the Ministry on the Welfare Services for Persons with Disabilities in Japan.

He gave a comprehensive lecture on the topic, including administrative system of Japan, historical development of welfare services for persons with disabilities, definition and certificate of disabilities, number of persons with disabilities, income security, reform of health and welfare policies and measures for persons with disabilities, measures related education and so on.

He also explained them about the current topic, the law to support independence of persons with disabilities.

Although the time was limited five participants could gain an overall understanding of the welfare services for persons with disabilities in Japan.

When we arrived at the Ministry it was drizzling, but when we left, clear skies received them.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0622pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:25 PM | Comments (0)

Training report : June 22, 2009 : Program Orientation

Welcome to Japan!

Five participants from the following four countries - China, Fiji, Malaysia, and Nepal - arrived at JICA Tokyo on June 16.

Today is the first day of the training program.
And five participants are ready for six-week training in Japan.

Course leader who was a facilitator of the program orientation this morning was very happy to welcome new jica friends.

However we had a big problem!

Our course leader lost his voice because of inflammation of the tonsils. No voice coming out from him!

He can use sign language, but participants don't understand the Japanese sign language!

He can whisper, but his voice cannot carry a long way.

So JSRPD staff repeated what he said, and other committee members, JICA officer, and JICE coordinator added necessary information to support him.

As a result we including participants united all our efforts and could have a wonderful program orientation.

We could get off to a good start!

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0622.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:16 PM | Comments (1)

January 14, 2009

Training Report : December 5, 2008: Workshop: Review of Project Plan and Presentation Skill

Today is the second day with Ms. Sarajean Rossitto. The participants were requested to prepare for their presentation practice and also to bring their drafts of Project Plan.

In the morning, each participant gave a 10 minutes presentation of Project Plan in front of the other participants, and the audience were to ask questions regarding the Project Plan so that he/she could improve the contents of Project Plan as well as the presentation skills.

The afternoon session was about presentation skills. Ms. Rossitto explained how to make an effective presentation which is appealing to the audience or donors. Not only the contents of the presentation and time management are important but also the presentation delivery such as gesture, eye contact, positive attitude, voice etc. plays an important part in presentation.

While listening to the presentation practices in the morning, Ms. Rossitto reviewed the drafts of Project Plan and wrote down comments for each participant. Before finishing the workshop, Ms. Rossitto gave feedbacks to each participant so that they could improve their project plans.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1205.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:54 PM | Comments (0)

Training Report : November 25-27, 2008: Individual Training

Three days individual training was programmed according to each participant's interests and what they are planning to carry out upon their returning to home countries.

Please refer to the following table to see their training schedule.

< Tokyo Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities >

Two participants from Sri Lanka and Philippines visited the Tokyo Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities on November 26, to learn about Japan's measures on employment of persons with disabilities. Mr. Shigeru Okano, director of the center, Ms. Chie Arisawa, vice-director, and Mr. Yuuki Kato, chief counselor attended the participants.

After Mr. Okano's explanation on the overview of the Center, Ms. Arisawa lectured on employment measures and vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities in Japan. Mr. Kato explained the center's programs in more details and then showed them around the center. Two participants also had an opportunity to practice some of vocational evaluation tools. They became so serious in challenging the tools, but Mr. Kato explained that not only the results are evaluated but the understanding of instructions and attitudes towards given tasks are also being observed. After the observation tour, the participants watched a video. The video showed examples of some worksites where persons with disabilities are working and also various supports at worksite including Job Coach arranged for persons with different disabilities to be able to work.

Although one day was a limited time, thanks to the center's kind cooperation, the participants could have its overview of employment measures and vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities in Japan.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1125.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:51 PM | Comments (0)

Training Report : November 19, 2008: Regional Training (Day 3)

Yesterday the participants met the Mayor of City of Hiroshima, Mr. Akiba, and learned directly from him about the Hiroshima's national and international efforts for the nuclear weapon free world.

This morning, the participants had an opportunity to learn more details about Hiroshima City's devotion to the cause of peace from Mr. Nobuyuki Teshima, Director, Peace Promotion Division, International Peace Promotion Department, the City of Hiroshima.

Mr. Teshima firstly explained them about the A-Bomb and its damage, and the current status of nuclear weapons in the world. Then he talked about the main projects of the City of Hiroshima such as testimonies of the A-Bomb experience, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, A-bomb exhibitions overseas, peace information over the Internet, and Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Study Courses. The participants also learned the Hiroshima City's effort to abolish nuclear weapons such as Mayors for Peace, 2020 Vision Campaign etc.
(http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/e/peace.html)

The two day's visit to Hiroshima gave strong impression to the participants and they will bring the “Spirit of Hiroshima” back to home country.

In the afternoon, the participants moved to the next destination of their regional training Wakayama Prefecture! On its way, they could experience Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Hiroshima Station to Osaka Station.

When they arrived at the hotel, though it was already in the evening, Mr. Tanaka, Ms. Ito, Mr. Kato and Mr. Takeda from Mugino-sato were there to meet the participants. As the participants had already watched a film “A Peace of Your Home” where Mugino-sato was taken as a model, the participants got really excited to meet them.

Ms. Ito and Mr. Kato talked to the participants how Mugino-sato started from scratch.
Then they explained the characteristic of Mugino-sato. The participant could have fundamental information of the organization in prior to the coming up 4 days training at Mugino-sato and its related organizations. The participants asked many questions enthusiastically and also shared their comments on the film and their expectation for the coming up training at Mugino-sato with them.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1119.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:48 PM | Comments (0)

January 08, 2009

Training Report : December 9, 2008: Presentation of Project Plan

The presentation of Project Plan was held at JICA Tokyo today. The nine participants explained what they are planning to do upon their return to home country, what they learned from the training course in Japan, and which learning they applied in their project plan.

The presentations were made in the following order.

Please click the project title to read the whole text.

1. Participant from Turkey

Title: Underground Women

In Turkey, women with disability are kept inside the house by their families and do not participate in social sphere. They are even not aware of their own rights and do not discuss about the difficulties they face in their life. In order to improve this situation, this project aims to provide an opportunity to introduce human rights of persons with disabilities in order to help them discuss their problems and to encourage them participate in social activities. For this purpose, 10 human rights and advocacy workshops will be organized in 10 different cities of Turkey. The target group is women with different disabilities of age between 18 and 35 years old. At the end of this project, 250 women with disabilities from 10 different cities are expected to have a contact with each other, to have better understanding of their rights, and to exercise their rights. The period of project is 2 years and the total budget is estimated at US$22,500.

2. Participant from Malawi

Title: Disability For Ability Project (DIFAP)

In Malawi, persons with disabilities are despised as second class citizens and have been victims of different kinds of abuses. However these abuses have not been reported because the victims do not know about their rights or even if they have the knowledge they are not confident enough to go and report due to negative public attitudes. This project, in effort of tackling this problem, aims to alleviate abuse and discrimination of persons with disabilities through awareness raising and capacity building so that persons with disabilities fully enjoy their human rights and participate in social and economic and other spheres of life. To achieve this goal, human rights resource unit will be established to provide information on human rights to people with disabilities in order to raise their awareness of human rights issues. The five-day advocacy and human rights training will also be provided to 20 participants, mainly the members of FEDOMA (Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi) who already have some experience in advocacy. In addition abuse prevention workshops will be organized and the graduates of these workshops will train other 25 people at a grassroots level which will bring more players in the fight against abuses. In this project it is also expected to create a good working relationship with the media, have meetings with the parliament committee and governmental officials, and to organize public lectures and rallies etc. It is a 2 years project from January 2009 to December 2010. The total budget is estimated at US$54,874.

3. Participant from Kazakhstan

Title: KNOWLEDGE for CHANGE - the counseling and education center

In Kazakhstan persons with disabilities tend to have low self-esteem and do not know how to exercise their rights. This project aims to create the human rights center. This center provides counseling to persons with disabilities, conducts trainings to teach basic rights, conducts seminars on disability understanding in order to increase the self-esteem of persons with disabilities and also to make people without disabilities to understand and accept people with disabilities, and conducts the open days and demonstrations in order to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. The target beneficiaries are people with different disabilities between 16 and 40 years old. The total duration of the project is 2 years from May 2009 to May 2011 excluding the preparation stage. The total budget is expected at US$41,232.

4. Participant from Costa Rika

Title: Vamos (Let's Go)

People with disabilities in Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica, are excluded from a society. They do not have access to cultural and sports activities and feel afraid to go out. To change this situation, this project will provide persons with disabilities opportunities to participate in different social activities such as sports, cultural events and other entertainment. In these events, persons with disabilities will also receive information about their rights and how to solve their problems. In order to carry out these activities, a group of volunteers will also be organized to assist persons with disabilities in their going out. At the end of the project, they are expected to be more confident so that they can visit public places and use the public transportation, and they can see themselves as members of the community just as persons without disabilities. The project period is 1 year from January to December 2009. The total budget is US$8,900.

5. Participant from Lao P.D.R.

Title: Braille Newsletter

LDPA (Lao Disabled People's Association) distributes more than 2,000 newsletters monthly to its members in 11 provinces of the country but currently the newsletters are issued only in a printed form. Therefore there have been requests for newsletters in Braille from the members with visual impairment. With this project, exactly the same contents of the newsletters will be transcribed into Braille and sent it out to all the members with visual impairments of age between 15 and 30 years old. It is expected that this project gives them a better access to information, gives an opportunity to learn about many things and a possibility to find jobs later on. It is also expected to change their life and also the society's negative attitude towards them. The project period is 2 years between January 2009 and December 2010. The total budget is estimated at US$ 22,400.

6. Participant from Uganda

Title: Enable Me Work to Live Independently Project 2009-2011 (01, 02)

This project aims to promote increased access to employment among persons with disabilities and it is a pilot project to be implemented in the 23 sub-counties of Masaka District for 2 years from 2009 to 2011. The targeted beneficiaries are the 300 adults with disabilities of age between 18 and 40 years old; 140 persons with physical disorders, 50 persons with hearing impairment, 50 persons with visual impairment, and 60 persons with intellectual disabilities. The project will (1) ensure observance of rights of persons with disabilities at the workplace, (2) eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities in the recruitment and hiring process, and (3) to promote increased participation of persons with disabilities in lobbying and advocating for their employment rights and building their careers. The total budget is estimated at US$30,352.

7. Participant from Sri Lanka

Title: Nilaa Muttram (Court in Moonlight): Physical Education Promotion for the Children with Intellectual Disabilities

The goal of this project is to provide an opportunity for children with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports activities so that they can enhance their physical and mental capabilities as well as social participation. The project target is 41 children with intellectual disabilities in Puthuvazhupoonga (garden for new life) Training Centre for Children with Intellectual Disabilities and 30 children with intellectual disabilities in villages. This project will (1) provide sports and exercise equipments, (2) provide sports training to resource teachers, CBR voluntaries and children club members, (3) create more opportunities to participate in the sports activities for children with intellectual disabilities in Puthuvazhupoonga, and (4) secure access to the sports activities to children with intellectual disabilities in the villages. The duration of project is 6 months. The total budget is estimated at US$7,038.

8. Participant from Philippines

Title: Laundry Service

This plan aims to employ more persons with disability in order to generate employment for persons with disability to uplift their economic conditions. For this goal, a laundry shop will be set up and 15 wheelchair users of age between 20 and 55 years old will be employed. In addition, 4 persons without disabilities and 6 persons with intellectual disability will also be employed for the tasks that are difficult for the wheelchair users. The potential clients are hotels and hospital which outsource their laundries. The project period is 1 year. The total budget is estimated at US$ 780,000.

9. Participant from Jordan

Title: Al Nahada Human Rights Unit： YOU Have A Voice ‘Enndk Sowt’

In Jordan, persons with disabilities suffer from ‘invisibility,’ being viewed as ‘objects’ of protection, treatment and assistance rather than subjects of rights, and as a result, they are excluded from mainstream society. Disability movement at local and national level is considered weak, which has affected their participation in decision-making process in public policies and also the lobbying and advocacy activities concerning the rights of persons with disabilities. In addition insufficient attention has been paid to human rights issues for persons with disabilities even though they have been discriminated and excluded in daily life. In order to change this situation, this project aims to ensure the promotion and mainstreaming of human rights of persons with disabilities. The project consists of (1) establishing a library with a collection of books, documents, reports etc. related to human rights of persons with disabilities, (2) holding workshops in awarenessraising, lobbying, advocacy and capacity building, (3) teaching the members of Al Nahda Association for Persons with Disabilities how to be more effective advocates for human rights and social justice, and (4) encouraging persons with disabilities to exercise their human rights. The target beneficiaries are community in general and the assiciation members of age between 18 and 70 years old. The project period is between January 2009 and April 2010. The total budget is estimated at US$39,595.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1118.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:46 PM | Comments (0)

Training Report : December 8, 2008 AM: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2006, two years ago by now. Many of the participants' countries have signed the treaty and some have already ratified it. But from the discussion and opinion exchange so far, it has been made clear that even ratified, the reality that persons with disabilities are facing each day has not changed and is still far from what the convention aims for.

This morning the participants had the last lecture of the training program in Japan and the topic was CRPD. The lecturer is Mr. Takanori Sai, who belongs to DPI-Japan and is in charge of CRPD. DPI-Japan serves as the secretariat of the committee on promoting the convention of Japan Disability Forum (JDF) and Mr. Sai has been involved in coordinating disability NGOs and the government including meetings and negotiation with the government etc.

Mr. Sai firstly explained why CRPD is necessary despite of many previous international laws concerning human rights and then the meaning of CRPD. He talked about paradigm shift in attitude and approaches towards persons with disabilities, changing from the view as “objects” of charity, medical treatment and social protection to the “subjects” with rights. The concepts of anti-discrimination and inclusion are at the base of the convention and it aims to ensure equality. He emphasized the participation of NGO and persons with disabilities in the process. Lastly he gave an explanation on the structure and main contents of CRPD.

Although some participants already had good knowledge about CRPD, today's lecture gave a clear and structural overview of CRPD. The participants asked questions including “why Japan has not ratified CRPD?” and “how can they make the convention into reality in their respective counties where disabled people's organizations and persons with disabilities movements are not as strong as in Japan?” Mr. Sai again put emphasis on the importance of movements and involvement of persons with disabilities, and encouraged the participants to use the convention as a tool and keep lobbying for the realization of CRPD. As the DPI's slogan says, “Nothing about us, without us!”

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1208am.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:43 PM | Comments (0)

Training Report : November 18, 2008: Regional Training (Day 2)

AM: Visit to Peace Memorial Museum, Peace Memorial Park

In the morning the participants visited the Peace Memorial Museum located inside the Peace Memorial Park.
When they arrived, five Peace Volunteers were already waiting for them at the entrance.
They were wearing fluorescent yellowish green windbreakers which attracted people's attention.
Peace Volunteers belong to the museum and they show the visitors around the museum and the park and they also appeal to the visitors for the abolition of nuclear weapons and realization of the world peace.

The museum kindly made a special arrangement so that the participants with visual impairment could touch and feel objects such as bottles and nails melted by the strong heat of the atomic bomb. While going around the museum, the Peace Volunteers gave a keen explanation on the exhibitions and also answered the questions raised by the participants.
Thanks to Peace Volunteers, the participants could see what happened to Hiroshima 63 years ago.

After the lunch the participants walked around the Peace Memorial Park.

The cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims is inscribed with the words ”Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil.“
The stone chest in the center holds the registry of the names of persons who died from the bombing, regardless of nationality.

The participants then saw a statue of a girl, Sadako Sasaki, who was exposed to the A-bomb at the age two, contracted leukemia ten years later and passed away.
( http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/kids/KPSH_E/hiroshima_e/sadako_e/sadako18_e.html)
Thousand cranes were folded by people all over the world with hearty prayers for the peace, and the participants were impressed with so many of them displayed around the statue of Sadako.

The famous A-Bomb Dome was registered as the UNESCO World Heritage in 1996.
The dome is a witness of the disaster of the first atomic bombing in history, and also a symbol of the vow to pursue the abolition of nuclear weapons and enduring peace.

It was a sunny autumn day and the participants enjoyed the walk around the park.
This is also a season for school study trips in Japan and so the park was very busy with many visitors. Several times the participants were asked by students to write peace messages.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1118.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:39 PM | Comments (0)

December 25, 2008

Training Report : November 14, 2008: Workshop: How to Write Project Plan

At the end of the training course, each participant is required to write Project Plan by applying what they learned in Japan. During this training course, two days workshops is programmed on project plan writing and presentation skill. Ms. Sarajean Rossito is a nonprofit NGO consultant with background in the human rights issues in Asia and she gives these workshops.

Ms. Sarajean explained the items to be covered in Project Plan required by JICA with examples. Some of the participants already had experience of writing projects plans and also obtaining funds.
But with Ms. Sarajean, they could improve their project writing skills.

The resource parson was not only the lecturer in this workshop. The participants also have a rich experiences and valuable opinions, so they were asked to share their ideas with the group and also to work in a pair to discuss and exchange opinions with each other. In this way, they could get more ideas and develop their plans.

The participants brought their computers to the classroom and they started drafting their project in the class. It was an intensive whole-day workshop but the participants could improve their writing skills.
The second workshop is programmed for December 5 and the participants are asked to bring their draft project paper in word and also to prepare their presentation materials.

Posted by jicafriends at 03:35 PM | Comments (0)

December 11, 2008

Training Report : November 7, 2008: Lecture: Welfare Service and Systems for Persons with Disabilities Ⅱ

Today's lecturer was one of the leading figures in Japanese disability movement, Mr. Koji ONOUE, Secretary General of Japan National Assembly of Disabled Peoples' International (DPI-Japan).

Mr. Onoue started his lecture by sharing his own childhood experiences in an institution with the participants. At that time, the medical approach was prevailing. For example, he was identified by a number “55” and received experimental surgical operations many times regardless of his will which made his disability even severer.

Mr. Onoue then talked how the movements of persons with disabilities have been involved in development of the Japanese welfare measures and services. He explained about the shift from medical model to social model, the development of the independent living movement and postwar policies for persons with disabilities, the International Year of Disabled Persons and dissemination of the idea of normalization. It was only in the 1990’s when the support for the community life or independent living in the actual systems and services started.

From Mr. Onoue's lecture, the participants could learn that the current welfare services and systems which might look very nice to them were not available for persons with disabilities from the beginning. But the strong movements and involvement of persons with disabilities over the last 50 years had played important roles in their development.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1107.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:53 AM | Comments (0)

Training Report : November 13, 2008: Watching a Film “A Piece of Your Home”

In this evening, the participants watched a film “A Pieace of Your Home” at JICA Tokyo. And it was for free! Not only this course's participants but other participants who are staying in JICA Tokyo were invited.

But what is the importance of this film ?

The nine participants are going to visit a facility which initially started for persons with mental disabilities next week during their regional training in Wakayama Prefecture. The facility is called Muginosato (Barley Village) and it is the model for this film.

“A Piece of Your Home” was filmed to celebrate 30th anniversary of Kyosaren (Japan Association of Community Workshops for Disabled Persons.) It depicts the often misunderstood attitudes that the Japanese people have toward mental health patients. By watching this film prior to their visit, they could learn how this organization started and what kind of frictions with the local community they had faced at initial stages. The film has successfully transformed a serious theme into an entertaining story with a strong message and the audience with different background could enjoy it very much.

Ms. Yoko Kawakubo, Assistant Secretary General of Kyosaren, and Mr. Hiroshi Ueno, Adviser on International Affairs of Kyosaren and chairperson of Planning Committee of this course, were kindly present in today’s event.
This film was already produced with the Spanish subtitle and shown in Costa Rica. So, the participant from Costa Rica had already seen this film before.
After watching the film, many audiences wished to show the film in their own countries or have a copy of the film to bring back home.

At the end of the tonight's show, some participants shared their comments:

• It was a quite personal film and it will take me long time to think about today's film. The father showed a negative image at first but he changed. That point shows the civil society's attitude for persons with disabilities.
• This film showed a negative side of the society's attitude. But persons with mental disabilities are a part of society. They should live in a society. People have a negative attitude in local area. Persons without disabilities have to know about disabilities. This film is a good way to work for local people.
• It was a very educational film. In my country, persons with mental disabilities are neglected for a long time, so now I got an idea to work for mental disabilities.

Now the participants are so expectantly looking forward to visiting the Muginosato, seeing how actually the organization has been developed based in the local community, and learning from their activities. We all thank to Kyosaren for giving this opportunity to watch the film tonight.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1113.html

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December 04, 2008

Training Report : November 17, 2008: Regional Training (Day 1) Barrier-free Tourism - Visit to Miyajima, World Cultural Heritage

This week the participants have a long-awaited one-week regional training in Hiroshima and Wakayama!

This morning they left JICA Tokyo at 8 am for the Haneda Domestic Airport and flew to the world famous City of Hiroshima.

After an enjoyable flight of one and a half hour, the participants arrived to the Hiroshima Airport and there a bus equipped with a lift was waiting for them. Then the participants moved to Miyajima, an island with a world cultural heritage “Itsukushima Shrine” and the participants observed the barrier-free tourism.

Some participants commented that their countries also have a lot of beautiful places and sightseeing spots, however, they are not made accessible so they have not been able to enjoy those places. Others mentioned that the cultural and social side of the life of people with disabilities were often neglected or seen as luxury, but it's related to the quality of life and it's their rights to enjoy social and cultural aspects of human life.

One of the participants also commented that he expected the Miyajima to have applied a modern technology to make it accessible, but what they've observed was rather low cost devices for example wodden slopes. Other participant also mentioned about the possible economic contribution that the barrier-free tourism could bring as barrier-free tourism can widen the range of customers and consumers. It could possibly create new employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

In Hiroshima, the leaves were turning its colors from green to red, yellow and brown and the participants were blessed with a lovely autumn weather today. They fully enjoyed the beauty of Miyajima and it became an unforgettable memory.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1117.html

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Training Report : November 8, 2008: Visit to the homes of persons with disabilities

The participants have so far learned about Japanese welfare services for persons with disabilities through lectures. But what is the actual day-to-day life of persons with disabilities like?

Today the participants had a great opportunity to visit the homes of Japanese people with disabilities, and to learn and exchange opinions about their daily life in each country. They were divided into four groups and visited four families who live in suburban Tokyo.

The weather was rather cold with scattered light rain, but warm welcome by the host families awaited the participants. The participants and the host families talked about a lot of issues related to their life like job and education, including personal matters such as marriage and raising the children.

How quickly time passes! Everyone enjoyed spending time together and getting to know each other. We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all the host families.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1108.html

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December 01, 2008

Training Report : October 27, 2008 PM: Lecture: “Welfare Service and Measures for Persons with Disabilities I”

The first training program took place this afternoon.

Ms. Chihiro KAWAMURA, an associate professor of Department of Social Work at Saitama Prefectural University and a planning committee member of this training course, gave a lecture on the welfare service and measures for persons with disabilities in Japan.

Firstly she explained the major Japanese laws which developed between 1945 and 1960, such as Child Welfare Laws, and other laws concerning persons with physical, mental and intellectual disabilities respectively. She then described an overview of persons with disabilities in Japan by giving information such as the number of people with disabilities, categories of physical disabilities etc. Then the development of Japanese measures after the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP) in 1981 was explained in the international context.

Ms. Kawamura proceeded to talk about the welfare services in more details focusing on education and employment spheres. The statistical information, historical development, and the current situation and challenges were explained. The participants raised a lot of questions comparing with the situations in their countries.

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November 27, 2008

Training Report : November 5, 2008: Workshop: Human Rights and Advocacy

On the second day, in the morning, the participants were asked to make their own role plays and present them in front of other groups. They were divided into three groups and discussed what kind of cases to be taken in their role plays and what messages to be conveyed. Even though the group was randomly selected and they were asked to create the play suddenly, they came up with really good role plays. All the stories they made were based on their real experiences and the performance of the participants were clear and realistic. Some participants even felt bad, recalling the painful experiences they had in the past.

At the end of the workshop, the participants gave some comments reflecting on the last two days:

* I see many abuses in my workplace but no one take action against it.
I got courage from the workshop and I want to make a step forward to fight against abuses upon return to my country.

* My organization provides consultation services but I never knew about internal barrier that those who get abused develop. I'd like to hold this kind of workshop in my country.

* Never accept abuse as our destiny. As a human being, we have to fight against abuses.

The participants got encouraged and empowered to fight against abuses seen in the daily life and to promote human rights of persons with disabilities. They closed the workshop by singing “Kono Machiga Sukisa (I Like ThisTown).”

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1105.html

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Training Report : November 4, 2008: Workshop: Human Rights and Advocacy

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted in December 2006. But do we really understand what human right is? How is it related to our day to day life? Often trivial abuses or maltreatments which are even not recognized as abuses can develop into serious violation of human rights.

Ms. Kinue SUZUKI, Ms. Keiko HIGUCHI and Mr. Hajime IWAMOTO facilitated the “Human Rights and Advocacy” workshop. This workshop was first introduced to this course last year but this year it was made into a two-day workshop with some improvements in the contents.

We started the workshop by singing a song “Kono Machiga Sukisa (I Like This Town).” It's a simple lyric but the song somehow cheers us when we sing it. This year it was sung not only in Japanese but also in English, and the participants sang this song repeatedly throughout the workshop.

The workshop consists of five steps: (1) what is abuse? (2) why is it difficult to stand against abuse? (3) In this way, you can stand against abuse! (4) Have a try! Believe in your power. (5) Win back our rights! Each step was explained in more details. A lot of role plays were used as a straight-forward but effective method to convey messages during this workshop. The new scenarios which reflected the reality of the participants' countries were created especially for this year's workshop. In this way the participants can take the role plays back to their respective countries to reproduce this workshop right away. The participants were encouraged to share their experiences or the cases commonly seen in their countries.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1104.html

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November 20, 2008

Training Report : November 1, 2008: Visit: Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Center for the Disabled

It was a clear autumn day. The participants visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Center for the Disabled. Mr. Ueno, chairperson of Planning Committee and Mr. Kanoya who is a regular user of this center accompanied us all day today.

In the morning, the overview of the sports center was explained to the participants by Mr. Muramatsu, Deputy-director of Sports Support Division. He has been working for the center more than 20 years since its establishment. Mr. Muramatsu then introduced them various sports devices with which persons with even severe disabilities can enjoy sports safely. Some of those devices are very expensive to buy, however Mr. Muramatsu said that it could be made by hands by utilizing local materials which has similar characteristics. For instance, you may be able to substitute balls with metal inside for the sound table tennis with round-shaped plants' seeds which make noise when you shake.

Then the participants went on a tour to observe all the facilities; gymnasium, swimming pool, table tennis and sound table tennis, sports field, tennis court etc. The center also has barrier-free accommodation for persons with disabilities and the participants got excited to see Japanese Style rooms with Tatami mattress.

In the afternoon, the participants could choose sports that they want to try ! They were divided into three groups and experienced sound-table-tennis, wheelchair tennis, and wheelchair badminton. At least one trainer was assigned to each facility and the participants could get instructions on the sports and enjoy it fully and safely despite all of them did not have previous experience.

Mr. Muramatsu concluded today's program by saying “The main aim of the center is to contribute to the realization of the principle of normalization through the promotion of sports and we have strived to promote the sports activities which persons with disabilities, persons without disabilities, and local residents are able to enjoy together.” The participants could deepen their understanding of the positive influence that the sports have on physical and mental aspects of persons with disabilities and also its important roles to promote more inclusive society.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1101.html

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November 19, 2008

Training Report : October 31, 2008: Presentation: Personal / Organizational Report

Today, each participant made a presentation on the organization which they belong to, their job, and their personal history. This session used to be called “Personal Report Presentation” focusing on participants' personal background. However, from this year more emphasis is put on their organization and their work.

Another characteristic of the presentation this year was its venue. Instead of JICA Tokyo seminar room, it was held at the International Community Center (ICC) of Waseda University. This university is one of the most prominent Japanese private universities and it is also known for its established support services for students with disabilities which are not often available at many of universities in Japan yet.

At the presentation, consecutive interpreter as well as sign language interpreter was prepared to secure information and communication accessibility to all. As a result there were a number of audiences from various organizations: some lecturers of this course, others from non governmental organizations in the field of disability and development issues. Also several Waseda University students joined the session and asked many sharp questions. The participants also raised questions and gave comments to each other.

Today the participants as well as the related Japanese personnel could have good information on personal background and work and deepen understanding of each other. We would like to show our appreciation to the ICC, Waseda University for their cooperation in offering the location.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1031.html

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November 17, 2008

Training Report : November 6, 2008: Peer Counseling and Peer Support

In the morning, the participants learned about what Peer Counseling is and why it is needed.

Peer counseling assumes that we all have the following philosophy: all human beings have creativity, wisdom, love, joy, and solidarity in abundance. This philosophy, an intrinsic part of all human beings, is easy to upset; therefore, in order to protect ourselves, we prepare defensive mechanism like fear and insecurity. As long as we are unable to discuss these hurt feelings and be comforted, we make decisions and take action based on our hurt feelings and sorrow rather than on clear, logical thought.
As long as these hurt feelings are not resolved by talking with someone else, the person's actions are filled with anguish and clear, rational thinking does not take place.

The participants seemed to be perplexed in the beginning because it was entirely the new method for all of them. But as the program was proceeded, they became to be curious to know about it.

In the afternoon, they went through session which they shared time equally to talk about their problems or experiences. The details cannot be explained here. If you would like to know of it, you should join us in the program.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1106.html

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November 06, 2008

Training Report : October 29 - 30, 2008: Participatory Workshop: Leadership Skills

What are the important principles to be good leaders ?

Mr. Yoshinori IKEZUMI, the facilitator of this workshop, has over 30 years of experience in conducting participatory approach workshop in Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines and the other Asian countries.

Mr. Ikezumi started the first day by this word “this session is not going to be teaching, but we would like to exchange and share ideas that you have with all participants”.

He always threw back questions when participants asked a question. In this way, all participants were encouraged to speak up, share more ideas, and deepen their understanding of issues. He also presented about origin of key words which relates to disability and necessary skills of leaders.

The participants could come up with lots of new ideas which they can utilize for raising awareness of the community people.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1029.html

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Training Report : Accessibility Check in Tokyo Metropolitan City Lecture : “What is Personal Mobility ?”

Do people with disability in your country go to where they want to go, when they want to go, in a way they want to go ? Or do they only go to where they CAN go ?

In this morning, the participants were divided into 3 groups for accessibility check of transportation and building in Tokyo Metropolitan City. They left JICA Tokyo heading for 3 different famous sites in Tokyo as below.

Group 1: Ferris wheel “Big O”
Group 2: Roppoongi - Tokyo Midtown
Group 3: Hachiko (Statute of Japan's Most Faithful Dog)

While heading for the destinations, they checked various barrier-free facilities and devices provided for persons with disabilities. All participants were very much impressed about train staffs who came down to a platform with a portable ramp to assist wheelchair users. At the station where they get off, the train staff there was already waiting with a portable ramp ready to provide assistance. Very good communication between stations !

Today the participants were blessed with beautiful Japanese autumn weather and they enjoyed their tour.

In the afternoon, Mr. Yoshiaki IMAFUKU, Transportation Affairs Officer, Japan National Assembly of Disabled People's International (DPI-Japan), gave an explanation of each barrier-free facility, by looking at photos taken during the accessibility check this morning.

Then Mr. Imafuku raised two questions to the participants: (1) Why is it important for persons with disabilities to be able to go anywhere they want ? (2) If persons with disabilities don't have personal mobility, what rights will they be deprived of ?

He lectured about the brief history of making transportation accessible in Japan by taking about his involvement and achievement. The participants shared their ideas of personal mobility and how it is related to other spheres of life such as education, social life, employment as well as psychological aspects.

Through the accessibility check and the lecture, the participants could understand the importance for persons with disabilities to be able to go to places they want to go or need to go.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1028.html

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November 04, 2008

Training Report : October 27, 2008 AM: Opening Ceremony and Program Oritentation

Nine participants of Leadership Development Course had arrived safely on Oct 21.

This year's participants are from Costa Rica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malawi, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Uganda.

Opening Ceremony was held today at Assembly Room of JICA Tokyo.

Welcome Speeches were addressed by Ms. Ritsuko SAKAMOTO, Director of Human Development Division, Tokyo International Center, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and then by Mr. Shuzo KATAISHI, Executive Director, Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD).

The participants took a group photo with flags of their respective countries behind.

After the Opening Ceremony, the Program Orientation took place. Firstly nine participants introduced themselves and expressed their expectations for the coming training program. Then Mr. Hiroshi UENO, chairperson of Planning Committee of this training course, gave explanation of this training.

Now the training is starting !

We are all looking for the working together as a team for the coming weeks!

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1027am.html

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September 17, 2008

Training Report : July 10, 2008, PM: Local Vist (Day 4)

It was a beautiful day.
Six participants were very excited and ready to work with users of Samegawa Tanpopo-no-ie.
Their first task requested by Ms. Yaeko Shiraiwa, Director of the facility, was picking up fruits from Japanese apricot (ume) trees. They left the facility together with users and staff by car to perform their morning duty. Apricot yard belongs to the director of the post office and he kindly allowed them to get apricot fruits for free. Though woolly bears often welcomed them, they never stop working.
Tanpopo-no-ie is going to produce the salad dressing by using those apricot fruits.

At lunch time, Japanese noodle “Udon” produced in Tanpopo-no-ie was served. As you can see Udon became the participants’ favorite dish.

After lunch, the second task was waiting for all the men. They went to the pumpkin field to cover it with straw. The participants from China, Fiji, and Lao PDR worked so hard that they could accomplish their task very quickly. Meanwhile lady team was in charge of removing stems of apricot fruits inside the facility. They also visited the pumpkin field to observe how the other participants were working together with the users.

Before leaving Tanpopo-no-ie, “question and answer” session was specially arranged by Ms. Shiraiwa. The users asked many questions to the participants and of course they were very happy to answer all of them.

It is happy to say “hello”, but so hard to say “good-bye” to all the friends at Samegawa Tanpopo-no-ie.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0710.html

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Training Report : July 9, 2008, PM: Local Vist (Day 3)

At lunchtime, six participants enjoyed Japanese noodle “udon” at Madeini-ya, a noodle shop run by Samegawa Tanpopo-no-ie. It is located in a big shopping mall. Two users with intellectual disability was working there as waiters. Their attentive service to the customers had proved that persons with intellectual disability could be efficient workers when the working environment was arranged. The participants were very impressed to observe how they worked and had to change their views towards persons with intellectual disabilities. Udon, which was served there, was produced at Tanpopo-no-ie. And it became popular among the community people.

After lunch, they visited one of the supporters of Kokoron, Oki Daikichi Honten, a microbrewer of Japanese rice-wine (Sake), where three persons with disabilities were employed. Oki Daikichi Honten was established in 1865. The shop faces the old Oshu-Kaido Highway, one of the five main highways constructed during Edo Period (1603-1867). Mr. Daikichi Oki, the fourth-generation and Mr. Daikichi Oki, the fifth-generation showed them around the brewery to observe how persons with disabilities were working there as well as the process of making sake. Mrs. Oki and her daughter welcomed and entertained the participants with home-made dishes.

They stayed at the Oki Daikichi Honten longer than they planned, and had to hurry to the Samegawa Village Office to have a courtesy visit to Mr. Katsuhiro Daikura, Village Mayor. They had a one-hour fruitful meeting with the mayor and he promised them to work harder for persons with disabilities living in Samegawa Village.

At night all the staff from Samegawa tanpopo-no-ie came to their lodging “Hot House Samegawa” to eat dinner together with the participants. It was a great opportunity to get to know with each other.

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September 08, 2008

Training Report : July 9, 2008, AM: Local Vist (Day 3)

In the morning six participants met Ms. Kumada, director of Kokoron, at Kokoroya, a direct sales store which mainly sells local agricultural products and local specialties. They also run Café at the back of their shop to serve 500 yen-lunch. This lunch became very popular among community people as they can buy it just with one 500 yen coin. At present 23 users with mental disabilities work at Kokoroya　and prepare for working in open labor market.

After looking around the shop, Ms. Kumada gave the participants a brief lecture at Café. She explained why she started Kokoron and chose the place Izumizaki and how she manages all the facilities such as Kokoron, Kokoroya, Nagomino-Ie and a group home named Kokoron House. What Ms. Kumada is doing now is not just the employment promotion of persons with disabilities, but she aims to enliven Izumizaki Village and to overcome barriers between community people and people with disabilities.

Then the participants visited Tsuburaya-Kinoko-En run by Mr. Yasuo Tsuburaya. He cultivates Shiitake (Japanese mushrooms) and sells them at Kokoroya.

His Shiitake received the Award of Minister from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry. He could sell mushrooms at good price, however he sells them at low price at Kokoroya. Mr. Tsuburaya told them that he was happy about contributing to persons with mental disabilities. Six participants were impressed by the attitude of Mr. & Mrs. Tsuburaya.

Before leaving, the participants were called by a couple of a tomato farm next to Tsuburaya-Kinoko-En. They picked up and gave so many fresh tomatoes to the participants. Can you imagine how happy they were!

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August 21, 2008

Training Report : June 27, 2008 AM: Rehabilitation Process

This morning Mr. Akira TERASHIMA, one of Planning Committee Members, gave a lecture on Rehabilitation Process. This is a new topic covered in to this course.

Mr. Terashima explained the overall process of rehabilitation, and the participants could understand what steps persons with disabilities take after acquiring disabilities from acute medical rehabilitation till job placement. Then, Mr. Terashima explained about the Japanese laws and regulations concerning persons with disabilities, degrees of disabilities and eligible services. The participants’ discussion developed into why a service dog is necessary for persons with hearing impairment. After that, he introduced the change from ICIDH* to ICF** and explained about the movement from medical model to social model of rehabilitation.

* ICIDH stands for International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps

** ICF stands for International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

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August 19, 2008

Training Report : July 30, 2008: Presentation of Project Plan

Today six participants made a presentation of their Project Plan at JICA Tokyo. It showed what they plan to do by applying their learning from Japan after returning to their home countries. Each participant gave 40 min presentation as follows.Please click the project title to read the whole text.

Morning

1. Participant from Vietnam

Project Title: ENTRANCE TO INDEPENDENT LIFE (PDF)
Summary: Overall goal of this project is that students with disabilities from Ho Chi Minh Vocational College of Technology will get job and live independently. This project consists of three aspects (1) improving vocational skills and social skills of students with disabilities, (2) improving teaching skills of teachers and (3) approaching to companies to employ school graduates with disabilities. The project starts in February 2009 till December 2010 and the total budget is estimated at US$ 150,000.

2. Participant from Nepal

Project Title: HAMRO HANDICRAFTS (PDF)
Summary: Overall goal of this project is that persons with disabilities get employed, become confident and live independently. In order to achieve this goal, this project provides 6 months training in knitting, cross-stick and production of cookies to 13 persons with disabilities as well as women in need and people in poverty. The total budget is estimated at Rs. 354,000 (equivalent to US$ 5240.6).

3. Participant from Laos

Project Title: SHINING STAR - Job creation through wheelchair development project

Summary: This project aims to provide training to 5 persons with physical disorders in wheelchair production at a wheelchair production workshop of the National Rehabilitation Center. After the training, the trainees will be employed at the workshop. Through this project, it is expected to increase the production capacity of the workshop and also to create jobs for persons with disabilities. The duration of the project is 10 month starting from August 2008 and the total budget is estimated at US$ 5,050.

Afternoon

4. Participant from Fiji

Project Title: HAPPY FUTURE - Finding employment for persons with disabilities
Summary: This project aims at job placement of persons with disabilities in service industry especially in a supermarket. The beneficiaries are six students of the Fiji Vocational and Technical Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, both male and female, of any disabilities. To achieve this aim, this plan requires to approach companies and to make a curriculum which meets companies' needs. In this project, he would like to introduce trial employment. The project is from October 2008 to December 2009 and its total budget is estimated at US$ 11,000.

5. Participant from China

Project Title: WIN-WIN EMPLOYMENT - To develop cooperation with companies for opening up to PWDs and provides supporting and service for stable work
Summary: This project aims to promote employment of persons with disabilities through the following three objectives: (1) 80 persons with physical disorders will be employed at an insurance company A in two years, (2) 15 persons with physical disorders and hearing impairment will be employed at a private company P, (3) Two training courses will be provided in two years for persons with intellectual disabilities in service industry in cooperation with two companies M and N. The duration of project is from October 2008 to September 2010 and the total budget is estimated at US$ 4,049,460.

6. Participant from Bangladesh

Project Title: PEACE TO LIVE - Income Generation Program for Persons with Intellectual & Physical Disabilities
Summary: This project will provide social rehabilitation training and vocational training to 20 persons with disabilities respectively, from 18 to 35 years of age, from 4 different self help groups. Social rehabilitation training aims to improve life skills and social skills of persons with disabilities. Vocational trainings are provided in three subjects: Block printing on cloths, Batic printing on cloths, and Jurdousi (embroidery) on cloths. The project period is from August 2008 to December 2009 and its total budget is estimated at US$ 43,843.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0730.html

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Training Report : July 29, 2008 PM: Future Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities

Time flies and this afternoon was the last lecture in Japan !

The lecture was about the “Future Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities” given by Mr. Katsunori Fujii, Executive Director of Kyosaren (Japan Association of Community Workshop for Disabled Persons).
Those participants who went to see the film “A Piece of Your Home” on June 26 recognized his face.

Mr. Fujii gave explanation of the importance of to work and the relationship between work and disability. He talked about reasonable accommodation mentioned in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Then he told the participants that it already moved from the medical model to the social model, of which standpoint was also being applied to employment issues.

Mr. Fujii then gave his opinion on the future perspective in the field of employment of persons with disabilities. He explained the desirable direction by introducing the European case where the labor law and minimum wage were applied to sheltered workshops and community workshops, and the government or companies compensate some part of salary and provide human support for employees with disabilities.

At the end of his lecture, Mr. Fujii talked to the six participants about Mr. Ichiro Maruyama, founder of this training course and former course leader. He explained that in August 2007, Mr. Maruyama appealed to the International Labor Organization (ILO) that Japanese government was breaching the ILO Convention No. 159. It was the first case for the Japanese government to be sued internationally and it was also the first case for ILO to be appealed in regard to Convention No. 159 as an employment issue of persons with disabilities. The core of his appeal was that the labor law should be applied to the persons with severe disabilities who are working at sheltered workshops or small scale community workshops. Its judgment will be given soon.

Mr. Maruyama fought for persons with disabilities especially in the employment field until his last moments. Keep Mr. Mayuyama's ambition and his spirits in our heart, and let us strive for employment promotion of persons with disabilities in each respective country.

Mr. Maruyama's Acceptance Speech

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Training Report : July 29, 2008 AM: The Right to Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities

What is Decent Work?

The lecturer Mr. Ryosuke Matsui, Professor of Hosei University asked the participants.

This morning, Mr. Matsui gave a comprehensive lecture on the rights to decent work of persons with disabilities. He explained major international conventions, recommendation, declaration etc. related to the employment of persons with disabilities.

For many participants it was first time to know about international efforts to eliminate the discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment field. Today they understood that everyone, with or without disabilities, without any exception, has the right to work. Not just to work but decent work!

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0729am.html

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Training Report : July 28, 2008: Final Check of Project Plan

This morning, the six participants had the last half a day session with Ms. Sarajean Rossitto.

Each participant practiced making a presentation for 15 minutes in front of other participants. While listening to the presentation, they were asked to check if all the topics were covered or not, using the check sheet prepared by Ms. Rossitto. On this sheet, they also wrote down two positive points, two suggestions to improve, one question and other comments. Ms. Rossitto checked the full text of their project plan and wrote comments for each participant. All the feedbacks were very valuable to them as they could use these ideas to improve their project presentation.

During this course, the participants had two and half days with Ms. Rossitto. Starting from no experience of writing project plan or project proposals, the participants now acquired basic knowledge of project plan writing and presentation skill.

There was no lecture or visit programmed for this afternoon so that they could use this time for more writing. After the lunch, all the participants came back to the classroom and worked on their project plans.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0728.html

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Training Report : July 1, 2008 PM: Visit: Japan Organization for Employment of the Eldery and Persons with Disabilities (JEED)

After Tokyo Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities, they visited the headquarters of JEED, where they can enjoyed the view of the Tokyo Bay and the Rainbow Bridge.

Mr. Eisuke Saotome, Executive Vice President of JEED gave a welcome speech and a brief explanation of their services to all the participants. JEED was originally established in 1971 as the Association for Employment of the Disabled. Its name and role had changed according to changes in the social aspects or needs, and the Japan Organization for Employment of the Eldery and Persons with Disabilities was established in 2003.
URL for JEED: http://www.jeed.or.jp/english/index.html

Mr. Yoshihiko Nonaka, one of the committee members and Development Section Chief, Vocational Rehabilitation Center, National Institute of Vocational Rehabilitation, JEED gave them a lecture on Vocational Rehabilitation. He not only lectured but also showed them a video about the history of employment for persons with disabilities in Japan to deepen their knowledge.

On the way back to JICA Tokyo, they could see the Tokyo Tower from the bus.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0701pm.html

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Training Report : July 1, 2008 AM: Visit Tokyo Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities

Six participants took a bus from JICA Tokyo to Ueno to visit Tokyo Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Mr. Shigeru Okano, Director, Ms. Chie Arisawa, Assistant Director, and Mr. Yuki Kato, Head Supervisor welcomed them at the entrance of the center.
After the welcome speech by Mr. Okano, Ms. Arisawa explained the role of this center.

Local Vocational Centers for Persons with Disabilities are located throughout Japan. The Center provides the vocational rehabilitation services such as vocational evaluation, vocational guidance, work preparation support, OA training courses and evaluation of individuals with intellectual and severe intellectual disabilities. Services provided both for persons with disabilities themselves and employers are support through job coaches and comprehensive employment support for persons with disabilities. And the center also provides services specific to employers such as consultation, assistance and employment management support.

Mr. Kato showed the participants around the center. And six participants became interested in vocational evaluation methods. They could try and experience different tools and learn how to use them.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0701am.html

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August 18, 2008

Training Report : July 25, 2008 PM : Learning from former participants through JICA-Net (TV conference)

Today's program is to learn from the activities of former participants through JICA-Net. JICA-Net facility enables to organize TV conferences regardless of distance constraints. This year, it was connected with two former participants of this course, Ms. Rekha Sriyani from Sri Lanka and Mr. Try Suphearac from Cambodia. Both are the participants of the course in 2007.

Ms. Rekha is a social service officer of the Department of Social Services, Central Province of Sri Lanka. Using the ideas and knowledge gained in Japan, she planned an “Income Generation Program for People with Spinal Cord Injuries.” In Sri Lanka, people with spinal cord injuries were depressed and dependent on family and government, and they cannot have future plans or look for new jobs. In order to solve this situation, she put the above program into practice.

After returning to her country, she started a variety of vocational training programs such as making brooms, candles and greeting cards, growing mushrooms, packing spices, etc. She has carefully chosen the training subjects considering market needs. She also considered that most of persons with spinal cord injuries use wheelchairs and chose suitable activities which wheelchair users can do. She also organized peer counseling among people with spinal cord injuries and also social rehabilitation such as training in wearing cloths and toileting etc. The pictures showed that these activities empowered the people with spinal cord injuries and they could regain confidence.

Mr. Try is a representative of Watthan Artisans Cambodia (WAC): A cooperative of Cambodian handicraft producers with disabilities. His project title is “SMILE HANDICRAFTS - To provide handicraft skill training and continue employment for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities.”

After the training in Japan, he started new training courses in wood carving and tailoring and 23 trainees are taking these courses and produce marketable products. Initially he tried to get grants but he failed. But he started again from the beginning and carried out these programs with smaller but several donations from other organizations. Now the products of WAC are sold even to European customers through internet. You can visit their website at http://www.wac.khmerproducts.com/

Mr. Akira Terashima, Planning Committee Member, participated in this program and he gave overall comments to both of the speakers. All the participants also contributed to the session by asking questions or giving comments.
Through JICA-Net, the participants could have real-time communication and opinion exchanges with these two former participants. They could see that neither Ms. Rekha nor Mr. Try gave up when they faced difficulties. Through these good examples of former participants, they could have clearer image of how they apply their learning in Japan to their activities upon returning to home countries.

We are deeply grateful to Ms. Rekha and Mr. Try for preparing the presentation materials and taking part in today's session.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0725pm.html

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August 11, 2008

Training Report : July 24, 2008 : How to Write Project Plan Ⅱ and Presentation Skill

This morning, the participants looked a little bit tired　because they had worked hard on writing drafts of their Project Plans by this morning.

This was the second day with Ms. Sarajean Rossitto. In the morning she checked their drafts and gave advices on where they were not sure about and where they could improve.

Afternoon was about presentation skill. Ms. Sarajean asked the participants to work in pair and brainstorm dos and don'ts when making a presentation. They came out with many ideas such as speaking clearly, making eye contact, not reading out of paper etc.

Ms. Sarajeam explained how to make an effective presentation covering various topics such as preparation, purpose, contents, format, delivery, visual aids etc. During the class, each participant started to write presentation outline using their drafts as a base.

Now that they know the key elements for making an effective presentation, the only thing they need to do is to practice.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0724.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:17 PM | Comments (0)

Training Report : June 26, 2008 : Special Preview of a film “A Piece of Your Home” (Furusato wo Kudasai)

After today's lecture, 4 participants from China, Bangladesh, Laos and Vietnam went to see the special preview of a film “A Piece of Your Home” (Furusato wo Kudasai) with English Subtitle. It took place in the Nippon Foundation at Akasaka, central Tokyo.

The film is produced by Kyousaren (Japan Association of community Workshop for Disabled Persons). The story is about how people with mental disabilities have fought for and established their living in community of a country side village of Japan. It is based on the real story and filmed in a real place. The participants enjoyed watching this film.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0626.html

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August 07, 2008

Training Report : July 22 - 23, 2008 : Individual Training Program

This course is group training but two days individual training is programmed for each participant.

Since the arrival to Japan, the participants were asked by JSRPD staff about what they were interested in to learn more deeply and what they would like to do upon their return to home country to improve employment situation of persons with disabilities. Thus individual program was created suitable for each one of participants.

Through the individual training, the participants could deepen the understanding of their field of interests and of specific topics which were especially related to their Project Plan which is to be submitted at the end of the training in Japan.

The following table shows the training program of each participant.

DAISY stands for Digital Accessible Information System. The participant from Bangladesh is partially involved in the production of recorded books using DAISY, so today she learned about DAISY at the Information Center of JSRPD to deepened her understanding of DAISY in general. She was impressed to know that DAISY books are not only for persons with visual impairment but also useful for other people such as people with intellectual disabilities, elderly people etc. Learn more about DAISY at http://www.daisy.org/

SAORI can be woven by anyone and its weaving machine is easily adapted for any types of disabilities. In the organization of the participant from Nepal, its members make knitting products using loops or crochet hooks, but not weaving equipment like the one for SAORI. So after experiencing how to weave SAORI, she wishes to have something like this in her organization.
Also SAORI seems to have a healing power. When weaving, the Nepali participants concentrated so much and afterwards she seemed to be uplifted.
Learn more about SAORI at http://www.saori.co.jp/13english.html.

At Koyukai, the participants from Fiji and Laos experienced playing the Sound Table Tennis (STT) which can be played by people with or without visual impairment. The Fijian participant was excited to know about STT for the first time and he is now planning to introduce it in Fiji enthusiastically. In Laos, STT was already introduced in last January by a volunteer group of Japanese people including Ms. Igarashi, Executive Director of Koyukai and their STT players. The Lao participant wants to teach STT when he goes back to his country. We wish the STT will empower a lot of people with visual impairment in Laos, Fiji and other Asian-Pacific countries.

At Pallet, the participant from Nepal learned how to bake cookies for the first time in her life. As one of production activities in her organization, she had a desire to produce something like sweets which is daily consumption but she didn’t know how to. She was so much impressed how tasty and how high quality Pallet cookies are. In Nepal, there is something like cookies but not as tasty as the ones she tasted at Pallet, the participant commented. Now that the participant learned how to bake cookies, she is planning to introduce production of cookies in her organization.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0722.html

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Training Report : July 18, 2008 : Employment of Persons with Mental Disabilities

Today the participants visited Social Welfare Corporation JHC Itabashi. It aims to promote independence and social participation of persons with mental disabilities. JHC stands for Joint (cooperation, sharing, interaction), House (base), and Cosmos (harmony). They run 9 facilities and today the participants visited three of them: San Marina, Akatsuka and Cosmos.

First visit was San Marina. San Marina is a clubhouse established in 1992 and it aims to promote self-help activities of persons with mental disabilities. Mr. Toshiyuki Munakata, one of the committee members is its director, and so he accompanied the participants all day through.

San Marina is located right in the middle of a busy local shopping street. So, some participants got attempted to shop for bargains on its way.

As soon as the participants arrived at San Marina, they observed the morning assembly. In this meeting, the members who are persons with mental disabilities, check their health and emotional conditions and confirm what they plan to do on that day. Staff members, who are qualified social workers, nurses etc. are there to support the members when necessary. Then the participants received the explanation about the development of JHC Itabashi from two members.

You can learn more about clubhouse at website of International Center for Clubhouse Development (http://www.iccd.org/article.asp?articleID=3)

The participants had lunch at San Marina. It was prepared by members of San Marina. The menu is decided by the members in charge and shopping and cooking is all done by them too. All the participants enjoyed the delicious lunch.

In the afternoon, the participants moved from San Marina to Akatsuka using public transportation. Unfortunately it started raining heavily and by the time they got to Akatsuka, they were all soaked wet. But they are warmly welcomed by all the staff of Akatsuka.

Akatsuka is located in a center of a quiet residential area. It aims to promote employment of persons with mental disabilities through production and sales of confectionary such as cakes and cookies and also operation of cafe. Through these activities, the persons with mental disabilities can interact with people in a community. The second visit in the afternoon was Cosmos. It is also a facility which aims employment promotion of persons with mental disabilities. Cosmos operates a restaurant and also food delivery services. They prepare about 70 lunch boxes a day. As both Akatsuka and Cosmos provides social skill training an important part of their activities, such as communication skills, health control, daily living skills etc.

By the end of the visit, it stopped raining. The participants learned about how people with mental disabilities could live and work in a community with a support in a community.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0718.html

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Training Report : June 30, 2008 PM : Visit : Shinagawa Public Employment Security Office

Six participants took the subways and went to Roppongi where Sinagawa Public Employment Security Office was located.
Mr. Sato, Director of Employment Divistion first explained about PESO.
The role of PESO is not only to support persons with disabilities in looking for thier jobs but also to create new job opportuniries in open labor market.
Participants also learned about the relation between PESO and other related organizations and they could understand the importance of networking.
And then, each participant tried the search for job on computers. They were very surprised to know that they could find a job of any place in Japan at Shinagawa Public Employment Security Office.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0630pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:44 AM | Comments (0)

Training Report : June 30, 2008 AM : Lecture: Current Situation of Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Japan

Mr. Masaya Asahi, lecturer for this morning, became sick and could not give a lecture. Six participants were so disappointed to know that.
They had no alternative, so Ms. Keiko Nakatani from JSRPD explained about the following topics by using a boolet “Supporting the Employment of Persons with Disabilities” published by JEED.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0630am.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:43 AM | Comments (0)

July 28, 2008

Training Report : July 14, 2008 : How to Write Project Plan Ⅰ

The six participants are requested to write and submit Project Plan at the end of the training in Japan. Two and half days workshops are programmed for them to acquire skills of how to write a project plan and how to make an effective presentation. The workshops are given by Ms. Sarajean Rossitto, convener of NGO People for Social Change, and today was the first day with her.

Ms. Sarajean explained about 12 topics to be covered in their Project Plan one by one. Many simple examples were shown so that the participants could understand how to write each topic easily. She also introduced many discussions in pairs, and therefore the participants could get more ideas and learn from each other. All the participants brought their computers today, so they could start typing their Project Plan during the workshops.

Learning how to write Project Plan is a very useful skill as it can be used as a base for project proposals or grant proposals. For all the participants, it was the first time to write a project plan like this, but through the step by step explanation, they could get a hang of it. Now that the participants have ideas of what to write in their Project Plan, they are asked to write a draft plan and bring it to the next session with her on 24th July.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0714.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:41 AM | Comments (0)

Training Report : June 27, 2008 PM : Process of Vocational Rehabilitation

Now that the participants understand the overall process of rehabilitation, in the afternoon, Mr. Yoshihiko NONAKA, another Planning Committee Members, gave a lecture on the Process of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Firstly Mr. Nonaka explained about 4 steps of vocational rehabilitation and main services. These four steps are (1) Counseling on Finding Employment, Vocational Assessment, (2) Preparation, Training for Work, (3) Employment Searching, Job Placement, (4) Work adjustment → Fruitful Life through Work.

Then he talked about the employment situation of persons with disabilities in Japan as well as the organizations/institutions which provide employment support to persons with disabilities. He introduced the Employment Quota System and the Levy and Grant System. In some of the participants' countries, they have quota systems but not levy and grant system. At the end Mr. Nonaka explained what process persons with disabilities take to get job placement. The participants now have clearer understanding of vocational rehabilitation.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0627.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:32 AM | Comments (0)

Training Report : July 16 & 17, 2008 : Facilitator Skills

Second two days session with Mr. Ikezumi has come. This time, each participant had an opportunity to facilitate 30 minutes session. For the facilitation, they could choose any topics related to this course which they want to share or discuss with the group.

Some participants chose daily topics such as “shopping” or “laptop”, while others chose topics related to disabilities such as “how to use wheelchairs” or “what is disabilities.” Some participants introduced ice breaking exercises to start the session or to change the mood in the middle of the session.

After each session, the participants gave a lot of feedbacks to each other. These feedbaks helped each one to improve their facilitation in the future. After all facilitations, the participants wrote down on papers what messages were conveyed.

For all the participants, facilitator skills were something new, but after four days session with Mr. Ikezumi, they now have some idea. The participants could learn a lot of important things from Mr. Ikezumi and from each other.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0716.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:39 AM | Comments (0)

Training Report : July 8, 2008 Morning: “Zao Suzushiro” Afternoon: “Kokoron”

In the morning the six participants observed the work site of Zao Suzushiro, where users with intellectual and mental disabilities make Tofu (Bean curd). Since good quality soy beans can be harvested in Zao region, Mr. Takeda decided to produce Tofu at his facility. Making Tofu is actually a hard work, however all the users have responsibility in each position and enjoy working together with fellow workers. JICA participants learned how to make Tofu and tasted fresh Tofu and understood why they can sell this Tofu well.

Six participants said good bye to “Zao Suzushiro” and left for Fukushima Prefecture by bus. All the participants admired the beautiful senery of rice paddy fields.

After two-hour drive, the participants arrived at “Kokoron” which is a Living Support Center for Persons with Mental Disabilities in Izumizaki Village. Ms. Yoshie Kumada, Director of “Kokoron” kindly cooked lunch for them. All the JICA participants enjoyed curry and salad.

Then they took part in the peer counseling session. Users shared their experiences and there they could express their emotions or feelings without worrying about the reaction of other people.

Mr. AkihikoTasaki, one of staff members of Kokoron, gave them a brief outline of Kokoron by using Power Point material.

In the evening, Kokoron staff and users kindly hold a welcoming party for the participants. Staff and members of Samegawa Tampopo-no-ie, which they were programed to visit next day, came all the way to join this party by driving nearly one hour. The participants very much enjoy the party and they were touched with the warm heart and the hospitality of people in Izumizaki and Samegawa.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0708.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:36 AM | Comments (0)

July 23, 2008

Training Report : July 7, 2008 : Regional Visit Day 1

Lecture by Mr. Hajime TAKEDA,
Chairperson of the Board of Directors,
Social Welfare Corporation “Harakara Welfare Association”

One week regional training was programed in Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures, northeastan area of Japan.
Mr. Yoshihiko NONAKA, one of Planning Committee Members, is from Fukushima Prefecture. As he was familiar with the region, he gave a lot of valuable advices on the arrangement of this regional programs, and then he also accompanied the participants throughout this week.

Six participants took Shinkansen (Bullet train) for Shiraishi Zao in Miyagi Prefecture. It seemed the compartment No. 6 was occupied by JICA group.
They all enjoy two-hours private train trip.

After arriving at Shiraishi Zao, they took a bus to “Zao Suzushiro” (Suzushiro means Japanese white radish) to have a lecture by Mr. Hajime Takeda, founder of Harakara Social Welfare Corporation.
Harakara consists of eight main facilities and two branch facilities, and runs nine group homes (eight of which also function as care homes).
Total number of the users are 260.

Harakara is conducted under the following three philosophies.

1) Everyone is the same human being, whether he/she has disabilities or not, and whether the disabilities are severe or mild.

2) In order to realize an ordinary life in the local community, we aim to secure the monthly income of JPY150, 000 including the pension.

3) To work means to share a social responsibility, therefore, the challenging job should be secured.

All the participants were impressed to know Mr. Takeda's strong will which to secure the minimum wage JPY 75,000 for all the users.

Before going back to the hotel, they had a chance to visit a care home for persons with intellectual disabilities and six JICA participants witnessed users of Harakara enjoy independent life at the care home.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0707.html

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Training Report : July 4, 2008 : Job Report Presentation

In this training course, the participants are asked to write three reports:
Job Report, Project Plan, and Progress Report. Today the participants presented their first report, Job Report.

The venue was at the Waseda University's International Community Center (ICC). Waseda University is one of the most well-known Japanese universities with high reputation and the participants had a great opportunity to visit there today.

Job Report used to be called Inception Report but the name changed this year to Job Report. The participants gave a presentation focusing on their job in their home countries. Please click the below to see their presentation materials.

In the morning

Presentation 1: Participant from Bangladesh
Presentation 2: Participant from China

In the afternoon

Presentation 3: Participant from Fiji
Presentation 4: Participant from Laos
Presentation 5: Participant from Nepal
Presentation 6: Participant from Vietnam

Today's program was organized in collaboration with the ICC, which was this year's new attempt. Many student volunteers were involved in the program, making posters, advertising the program, setting up the presentation stage, taking a role as masters of ceremony, assisting the participants at lunch time, etc. Thanks to the ICC’s cooperation, there were a number of students and other audience attending the presentation today. During the lunch time and at coffee break, the participants enjoyed interacting and exchanging information with students.

A number of NGO workers, who were interested in disability and development issues, were also present among the audience and they raised a lot of questions and comments. The participants also asked some questions to each other. After all the presentations, Mr. Akira Terashima, one of the Planning Committee Members, gave comments to each one of presentations.

For today's program, JICA provided Japanese and English interpreters as not all Japanese audience understood English. This also made it possible to allocate Japanese sign language interpreters and note-takers by computer to guarantee information accessibility for all. The presentation went successful and we appreciate the contribution of everyone involved in preparation of today's program.

From the presentations, the participants and the Japanese related personals could understand what each participant does at their work and also as the employment situation of persons with disabilities in their country. At the end, the participants took a group photo with audience and student volunteers.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0704.html

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July 16, 2008

Training Report : July 3, 2008, PM Visit to Isetan Soleil

Disability is Power !

In the afternoon, the participants visited Isetan Soleil, Co., Ltd., a special subsidiary of Isetan Co., Ltd. which runs one of the most famous department stores in Japan, Isetan. On its way, the participants passed by Isetan department store in Shinjuku and observed from outside how big and popular it is.

As the participants arrived at the company, Mr. Shioden, President of Isetan Soleil, came out to the entrance to welcome them with his warm smile. Firstly, the participants watched a video of a program broadcasted by a big TV company which took up the employment promotion of persons with disabilities at Isetan Soleil. Then they visited the workplace where employees with intellectual and mental disabilities are working.

As entering the workplace, the participants could feel that all employees were very much concentrating on their own tasks. Everyone was preceding his/her duties steadily and diligently. At Isetan Soleil, 26 employees with disabilities are working together with three employees without disabilities who also act as job coaches. There are more than 80 kinds of works done at Isetan Soleil, Mr. Shioden explained. They are supplementary tasks which used to be done by sales staff at a shop in Isetan Department Store such as folding wrapping papers, making gift bags, sorting credit card sales slips etc.

The participants could also observe various devices created by job coaches and used by employees with disabilities to produce the same products. For example, a paper mould which has a cut in a shape of a gift sticker indicates where the sticker should be pasted and thus anyone can paste a sticker on a gift bag easily and accurately. The participants tried some tasks which looked easy, but they felt to do it accurately and repeatedly was not as easy as it looked.

After the observation of workplace, President Mr. Shioden gave lecture about the company and their efforts in employing persons with disabilities. The participants could learn that if the environment is appropriately arranged and the appropriate jobs are provided, persons with intellectual or mental disabilities can also work. Some participants commented that in their counties employment of persons with intellectual disabilities are not considered and they were surprised to see today that persons with intellectual disabilities could be a strong workforce.

From today's two visits to Swan Bakery and Isetan Soleil, the participants could learn a lot from how those private companies have strived for employing persons with disabilities not as charity or welfare but as business.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0703pm.html

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

Training Report : July 3, 2008, AM : Visit to Swan Bakery

Today the participants had an opportunity to visit two special subsidiaries of famous Japanese companies in different industries.

In the morning, the participants visited “Swan Bakery Akasaka Shop” of Swan Co., Ltd. Swan Co., Ltd. is a special subsidiary of Yamato Holding Co., Ltd., one of the leading companies in the fields of its delivery, logistics etc.

Mr. Ayumu Kaizu, President of Swan Co., Ltd. explained about the company's efforts to employ persons with disabilities. The participants could learn a lot of clues for working with persons with disabilities from him; for example, there is no limit in the abilities of persons with disabilities; arrange the work environment and people can work; motivation is the best management resource etc.

Then the participants visited the bakery shop to observe how people with disabilities work. The participants could not distinguish employees with disabilities and without disabilities. One of staff with intellectual disabilities demonstrated Latte Art, which is a drawing on top of coffee with whipped milk. The participants got excited to see how beautifully done it was.

At Swan Bakery Akasaka Shop 50 different kinds of breads (1500 breads in total) are baked everyday. The participants witnessed how popular and busy the shop is, as at lunch time there was a very long queue of customers. They kindly prepared lunch box of three different breads for the participants and the participants could taste how delicious they are!

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0703am.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:58 PM | Comments (0)

July 14, 2008

Training Report : July 2, 2008 : Community Visit

Prof. Yoshimichi Ogawa, Planning Committee Member, organized today's visit to 3 homes of persons with severe disabilities in Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

In the morning, the participants visited a home of a person who has quadriplegia due to cervical injury. She lives in a barrier-free flat of a public housing provided by Atsugi City, with her husband and a daughter. She uses personal assistance throughout a day, including volunteers of university students at night time. She told to the participants that she had to negotiate many times with the City Hall in order to obtain the services and conditions which she has now. The participants were impressed with her strong spirits.

Then the participants visited the Comprehensive Welfare Center of Atsugi City to have lunch at a restaurant “Donguri (acorn)” where persons with disabilities are working. They also quickly visited a consultation room located in the same building, where consultation services for all three types of disabilities ? physical, intellectual, and mental ? are conveniently provided in one location for the citizens of Atsugi City and some neighboring municipalities.

In the afternoon, the participants had an opportunity to visit a home of a person who has quadriplegia due to car accident and to learn about the “employment at home.” He is an employee of a special subsidiary of a famous company in the employment service industry in Japan. In stead of commuting to an office, he works at home using a computer. He explained both merits and demerits of working at home, and he emphasized how important “to work” is for him.

Lastly the participants visited a dream house. It's a barrier-free house designed by a couple with disabilities. The participants were amazed with various assistive devices and automated equipment. Participant from Laos tried an electric lift to transfer from a bed to toilet and then to a bathroom. Afterwards, he smiled and commented “it was rather comfortable.”

Before visiting this house, the participants had an opportunity to make a short visit to a community workshop where the husband works as a director and observe how people with disabilities work in a community.

From today's community visit, the participants could understand that even persons with severe disabilities can live independently in a community.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0702.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:53 PM | Comments (0)

July 09, 2008

Training Report : June 28-29, 2008 Home Stay

Discover the Japanese Lifestyle !

This weekend the participants enjoyed staying at homes of Japanese family, discovering what Japanese people’s life is like.

Each participant stayed at a different host family, so on the way to meet the family, the participants had felt excited but at the same time a little bit nervous.

But to meet the welcoming smiles of their host families, such worries disappeared. Their host families welcomed the participants, bringing handmade “welcome” signs or a board with participants' name on.

Just overnight stay was a short time. But now the participants have their second family in Japan. Thank you to Japanese families for your hospitality !

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0628.html

Posted by jicafriends at 01:08 PM | Comments (0)

July 03, 2008

Training Report : June 25 & 26, 2008　Participatory Workshop: Facilitator Skills

Mr. Ikezumi YOSHINORI is a famous facilitator known for his participatory approach. He has worked as an NGO worker internationally including many of Asian countries which the participants are from.

There are four days with him during the training in Japan and we had the first two days. Everyone in the room was encouraged to give opinions and comments freely.

Using the simple materials and exercises, Mr. Ikezumi conveyed ideas and messages to the participants. Through discussion and exchange of ideas, the participants could learn about many key points in facilitation skills.

At the end of the two days session, some participants commented that they gained a new understanding on the disability, new approach to communicate with people, and even a new philosophy of life.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0625.html

Posted by jicafriends at 01:06 PM | Comments (1)

Training Report : June 24, 2008 : Visit : National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities...

The first observation trip

Six participants visited a huge rehabilitation site, where you can find Rehabilitation Hospital, Rehabilitation Center including training for daily living activities, and Vocational Rehabilitation Center.

In the morning, the six participants observed comprehensive rehabilitation services at the National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities. First they toured the employment promotion service section which helps trainees get jobs at open labor market, such as basic pre-work, laundry work, office work, worksite trainings. They can acquire basic skills for employment. And then the participants moved to the facility for the training for independent living. All participants were surprised to see the realistic setting for the training. Everyone couldn’t believe fishes, fruits, vegetables and other goods arranged in order are not real, but they are imitations! Weight of each good is carefully checked and it is made as the same weight as a real one to learn the actual work situation.

Just before lunch, the participants observed the prosthesis and orthosis. Can you tell which is a real hand and which is an artificial hand?

After the lunch, the participants visited the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities and firstly they watched an introductory video of the center. Then they toured the center to observe various vocational training programs offered at the center, inluding training course in Hotel Service for persons with intellectual disabilities.

The participants also visited the rehabilitation hospital and observed barrier-free bathroom, actually experiencing different kinds of toilets, how to use bath-board etc.

Before finishing today's program, they returned to the Rehabilitation Hospital to observe physical therapy and occupational therapy section. The participants also observed the bathroom and toilet, actually experiencing different kinds of toilets, how to use bath-board etc.

Today was a long day but the participants could have a overall observation of the rehabilitation services given at the national level.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0624.html

Posted by jicafriends at 01:03 PM | Comments (0)

Training Report : June 23, 2008 PM : Welfare Services for Persons with Disabilities in Japan

The first lecture was given at the Ministry of Labor, Health.

It was about the Welfare Services for Persons with Disabilities in Japan, given by Mr. Takao CHINONE, Special Advisor, in the field of welfare for persons with disabilities.

Mr. Chinone gave a comprehensive explanation on the topic, including historical development of welfare services for persons with disabilities, definition of disabilities, reform of health and welfare policies and measures for persons with disabilities, assistive devices, income security, measures related education and so on. Thus participants could gain an overall understanding of the welfare services for persons with disabilities in Japan.

On the way to the Ministry, the participants passed by the National Diet of Japan.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0623pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)

June 26, 2008

Training Report : June 23, 2008 AM Program Orientation

Welcome to Japan!

Six participants from the following six countries - Bangladesh, China, Fiji, Laos, Nepal, and Vietnam - arrived on June 17.

Today, the training program started.

In the morning, Mr. Masaya ASAHI, Course Leader and Planning Committee Member, explained about the course, giving the outline of the training program.

Two more out of five planning committee members were present too; Mr. Akira TERASHIMA and Mr. Yoshimichi OGAWA. The participants will receive lectures from the planning committee members during the course.

Each participant introduced himself/herself in turn and also stated their expectation for the coming up training. We could see that the participants were all highly motivated to learn from Japan and from each other.

Let's Explore, Encounter and Change with jicafriends!

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0623am.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:16 PM | Comments (0)

December 12, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Lecture : JICA Volunteers

November 15, 2007 :
Lecture : JICA Volunteers

Since a program on “JICA Volunteers” was introduced in this training many former participants are now interested in requesting JICA volunteers to their organizations.

Actually a former participant of Leaders Course 2004 requested a junior volunteer in the field of community development and now the volunteer was dispatched to his organization to work with persons with disabilities in Ghana.

Today Ms. Hiroko Irumata came to explain about JICA volunteers to ten participants. She showed the data related to JICA volunteers working in their respective countries. As the same as previous years, most of the participants of this year did not know about JICA volunteers. Now they know what kinds of professions and skills JICA volunteers can transfer to their countries and the procedure from request to dispatch.

People is a resource. Build a network between former JICA participants and JICA resources, and their respective activities can be improved. Let's all work together for better quality of life of persons with disabilities in the world!

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1115.html

Posted by jicafriends at 01:04 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Presentation Ceremony

November 9, 2007:
Presentation Ceremony

Right after participants arrive at JICA Tokyo, the secretariat interview the participants and one of the questions is related to a wheelchair. We ask each participant if he/she would like to bring a used wheelchair back to his/her home country.

This year all the participants who use wheelchairs or need wheelchairs whenthey travel long distance answered “yes!”.

The secretariat dialed Friendly Life Community (FLC) to ask for collection of seven used wheelchairs and then students of Kanagawa Institute of Technology, who belong to Wheelchair Repair Circle (KWR), fixed and conditioned them. Both FLC and KWR are located in Zama City which is about one and half hour drive away from JICA Tokyo.

After the lecture a presentation ceremony was organized to hand over seven wheelchairs to the participants. Mr. Shotaro YAMAGUCHI from FLC and three students from KWR had to use two cars to bring seven wheelchairs to JICA Tokyo. They even rented one car for it.!

There are many countries, where majority of people have never seen a wheelchair. In such situation, people who have mobility difficulty are forced to stay in a house without receiving proper education or any other opportunities to participante in a society. The participants will bring back a wheelchair not for their own use but for other people in need of wheelchair. These wheelchairs given today will go over the oceans and will change the life of persons with disabilities in other countries.

Special thanks to Friendly Life Community and Kanagawa Institute of Technology!

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l110902.html

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December 06, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Presentation : Action Plan

November 14, 2007 :
Presentation : Action Plan

Today ten participants presented their Action Plan. Each participant had 30 minutes for their presentation (5 minutes for preparation, 15 minutes for presentation, 10 minutes for Q&A). They explained what they learned from the training program in Japan and what they were planning to do upon their return to their countries.

Among the audience were three people from the Nippon Foundation and Mr. Miyamoto from DPI-Japan and they gave the participants many feedbacks. Also three planning committee members, three JICA officers, two JICE coordinators and three JSRPD staff were present. Mr. Yamaguchi, planning committee member, who unfortunately could not participate today had sent his comments and we also shared them after all the presentations.

The following is the title of each Action Plan. Please click the title to read the full text.

The Japanese side could understand what the participants learned from this training and how it helped them create a plan for their future activities.

However it is certain that the impacts of this training is more than what they presented in short time today. We wish them all the best in their future activities to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities in their home country.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1114.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:55 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Workshop : Final Check of Action Plan

November 13, 2007 :
Workshop : Final Check of Action Plan

By Ms. Sarajean ROSSITTO

This was the third and last day with Ms. Sarajean Rossitto and also it was one day before the Action Plan Presentation.

Firstly the participants worked in pairs to check their presentation outlines and give feedbacks to each other. Then they had a presentation practice in front of the group. Just like the real situation, each presenter had 15 minutes and the time was noticed three minutes before and also when the time was up. Some finished before the time and others could not finish within the time. The rest of the participants checked whether all items were covered in a presentation and also gave comments on good points and points to be improved. Ms. Rossitto reviewed their written drafts and gave comments to each. All the feedbacks were valuable and useful as they could make improvements to their action plan.

In this afternoon the participants worked individually to complete their action plan and prepare for the presentation tomorrow.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1113.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:50 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Visit to Yamano College of Aesthetics and Lecture on “Aesthetics and Welfare for Persons with Disabilities”

November 10, 2007 :
Visit :
Yamano College of Aesthetics
Lecture :
“Aesthetics and Welfare for Persons with Disabilities”

Yamano College of Aesthetics is unique in combining the aspects of aesthetics and welfare, with its aim to improve the quality of life of all people through cosmetology. The college offers a course which prepares students for both national hairstylist's license and national welfare worker's license.

Last year this program was unofficial and on a smaller scale, being held in JICA Tokyo. Recognizing the importance of the theme and also the distinguished characteristics of the college, this year it became an official program and the participants visited the campus of Yamano College to study more comprehensively as the following schedule.

Ms. Jane Aiko Yamano is one of the leading figures in aesthetics in Japan.
The participants got excited from the beginning of the day to see her demonstration show of quick change of so many costumes from a Japanese traditional wedding dress till a western style wedding dress.

After the lunch, the participants had a college tour and observed the classrooms equipped for practical study on various aspects of welfare. For example there was a classroom with various types of bath equippment so that the students can learn how to assist elderly people or persons with disability to have a bath. There was also a classroom with kitchen facilities. The students of Biyo Fukushi (Beauty and Welfare) Course learn about cooking related matters, which are necessary in order to work as welfare workers.

After the tour, Ms. Watanabe, director of Biyo Fukushi (Beauty and Welfare) Course, explained about the college and talked about relation of welfare and beauty. The participants could understand the effects of aesthetic on people's mind and body.

Today the participants could also experience Kimono and tea ceremony and enjoyed learning about Japanese traditional culture. Although it was a rainy, the day became a unforgettable memory for the participants.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1110.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:46 PM | Comments (0)

December 02, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : NGO Management

November 7, 2007 :
Lecture :
NGO Management (including fund raising)

Today, the participants learned about Organizational Management lectured by Ms. Yoko Asakawa.
She is one of the founding members of JEN (Japan Emergency NGOs) and she has been engaged in the realm of emergency assistance as well as JEN's organizational development since its establishment in 1994.
JEN is a NPO which aims to support reconstruction of the life which was lost after war or disaster.
She explained major issues of organizational management using her own experiences, especially difficulties that she faced in the process of JEN's development.

She said that it is important to consider both merits and demerits of being different sizes of organization, keeping in mind its mission to achieve. The participants understood that a bigger organization is not always good.
She also illustrated stages of organizational growth and it was easy to see in which stage one's organization stands.
Attractive slogan is another important factor of organizational management.
It appeals to the donors and makes people understand easily why the organization exist.
So the participants made their own slogans of their organizations and compared which are more attactive.

Different types of staff are needed to manage an organization.
The participants showed a strong interest in how to work with unpaid staff and volunteers.
She also mentioned about the importance of accounting. Keeping financial records and receipts, price comparison, and checking cash balance are essential duties.

Fundraising is the most difficult issue.
Ms. Asakawa said that an important point was to get continuous donations.
The key of asking for donation is starting from a small amount, after the success of one project increase it gradually.
She introduced a lot of practical tactics.

In the lecture, the participants also shared their experiences and gave comments to each other.
Ms. Asakawa commented that both successful and unsuccessful case studies are significant to figure out and avoid future problems.
All participants were eagerly attentive and understood well about key components of organizational management.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1107.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:50 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Importance of Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities

November 9, 2007 :
Lecture :
Importance of Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities
Mr. Eita YASHIRO, former member of the House of Representatives
Visit : Diet Building

Today the participants visited one of the Members' Office Buildings of the House of Representative to receive a lecture on the importance of political participation of persons with disabilities.

The lecturer, Mr. Eita Yashiro, is the first person with disabilities elected as a national diet member of Japan in 1977. “Send a Wheelchair to the Diet!” was his campaign slogan. He made the Diet building accessible.
In 1999 he was appointed to the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.

Mr. Yashiro introduced the ideal of normalization and also talked about the necessity of political participation of persons with disabilities in the local government as well as at a national level. Three participants got inspired to become a politician by Mr. Yashiro. We finished by singing “You Are My Sunshine” all together.

In the afternoon they visited the Diet Building and observed how it became accessible.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1109.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:23 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : How to Write Action Plan Ⅱ and Presentation Skill

November 8, 2007 :
Workshop : How to Write Action Plan Ⅱ and Presentation Skill

By Ms. Sarajean ROSSITTO

Today was the second day with Ms. Rossitto. Although the participants had only one week to write their action plan, they managed to bring their drafts for its revision. They worked in pairs to check whether all the items were included and could find some missing parts to be improved. With Ms. Rossitto, they were encouraged to work in pairs or small groups and give advices and suggestions to each other, learning mutually.

Then Ms. Rossitto demonstrated an example of a bad presentation and the participants pointed out many “Do's” and “Don'ts.” They also learned how to write the outline of their action plan, as in their presentation they would not be able to read out the full text. The participants practiced in pairs to explain the outline of their action plan in a fixed time and by doing so they could also practice making a presentation.

Today the participants clarified any parts that they were not sure about the writing process and also learned presentation skills. They showed concentration and worked hard. It was a tough day but they were now more prepared for their presentation.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1108.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Partnership of Government, International Community, NGO and PWD-Experiences in Lao PDR

November 12, 2007 :
Lecture :
Partnership of Government, International Community, NGO and PWD-Experiences in Lao PDR

By Mr. Shintaro NAKAMURA,
Former policy advisor to Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Lao PDR (JICA Long-term Expert)

Mr. Nakamura has just come back from Lao PDR this August after finishing a three-year contract with JICA.

He explained ten participants about his activities there which ranged from development of a long-term labour and social welfare plan to support for grass-root projects by young persons with disabilities.

His experiences in Lao PDR showed themthe importance of cooperative network between GO and selp-help organizations..

“Disability rights seminar and radio listening club” and “IT workshop for the visually impaired” were successfully done by persons with disabilities themselves under the cooperation of GO and international community.

At the end Mr. Nakamura gave them the following key factors to implement projects successfully.

* Act as a team, not individually
* Initiatives from PWD
* Start with a small step
* Make use of your competitive advantage
* Aggressively seek information about support schemes of government, NGO and international community
* Find collaborators in the government
* Transparency and accountability

Not only his lecture but also his big smiles empowered ten participants.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1112.html

Posted by jicafriends at 09:38 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : World Disability Movements - till the Adoption of the Convention

November 5, 2007 :
Lecture :
World Disability Movements - till the Adoption of the Convention

By Mr. Yutaka TAKAMINE,
Professor, Faculty of Law and Letters, University of the Ryukyus

Today's lecture is on the World Disability Movement and the lecturer is Mr. Takamine who used to work for UN ESCAP. His comprehensive lecture covered such topics as Globalization of the disability movement, UN Decade of PWDs (1983-1992), Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (1993-2002), other regional decades, Convention on the rights of PWDs, and Emerging issues.

The participants watched a video on APCD (Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability) which aims to promote the empowerment of people with disabilities and a barrier-free society in developing countries in the Asia and Pacific Region. Mr. Takamine talked about the importance of including disability issues in development.

Some participants were shocked to realize that they did not know much of what was happening in the world. Before finishing the lecture, he encouraged the participants by saying “The world is moving ! It is time for working on disability issues and resources are there!”

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1105.html

Posted by jicafriends at 09:01 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Discussion on Peace and Disability

October 26, 2007 :
Discussion on Peace and Disability

Mr. Yamaguchi, one of the planning committee members, had been accompanying the participants to this regional training. This morning he facilitated a discussion on peace and disability.

As a reference material for today's discussion, Mr. Yamaguchi had distributed a document called “WORLD PEACE - THROUGH THE EXPERIENCES OF A PERSON WITH DISABILITY.”
Thjs was written by a blind person from Sri Lanka and contained some clues for discussing world peace from the perspectives of persons with disabilities.

The participants reflected on what they learned from Hiroshima's experience and firstly they shared their impression of Hibakusha. Many participants stated that their countries had experienced wars or conflicts and that a conflict is one of the causes of disabilities. Some participants were surprised to hear from a Costa Rican participant that his country had been peaceful for many years and they even do not have military by the constitution.
In this opportunity, the participants could consider what they could do for peace in their community.

This afternoon the participants came back to Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train).

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1026.html

Posted by jicafriends at 07:50 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Accessible Tourism: Miyajima

October 25, 2007 PM :
Accessible Tourism: Miyajima
(UNESCO World Cultural Heritage)

Miyajima (literally “shrine island”) is a famous tourism attraction, being one of Japan's three most scenic views and also designated as UNESCO world cultural heritage. Miyajima is most famous for Itsukushima Shrine, which, together with its large wooden torii (gate), stands in the ocean during high tide.

This afternoon the participants visited Miyajima to learn about the accessible tourism. Everyone has a right to travel and go to places. The participants checked that the route was all accessible from the ferry pier, the ferry, streets, shops, till the building of shrine. The accessible tourism, attracting a wider range of tourists, could have an economic impact and in many of the participants' countries the tourism is an important source of income and today the participants could experience the importance of accessibility in tourism.

When we returned to the hotel, we took a photo with two bus drivers who have been accompanying us everyday. We hired two accessible buses for this one week regional training and it was the last night in Hiroshima. Thanks to them, we could smoothly conduct the training.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l102502.html

Posted by jicafriends at 07:18 PM | Comments (0)

November 30, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Hiroshima Prefectural Hatsukaichi School for Special Needs Education

October 25, 2007 AM :
Visit : Hiroshima Prefectural Hatsukaichi School for Special Needs Education

This morning we visited Hiroshima Prefectural Hatsukaichi School for Special Needs Education. After a introductory speech by Mr. Kanda, school principal, Mr. Takeshima, vice principal, explained about the school.

This school consists of elementary school, junior high school, and high school departments. The participants learned about school management, educational objectives of each department, curriculum and daily schedule.

Then, the participants went around and observed the school. They were surprised to see attention and consideration given to each student according to his or her disability.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l102501.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:59 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Hiroshima Prefectural Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Physical Disabilities

October 24, 2007 PM :
Visit : Hiroshima Prefectural Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Physical Disabilities

In the afternoon, the participants visited Hiroshima Prefectural Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Physical Disabilities. This center provides a range of support for persons with disabilities covering consultations regarding disabilities, diagnosis, evaluation, medical treatment, training, sports and social activities.

After receiving a lecture on the outline of the center from Mr. Kawasaki, Secretary General of the Rehabilitation Center, the participants visited each section of the center and its affiliated institutions and asked many questions.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l102402.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:22 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Hiroshima Prefectural Braille Library

October 24, 2007 AM :
Visit : Hiroshima Prefectural Braille Library

This morning the participants visited the Hiroshima Prefectural Braille Library to learn about its services for persons with visual impairment.

The participants learned about production and lending of Braille and recorded books, reading services, reference service through NAIVE network (National Association of Institutions of Information Service for Visually Impaired Persons) etc. They were surprised to know that the postage of materials for persons with visual impairments are free of charge in Japan, and also that the services are largely supported by a number of non-paid volunteers.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l102401.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:37 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

October 23, 2007 :
Message from a survivor of Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Blast
Visit: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

This morning, the participants met a survivor of the atomic bomb blast (or Hibakusha in Japanese) and listened to a message directly from her.
Yesterday Mr. Akiba mentioned about three important steps taken; 1) Hibakusha chose to live, 2) Hibakusha decided to talk about their experience and send a message, and 3) the message of Hibakusha is “no one else, including enemies, should not suffer from what we did.” The participants were surprised to realize that the atomic bomb blast is not the past history but its effect is still present, affecting many people. They were also shocked to hear that she does not hate the enemies.

To close this morning's session, the participant from Honduras said a thank you words on behalf of 10 participants.

After the lunch, the participants walked around the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and then visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The museum provides Peace Volunteers who give explanation to the visitors not only in Japanese but also in English. The participants were divided into small groups and went around the museum with Peace Volunteers.

It was a long day but became a unforgettable learning experience.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1023.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:00 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Human Rights and Advocacy

October 29, 2007 :
Workshop : Human Rights and Advocacy

We often use the words, “Human Rights” and “Advocacy.” However we sometimes do not notice when we are abused, neglected or discriminated.

Ms. keiko Higuchi, Ms. Kinue Suzuki and Mr. Hajime Iwamoto explained about human rights and advocacy by using role plays.
They started the workshop with a song “Kono machi ga sukisa (I like this > town).”

The participant from Cameroon played the part of father very well and a JSRPD staff had to play a role of bullying a wheelchair user.

Ten participants had experienced the same problems which a couple faced in the role plays. And they learned how to solve the problems.

Before closing the session Kinue san strongly appealed the following message.

“Don't think you are different from a beggar with disability. They are your peers. In order to get the same human rights as others, you have to stand up and change the society in your country.”

At the end of the workshop we all sang “I like this town” again and again.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1029.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:42 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : “Hiroshima's Devotion to World Peace”

October 22, 2007 :
Lecture: “Hiroshima's Devotion to World Peace”

by Mr. Nobuyuki TESHIMA,
Director of International Peace Promotion Department, the City of Hiroshima.
Courtesy Call : Mr. Tadatoshi AKIBA, Mayor of the City of Hiroshima

The participants left from JICA Tokyo early in the morning and flew from Haneda Airport to Hiroshima Airport. This is the beginning of one week regional training in the world famous city, Hiroshima. Peace education is the main theme of the training in Hiroshima.

Firstly the participants visited the International Conference Hall to receive a lecture on Hiroshima's Devotion to World Peace. Mr. Nobuyuki TESHIMA, Director of International Peace Promotion Department, explained about the atomic bomb and the peace activities promoted by the city of Hiroshima.

After the lecture, the participants moved to the Hiroshima City Hall and at 15:30 they made a courtesy call to Mr. Tadatoshi AKIBA, the Mayor of the City of Hiroshima.

Every year on August 6 a Peace Memorial Ceremony is held and the mayor issues a Peace Declaration towards the world, praying for the peaceful repose of the victims, for the abolition of nuclear weapons, and for lasting world peace.

Peace Declaration (in English, French, Russian, German, Korean, Chinese, Arabic)

http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/shimin/heiwa/declaration.html

Mr. Akiba also talked about ‘Mayors for Peace’. With the belief that cities are responsible for their citizens' life, ‘Mayors for Peace’ was founded in 1982 calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Currently there are 1828 member cities in 122 countries and regions. Please check if your city is a member of ‘Mayors for Peace’.

( http://www.mayorsforpeace.org/english/membercity/map.html )

Today the participants were impressed by Hiroshima's devotion for world peace and Mr. Akiba's strong leadership. Before closing the visit, the participant from Honduras made a thank you speech on behalf of the group.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1022.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:14 AM | Comments (0)

November 28, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Workshop : Peer counseling

October 19, 2007 :
Workshop : Peer counseling

Peer counseling was developed in the independent living movement in the U.S. in the 1970s.

More than 20 years has passed since it was first introduced to Japan. A hundred or more peer counseling courses are organized annually at 121 independent living centers nationwide in Japan.

Ms. Masae Kashiwagi, one of the planning committee members organized a workshop on peer counseling with support of Ms. Makiko Horiuchi who is also a planning committee member.
During today's peer counseling session only persons with disabilities were allowed to attend the workshop.
The following is the program.

After the session all participants could feel very relax and happy. They all understood they are not alone.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1019.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:52 PM | Comments (0)

November 27, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Visit and lecture at Kodaira Genkimura

October 12, 2007 :
Visit and lecture at Kodaira Genkimura

Ten participants visited Genkimura (‘Genki’ means vigor and ‘mura’ means village) to learn about the current situation of persons with mental (psychiatric) disabilities in Japan. The following schedule was planned through discussion. among members of Club House Habataki, users of Community Living Support Center ‘Asayake’ and Mr. Hiroshi Ueno, course leader of this training program.

In some coutries mental disabilities are not clearly defined and classified as intellectual disabilities. And besides that, persons with mental disabilities are believed that they cannot work properly. However they can be employed and work efficiently when appropriate vocational environment is arranged.

The participants explained the situation of persons with mental disabilities in each country and actively exchanged their opinions with the Habataki members and the Asayake users. It was a long day, but meaningful and precious time for all.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1012.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:41 AM | Comments (0)

November 22, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Lecture on the Role of Independent Living Center in the Community

October 18, 2007 PM:
Lecture on the Role of Independent Living Center in the Community
by Mr. Teruhisa YOKOYAMA,
Chairperson of the Board, Center for Independent Living ‘HANDS-Setagaya’

In the afternoon, the participant could meet another leading figure in disability movement in Japan, Mr. Akihisa Yokoyama. Mr. Yokoyama’s activities are community based and his lecture based on his actual experience conveyed strong and powerful messages. The participants could learn about building a relationship with peers, independent living in a community and the importance of personal assistants etc. Mr. Yokoyama brought his wife with him and some participants asked for his advice on marriage of persons with disabilities.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l101802.html

Posted by jicafriends at 06:31 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Lecture on Philosophy of Independent Living Movement and Independent Living Center

October 18, 2007 AM:
Lecture on Philosophy of Independent Living Movement and Independent Living Center
by Mr. Shoji NAKANISHI,
Chairperson, Human Care Association

Many of the readers may already know of Mr. Shoji Nakanishi, who has been taking an active role in disability movement not only in Japan but also in Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Nakanishi talked about the history of disability movement and his involvement, and why and how he established the first independent living center in Japan etc.

After Mr. Nakanishi's lecture, two staff of Human Care Association explained about the services provided for persons with visual impairment and persons with hearing impairment. Those two staff themselves have hearing impairment and visual impairment respectively and the participants were amazed to see how they communicate each other and work with each other while supporting mutually.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l101801.html

Posted by jicafriends at 06:28 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : How to Write Action Plan Ⅰ

November 2, 2007 :
Workshop : How to Write Action Plan Ⅰ

Today was the first day of three days session, This session aims to learn how to write action plan. At the end of the training in Japan, all the participants are required to write and submit action plan which explains what they have learned from this training and also what they are planning to do upon their return to home country.
The participants were expected to gain concrete ideas of how to write each section of action plan.

Ms. Rossitto explained about each section in depth with specific examples which helped them to understand more easily and more clearly. The participants already had ideas for the topic of their action plan and during the lecture, the participants worked out on writing their plans. They also worked in pairs to exchange their ideas and opinions actively.

The participants will put great effort to prepare the first draft by next session, and then final versions will be presented on the last week of this course.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1102.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:03 PM | Comments (7)

TRAINING REPORT : Current Situation of Persons with Hearing Impairment in Japan

October 11, 2007 :
Current Situation of Persons with Hearing Impairment in Japan

AM : Visit to WORLD PIONEER Co., Ltd

In the morning the participants visited WORLD PIONEER Co., Ltd. As its name shows, it is a pioneering company in employment of persons with hearing impairment and also in development of unique products for persons with hearing impairment.

PM : Lecture on Deaf Studies Now: Social Model beyond Medical Model
by Mr. Yutaka OSUGI,
Associate Professor of Tsukuba University of Technology

In the afternoon the participants returned to JICA Tokyo. Mr. Osugi, the afternoon's lecturer himself has a hearing impairment. In prior to the current position as an associate professor of Tsukuba University of Technology, Mr. Osugi had worked in a Japanese Federation of the Deaf for 6 years including as a Secretary General. During the lecture Mr. Osugi frequently asked the participants to share the situation in their countries.

From his comprehensive lecture, the participants could understnad various topics such as medical model and social model, information access and communication access etc.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1011.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:01 PM | Comments (0)

November 16, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Individual Training

October 30 - November 1, 2007 :
Individual Training

Three days individual training was programmed according to each participant's profession and fields of interest. It aims to widen and deepen the specific knowledge and skills which help them to write their Action Plans. The following table shows the schedule and the purpose of each program.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1030.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:16 AM | Comments (0)

November 15, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Leadership Skills

October 16 - 17, 2007 :
Leadership Skills

by Mr. Yoshinori Ikezumi,
Regional Coordinator of International People's Health Council South East / Pacific and North East Asia

The participants had the second two days' session on Leadership Skills facilitated by Mr. Ikezumi. The theme of the last session was ‘self-development’ and this time it was ‘teamwork / network building’.

Participants from Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Honduras shared their experience. They presented how they approached to their community, how they organize the people with disabilities, how they network with other organizations, what kind of roles they take etc.

From their experiences the participants could draw many important characteristics of effective leaders.

Mr. Ikezumi's four days session was very insightful. The participants had an opportunity to reflect on themselves. They learned about leadership from Mr. Ikezumi's way of being and acting and also from each other.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1016.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:05 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Visit: ‘Skip’ Setagaya Ward Employment Support Center for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

October 10, 2007 :
Visit: ‘Skip’ Setagaya Ward Employment Support Center for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

Morning : Outline of Skip
by Mr. Hikosaburo Kamidaki, Deputy Director
Afternoon: Opinion Exchange with three members of Skip
Lecture: “Current Situation of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in Japan”
By Ms Chihiro Kawamura, Prof. of Seiryo Univ.

Ten participants visited Skip to learn about employment support for persons with intellectual disabilities.
In the morning Mr. Hidenobu Miyatake, Director of Skip, gave a few words to the participants and then Mr. Kamidaki, Deputy Director, explained them about the outline of the Employment Support Center “Skip.”

Skip kindly arranged special lunch menu for the participants. They enjoyed seafood spaghetti, salad, soup and apple juice, however the participant from Yemen could not eat because he was fasting.

After lunch they had a wrap-up session at a patio. Mr. Yemen was in charge of facilitation today. They actively discussed about the topic they'd learned yesterday.

Then they invited three users and exchanged opinion with them. In the participants' countries, persons with intellectual disabilities are not expected as a active member of the society, so all the participants were so impressed to know they could work and enjoy their lives.

Lastly Prof. Kawamura briefly explained about the current situation of persons with intellectual disabilities for participants to get a clear idea.

From the today's comprehensive program, the participants could understand that with a proper support persons with intellectual disabilities could work and become an active member of society.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1010.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:03 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : “Current Situation of Persons with Visual Impairments in Japan”

October 9, 2007 Afternoon :
Lecture
“Current Situation of Persons with Visual Impairments in Japan”

In the afternoon the participants came back to JICA Tokyo and had a lecture on “Current Situation of Persons with Visual Impairments in Japan.” Mr. Toshio Kusunoki is the Director of the Board, Nonprofit Organization, Osaka Association of Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities. He started his lecture by telling us about his personal history and then described us about four types of barriers for persons with visual impairments as follows;

1. Problems in the legal system
2. Various kinds of physical barriers
3. Information barriers
4. Mental barriers (lack of understanding by other people, psychologicalissues)

The participants understood the issues in daily living and social participation of persons with visual impairments in Japan.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l100902.html

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

TRAINING REPORT : Visit Tokyo Independent Living Support Center for the Visually Impaired

October 9, 2007 Morning :
Visit Tokyo Independent Living Support Center for the Visually Impaired

In the morning ten participants visited Tokyo Independent Living Support Center for the Visually Impaired.　Mr. Yuichi Nagaoka from guidance and training section explained us briefly about outline of the center.

This rehabilitation institution is mainly for those who acquired impairments in their sight midway in their lives. So the center provides ADL (Activities for Daily Living) skills and Braille training for reintegration to the society. The average training period is about nine months and the average age of the users is 50 years old. The participants were very much impressed to observe their service which meets the needs of each user.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l100901.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:01 PM | Comments (0)

November 08, 2007

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

Oct 15, 2007 :
Current Situation of Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Japan
by Mr. Hiroshi UENO,
Chairperson of Planning Committee

Today's topic was the employment of persons with disabilities. The lecture was given by Mr. Ueno, Chairperson of Planning Committee and it covered such topics as the difference between employment in open labor market and sheltered employment, the employment quota system, and the levy and grant system of Japan etc. Some participants commented that their counties also had the employment quota system but it was not respected and most of persons with disabilities were unemployed. Although situations are different, the employment of persons with disabilities is a common issue in many countries.
So in the afternoon, each participant shared the employment situation of persons with disabilities in their respective countries.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1015.html

Posted by jicafriends at 08:54 AM | Comments (0)

November 07, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Home Visit

Oct 13, 2007 : Home Visit

10 participants were divided into four groups and each group visited different homes of Japanese people with disabilities this afternoon.

It was a great opportunity to get to know Japanese people with disabilities more personally and see how they live at home. The participants were warmly welcomed and they spent a meaningful time by conversing and exchanging opinions with their host families. They could also see various of ideas and devices applied in their house to make their living more comfortable.

We thank to the four host families for their hospitality !

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1013.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:23 PM | Comments (0)

October 22, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Presentation of Personal History

Oct 6, 2007 : Presentation of Personal History

Today 10 participants presented their personal history to share their experiences among the participants and the Japanese relevant personnel.

The briefing room was full of audience. Five planning committee members were present to raise questions and give comments. Also six trainees of Duskin Leadership Training joined to this program. As two of them were persons with hearing impairments, two sign language interpreters came to secure information access for everyone. Duskin trainees also contributed to the session by raising many questions.

All presentations were different from one another e.g. using power point, showing video clips, playing background music etc., but they were all informative. Through sharing information and experiences, we could get to know more about each other and lay foundation for further mutual understanding.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1006.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:20 PM | Comments (0)

October 16, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Transportation Accessibility in Japan

Oct 5, 2007 : Transportation Accessibility in Japan

by Mr. Yoshiaki IMAFUKU,
Transportation Affairs Officer, DPI-Japan

AM : Accessibility Check in Tokyo Metropolitan City

The participants were blessed with a sunny autumn day. It was the best climate for exploring Tokyo Metropolitan City while checking its transportation accessibility. 10 participants were divided into three groups and each group took a different route.

Group 1 : Paricipants from Chile, Honduras and Zimbabwe.

Check points :
1. A part of platform raised to clear the level difference, and
2. Platform gate

Group 2 : Participants from Costa Rica, Kyrgyz and Laos.

Check points :
1. Multi-function toilet for all users by the Universal Design,
2. Non-step streetcar, and
3. An elevator that has an exit in the right-angle direction from an entrance door

Group 3 : Participants from Cameroon, Nepal, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

Check points :
1. Platform gate and
2. Non-step bus

PM : Lecture on Current Situation and Challenges of Transportation Accessibility in Japan as of 2007

Mr. Imafuku has many years of experience of fighting for transportation accessibility in Japan. Using the photos we took during the accessibility check in the morning, Mr. Imafuku explained about the current situation and challenges of transportation accessibility in Japan. One of the messages Mr. Imafuku conveyed was that the most important thing is not just to have such devices as ramps or gates. What is more important is the people such as train staff who bring these devices.

Before closing today's session, the course participants shared the condition of transportation accessibility in each country.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1005.html

Posted by jicafriends at 05:24 PM | Comments (0)

October 14, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Visit to Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Center for the Disabled

Oct 7, 2007:
Visit to Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Center for the Disabled
(unofficial visit)

One week has passed since the training program started on Monday Oct. 1.

Although today's visit was unofficial and not obligatory, all participants decided to visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Center for the Disabled. Mr. Ueno, chairperson of Planning Committee and his friend Mr. Kanoya accompanied them all day.

As it was Saturday, the center was full of people and there was a lively atmosphere. All participants made their own user's card and with this card they can come back to use this center at anytime for free of charge. The participants observed the center's facilities and then tried some exercising equipments and played table tennis etc.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1007.html

Posted by jicafriends at 06:53 PM | Comments (1)

TRAINING REPORT : Leadership Skills

Oct 3 & 4, 2007 : Leadership Skills (Theme: Self-development)

by Mr. Yoshinori Ikezumi,
Regional Coordinator of International People's Health Council South East / Pacific and North East Asia

Mr. Ikezumi has a lot of experience as an NGO worker in many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. On Wednesday and Thursday, the participants had a stimulating session on leadership skills with him. The theme of the two days session was 'self-development'. A participatory approach is used in his workshop and everyone in the room without exception is encouraged to participate and contribute to the process of learning. We would like to leave the details of workshop contents secrete for future participants to discover.

We have four days with Mr. Ikezumi during this training course and the next session is on Oct. 16 and 17 with a theme 'teamwork/network building and organizational building'.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1003.html

Posted by jicafriends at 06:49 PM | Comments (0)

October 10, 2007

TARINING REPORT : My Daily Life

Oct 2, 2007 : My Daily Life

What is the daily life of persons with disabilities in Japan like?

The first lecture of this training course was two case studies of daily life of persons with disabilities in Japan. Ms. Horiuchi, committee member, and Ms. Sadaie, Jica officer, explained about their everyday life using video clips which filmed their daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, traveling, shopping etc. The participants could learn what kind of services are provided for persons with disabilities in Japan and how they live independently.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1002.html

Posted by jicafriends at 05:43 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Opening Ceremony and Program Orientation

Oct 1, 2007 : Opening Ceremony and Program Orientation

The Opening Ceremony was held at JICA Tokyo today to celebrate the start of the training course in Leadership Development of Persons with Disabilities.
This year, we welcomed 10 participants from 10 different countries:
Cameroon, Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Nepal, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

It was followed by the program orientation by Mr. Ueno, a chairperson of Planning Committee. Each participant introduced him/herself and expressed his/her anticipation for this training course.

Before closing today’s session, JICA demonstrated some assistive devices available at JICA Tokyo where the participants are staying.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1001.html

Posted by jicafriends at 05:28 PM | Comments (0)

October 04, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Orientation and mobility training for participants with visual impairments

Sep 24, 2007 : Orientation and mobility training for participants with visual impairments

A participant from Honduras arrived first at JICA Tokyo on September 23,
2007 and Indonesian participant arrived next day for the orientation and mobility training inside JICA Tokyo. With intention to attend general orientation and briefing organized by JICA and JICE together with other participants, they arrived earlier.

Mr. Yuichi Nagaoka, manager of guidance and training section at Tokyo Independent Living Support Center for the Visually Impaired was in charge of orientation and mobility training for them. And now they could walk around JICA Tokyo freely.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l0924.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:25 PM | Comments (0)

August 07, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Reflection Session

June 22, 2007:
Reflection Session

Ten participants discussed on "How to promote employment of persons with disabilities in their home countries" and submitted the following report.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Creation of PWDs
JICA Tokyo, 15 May - 30 June 2007

Report of the Reflection Session

We started our session by talking about how to promote employment for PWDs in our countries. In this regard all of us felt that to start with it is very important to collect and maintain data on PWDs in our respective countries. So we all felt that it is important to collect information on the types of disability and socio-economic status of PWDs. There were differences of opinion on how to go bout collecting data - start big or start small. All of us recognized the difficulties in collecting good quality data and the cost involved in this. Since our discussion was just focusing on this issue for a long period we were lead to go on to discuss how we can promote employment of PWDs in our countries using the knowledge from this training.

It was highlighted that in Sri Lanka there are no big companies or open labour market as in Japan. So based on the knowledge we received it is possible to create networks with small companies to promote employment of PWDs. And it was also highlighted that self employment can be promoted among the PWDs by providing vocational training for them. It was also noted that Japan Sun Industries (JSI) was initially started as a small workshop.

One participant stressed the importance of collecting data of employers as well to see if they are willing to take PWDs as employees. And if so PWDs can be trained to match with the type of employment offered at those companies. The participant also noted the difficulty with promoting employment for people with intellectual disabilities rather than PWDs with physical disabilities. So it would be better to start off with we should be thinking about promoting employment of PWDs with physical disabilities.

The participant from Sri Lanka shared information on how they conducted a very successful job matching fair by inviting PWDs who have completed vocational training at the Department of Social Services and employers. During this fair employers came with information on their vacancies and interviewed PWDs and selected PWDs for their jobs. Out of the 87 PWDs who attended this fair 56 were employed. And it was interesting to learn that employers requested for such a fair but unfortunately the Department of Social Services did not have information of PWDs trained (or maybe did not have trained PWDs). Most of the participants liked this idea.

A participant noted that if all of us are from the government side it would have been easy to take measures to promote employment of PWDs. But another participant noted that even NGOs can advocate and pressure governments to take such measures.

One participant also noted that because employers and the general public do not understand the abilities of PWDs as employees that it would be very useful to provide such information using flyers and the media etc.

It was also noted that most of us had the understanding that PWDs with intellectual disability cannot be employed. However after the training we all believe in the employability of PWDs with intellectual disabilities.

One participant also highlighted that many NGOs conduct training for lots of PWDs but they forget about the ex-trainees when they complete the courses. For these ex-trainees it is important to have support services like job coaches/trial employment opportunities for them to be successfully employed after the trainings.

Some participants noted that some of the NGOs in their countries have good data collection on PWDs and employers by a voluntary registration process.

We were also told that some prominent universities like University of Tokyo is hiring PWDs with intellectually disabilities for cleaning.

One participant highlighted the importance of using PWD role models in educating the public on promotion of employment for PWDs. Some noted that it is hard to advocate when you do not have role models.

The importance of all of us communicating/networking after we go back on the developments in our countries and helping each other to effectively promote employment of PWDs was also noted.

As the situation of each of our countries is different self advocacy is a very important and a useful method in promoting employment of PWDs.

All of us found that this training course to be extremely useful and some of it very applicable to our own countries. And this experience has opened our eyes to the possibilities available for us to work in our countries to promote the rights of PWDs.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v062202.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)

July 15, 2007

TRAINING REPORT: Local Visit (Day 3)

June 6, 2007:
"Local Visit (Day 3)"

Lecture Material:
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/pdf/v2007lecture060601.pdf
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/pdf/v2007lecture060602.pdf

Today's first visit was Oita Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities. The center offers a series of support from consultation on employment to follow-up after being employed in close linkage with the public employment security office and various organizations in the fields of welfare, medicine and education to persons with disabilities and their employers.

JICA participants had already visited Chiba Vocational Center with Mr. Nonaka on May 24. The participants were surprised to observe the quality of services provided in Oita was just as the same as and as good as in Chiba.

In the afternoon they visited "Oita Plaza", Employment and Living Support Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Participants were very impressed to see ten national flags on the wall.

Oita Plaza provides not only information related to employment for persons with disabilities but also place to work at its attached workshop.

Participants were divided into three groups and exchanged the opinions with users of the workshop.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0606.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:23 AM | Comments (0)

July 13, 2007

TRAINING REPORT: Visit to Workshop and Home of Persons with Disabilities in Atsugi City

May 28, 2007:
Visit to Workshop and Home of Persons with Disabilities in Atsugi City

Ten participants visited the community of Atsugi city in Kanagawa Pref.
Prof. Ogawa, one of our planning committee members organized today's program.

In the morning, JICA participants called on a person with cervical injury.
She lives on the first floor of the public housing and her house is remodeled to meet her needs to live independently. She uses personal assistant services everyday so that she does not have to depend on her family all the time. In most of the participants' countries, family members are the care givers and it becomes a big burden to them. Before the JICA participants left her house, she explained them how many times she had to visit City Hall to convince government officers to provide her present services.

The participants had lunch at "Donguri (Acorn)", a coffee shop in Atsugi City Hall, where many persons with intellectual disabilities are working.
After lunch they had a wrap-up session there. Today's facilitator was the participant from Cambodia.

They had an opportunity to visit Consultation Room which was located in the same building. It was divided into three sections for physical, intellectual and mental disability each. Counselors for each type of disabilities are stationed there and citizens with disabilities living in Atsugi city can visit and get information related to welfare services for free.

In the afternoon, the participants visited a home of a couple with disabilities. They built their dream house in Atsugi city. They remodeled their house to meet their needs and use many different types of assistive devices and equipments. They also use personal assistant services for bathing. A participant form Indonesia tried the lift and was transferred from the bed to the bathroom. It is not easy for the couple to pay back their debts, however they decided to leave the institution and live independently in the community.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0528.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:43 PM | Comments (0)

July 10, 2007

TRAINING REPORT: Closing Ceremony and Farewell party

June 29, 2007:
Closing Ceremony and Farewell party
Training Report - Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2007

Mr. Fuminari HASHIMOTO, Team Director of Human Development Team JICA gave the closing speech. Then the congratulatory speech was given by Mr. Shuzo KATAISHI, executive director of JSRPD to the ten course participants.

Today is not the end! Although the training in Japan was concluded, this is a new starting point for the participants. Now they go back to their countries with new knowledge and experiences to share with their people. The participants are required to report the progress of their action plan after six months of their return and today Ms. Sadaie, JICA program officer, showed a certificate which the participants will receive upon the submission of their progress report.

The participant from Kazakhstan, on behalf of the ten participants, made a speech and expressed their gratitude for the golden opportunity to take training in Japan. She told us that this speech was made by all the course participants through a group discussion.

Speech by the Kazakhstan participant

Farewell party：

The encounter of friends and people with the same aspiration is precious.

So let's keep in touch with each other and work towards the same overarching goal to promote the employment of persons with disabilities in each country. This is not a farewell, but we look forward to seeing each other again!

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v062901.html

Posted by jicafriends at 09:45 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT: "One Village, One Product" Movement

June 7, 2007:
"One Village, One Product" Movement
Training Report - Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2007

"One Village, One Product (OVOP)" Movement is not directly related to persons with disabilities.
However the concept of this movement can be used for income generating projects which many former participants have set up for their action plans.

Ten participants visited Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Committee to have lecture on this movement. Secretary General of the committee explained about the activities of OVOP as well as its concept.

Dr. Morihiko HITAMATSU, former governor of Oita prefecture is the one who advocated the "One Village, One Product" Movement, aimed to create a hometown in which citizens can be very proud of.

The movement's aim is not simply to make souvenirs for tourists. It aims to create local specialty products which can pass muster not only in the Tokyo market but also in the international market. In other words, the goal of the "One Village, One Product" Movement is to create and market local products that can gain a global reputation.

http://nettv.gov-online.go.jp/prg/prg1147.html

Then the Secretary General took us to Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) for lunch.
It is located on the hill and you can enjoy the panoramic view of Beppu City. APU is also a part of the project for OVOP movement. , on the APU's multicultural campus, approximately 2,300 international students from 78 countries and regions from all over the world are currently studying together with around 3,000 Japanese students. President of the university, who is from Sri Lanka joined their lunch. The food menus there were full of variety and some participants who have restriction on foods were so happy to have their own foods. After lunch they had a chance to receive a lecture on the university from Vice President.

URL: http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/index.php?sel_lang=english

As the last program of the day, the Secretary General took us to the Bamboo Craft Center and showed us the first quality bamboo crafts, which is one of products of OVOP movement.

Ten participants were amazed to see the high quality bamboo crafts there and all of them could understand the real meaning of high quality.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0607.html

Posted by jicafriends at 09:40 PM | Comments (1)

July 09, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Presentation of Action Plan

June 27, 2007:
Presentation of Action Plan
Training Report - Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2007

Ten course participants presented their Action Plan at JICA Tokyo today. They described knowledge and experiences acquired in Japan and what they are planning to do in order to promote employment of persons with disabilities after returning to their countries.

30 minutes presentation (5 min preparation / 15 min presentation / 10 min Q&A)

1. Participant from Sri Lanka
Title: Income Generation Program – for people who have spinal cord injuries
Summary:
The number of people with spinal cord injuries in Sri Lanka is increasing due to road and worksite accidents, accidents related to Toddy and Palmyra honey making, drinking related problems, and lack of first aid knowledge. Digana Rehabilitation Hospital provides medical rehabilitation, physiotherapy, counseling/relaxation, and entertainment to people in Kandy area. However after medical treatment the patients are sent back to home. This project “Income Generation Program” aims at economic independence of persons with spinal cord injury and their family. The project targets 12 persons with spinal cord injury of 18 years of age and above who finished the treatment at the hospital and it consists of three programs; social rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation, and job placement.

2. Participant from Philippines
Title: Garment Sheltered Workshop
Summary:
Setting up a sheltered workshop in garments production has been considered as an important innovation in Area I Vocational Rehabilitation Center located in Dagupan City. "Garment Sheltered Workshop" will be open for persons with physical disabilities, especially those who finished one year vocational training course in dressmaking and tailoring. This will provide the opportunities to enhance their vocational skills while at the same time earning an income. This project will also be their first step towards employment in a competitive open labor market which is necessary for their economic independence and also socially satisfying life.

3. Participant from Indonesia
Title: Work Together
Summary:
National Vocational Rehabilitation Center (NVRC) Cibinong Bogor provides vocational rehabilitation services to persons with physical disabilities, however, after the training persons with disabilities have limited job opportunities. Job Coach is an effective system to promote employment of persons with disabilities in open labor market but it is a new concept to the Indonesian society. This project "Work Together" plans a seminar to disseminate information on Job Coach so that job coaching system is to be established in local vocational centers, companies are to accept job coach, and as a result more persons with disabilities to get employed. The project starts in February 2008 and the seminar is to be held in May and June 2008.

4. Participant from Laos
Title: Job Promotion Center - for persons with physical disabilities
Summary:
Laos has no specific law or policies for persons with disabilities and the environment is not barrier free. After graduating from school or vocational training, persons with disabilities are unemployed, therefore feeling lonely and hopeless for independent life. This project "Job Promotion Center" explore potential workplaces and promote job placement of persons with disabilities at age of 18 to 40 in Capital City of Vientiane. The project consists of three phases, starting from August 2007. It aims to explore 50 workplaces and place 40 persons with disabilities in jobs within 18 months.

5. Participant from Nepal
Title: Challenger
Summary:
In Nepal, women faces triple discrimination for being women, for poverty and for disabilities, and therefore even educated and qualified women with disabilities are unemployed. This one year project "Challenger" aims at job placement of women with disabilities by providing the training in computer secretariat course to five women with disabilities and find at least two jobs.

6. Participant from Bhutan
Title: Weaving for All
Summary:
In Bhutan, the traditional weaving is disappearing nowadays due to the country's modernization. Persons with disabilities have not been given the opportunity to weave due to the lack of institutes and trainers. This project “Weaving for All” provides one year training in traditional Bhutanese weaving in Thimphu City. It targets 8 persons with physical disabilities from rural areas, aiming for them to get employed and be self-reliant. The project is expected to start in December 2007.

7. Participant from Pakistan
Title: Care & Hope
Summary:
Government institutions for intellectual disability are not existent in Gujrat City and people with intellectual disabilities stay in their homes and not exploit their potentials. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of the Disable Persons (VREDP) established one school last year with the help of an NGO but only daily living skills are being taught in this school. This 12 months project "Care & Hope" plans to provide vocational training based at this school to 2 to 5 people with intellectual disabilities in Gujrat City, aims that they get employment opportunities and live an independent and meaningful life.

8. Participant from Maldives
Title: Hope： A project for providing vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities in home for people with special needs, K. Guraidhoo, Maldives
Summary:
In the Maldives, no mechanism to provide vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities exists. Due to the stigma and the attitudinal barriers in the society, most of persons with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities are confined to their homes. Employment of persons with intellectual disabilities is unheard. Persons with psychiatric disabilities are not so difficult to get employment but continuity is a problem. This three year project "Hope" aims to reintegrate people with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities in Home for People with Special Needs (HPSN) into the society through vocational rehabilitation.

9. Participant from Cambodia
Title: Smile Handicrafts：To provide handicraft skill training and continue employment for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities
Summary:
Watthan Artisans - Cambodia run by persons with disabilities have already started handcraft training and production. With this two years project "Smile Handicrafts", the target of skill training will be expanded to persons with physical and intellectual disabilities of 18 years of age and above from rural areas. It also aims to achieve a sustainable income generation and capacity building of people with disabilities, ensuring the continuity of training programs and employment.

10. Participant from Kazakhstan
Title: Bridge： From low incomes towards high-quality life for woman with disability
Summary:
The rapidly growing economy of Kazakhstan demands computer related services. Many women with disabilities have basic computer skills but not in advanced programs and many of them wish to start their own enterprises but do not have know-how. This project plans to organize 3 trainings in computer programs and 3 in business management within a year for 24 women with disabilities, to establish a workshop on web design and computer accounting program and provide 10 trained women with disabilities with high-quality jobs, and to support other 14 trained women with disabilities in self-employment and employment in open labor market. Thus a bridge will be built between women with disabilities and their potential employers or self-employment.

Mr. Maruyama, Mr. Nonaka and Mr. Ogawa, three Planning Committee members were present. Ms. Sadaie, Mr. Saito and Mr. Toya were present from JICA, and Ms. Kosugi and Mr. Shimizu from JICE. Ms. Kato from AAR Japan, Mr. Agus Diono, former participant in Leadership Development Course from Indonesia, Ms. Ueno and Ms. Nomura from JSRPD participated and gave a lot of valuable comments.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0627.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:25 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : JICA-net Conference

June 22, 2007:
JICA-net Conference

There are many former JICA participants working actively in their own countries. Why not learn from them? JICA-net is a satellite and makes it possible. The participants can learn how former participants have applied what they learned in Japan to their work after returning to their home countries.

It was the first time to use JICA net in this course and this year we connected with two former participants in Malaysia, Ms. Cecilia Singoon (participant of the year 2005) and Ms. Yeo Swee Lan (participant of the year 2006). Both former participants work for the employment promotion of persons with intellectual disabilities in Malaysia.

Ms. Cecilia Singoon works in Seri Mengasih Center in Sabah and she started a new prevocational program applying the vocational assessment and transitional program learned in Japan.

Presentation Material (PDF file)

Ms. Yeo Swee Lan is a coordinator of United Voice. United Voice promotes self-advocacy of people with intellectual disabilities and being able to speak up for themselves is an important factor for employment issues. For many participants, it was first time to hear about Self-advocacy.

Presentation Material (PDF file) [01 , 02 , 03 , 04 , 05 ]

The participants raised many questions; "How to convince your superiors?" "What was the biggest difficulty when they try to implement their action plan?" "How is the society's attitude towards persons with intellectual disabilities in Malaysia?" etc. During the session, each participant also shared the employment situation of persons with intellectual disabilities in their own countries and Ms. Cecilia and Ms. Swee Lan gave comments.

The participants were encouraged by getting to know the former participants' activities. Before closing, the participant from Pakistan made a brief speech on behalf of ten participants. Thank you

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0622.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:26 AM | Comments (0)

July 06, 2007

Thank you speech for Vocational Rehab. Course 2007

On the occasion of closing ceremony the participant from Kazakhstan made the following "Thank you speech" on be half of ten participants.

On behalf of the group I would like to thank you JICA and the government of Japan for providing us this wonderful opportunity. And I would also like to note that this wouldn’t have been possible without the contribution of the Japanese people. It is through their valuable contribution we get to dream and work to realize these dreams for PWDs in our countries.

So thank you once again JICA. For we have learned many things about your society, culture, the services and provision for PWDs and the PWDs contributions, the life of PWDs. We must also tell you that this experience has broadened our vision and shown us the realms of possibilities that are available for the PWDs in our respective countries.

And so we would like to assure you that the knowledge we gained from this training will be shared many times over and over again and that the experience we had would be cherished for the rest of our lives.

This training wouldn’t have been real without the dedication and assistance of all the people who worked in front and behind the scenes to organize this training to go flawlessly. So thank you JSRPD. Thank you JICE. Thank you JICA Tokyo International.

We would also like to give a special thanks to the Committee members, Sadie-San, Keiko-San, Baba-San, Kosugi-San, Yuki-San, Kumai-San for creating a very special and friendly environment for us to get the best out of this course. Your time and effort is much appreciated.

Lastly I would like to thank you all the participants for giving your valuable contribution to this course. Each of your uniqueness and originality made this training so much more interesting and memorable. I learned much from each of you. Please keep in communication and live up to your dreams. Make each of your plans real for the PWDs in your countries. And please never give up.

With this I conclude.

Thank you

29 June 2007

Posted by jicafriends at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)

July 03, 2007

TRAINING REPORT: Action Plan Ⅲ

June 25, 2007:
Action Plan Ⅲ
by Ms. Sarajean Rossitto

Today was the last session with Ms. Rossitto. All participants were given an opportunity to make a trial presentation of their action plan in front of other course participants. They could all finish their presentation within the given time of 15 minutes and the contents were also good. Using a check sheet, the rest of participants check if all necessary topics are covered in the presentation and gave feedbacks on good points and things to be improved.

In the afternoon, the participants had time to work on their Action Plan paper and on presentation material.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0625.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)

July 02, 2007

TRAINING REPORT: Action Plan Ⅱ

June 21, 2007:
Action Plan Ⅱ
by Ms. Sarajean Rossitto

Today was the second session with Ms. Rossitto. All participants had worked very hard and prepared the first draft of their action plan. The participants studied how to structure their presentation and how to write presentation outline. The participants started writing their presentation outline based on their drafts. Ms. Rossitto demonstrated a good example of a very bad presentation and the participants learned the key factors to make an effective presentation.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0621.html

Posted by jicafriends at 05:46 PM | Comments (1)

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)

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

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 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)

May 29, 2007

TRAINING REPORT - Lecture on Global Movement on Disability and Japanese Disability Policy

May 21, 2007 PM: Lecture on Global Movement on Disability and Japanese Disability Policy
by Mr. Ichiro MARUYAMA

The first lecture was on Global Movement on Disability and Japanese Disability Policy by Mr. Maruyama, Planning Committee Member and Course Leader.
Lecture Material: http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/material/lecture/0521/index.html

Before the lecture starts, the participants visited the Shinjuku Ward Welfare Center for Persons with Disabilities adjoining to Toyama Sunrise and observed some activities carried out in this center for persons with disabilities.

In the beginning of the lecture, each participant wrote down on a white board how they say "persons with disabilities" in their local language.
Then they explained what it literally means.

Participant from Philippines writing on the white board how they call persons with disabilities in their language Participant from Kazakhstan on an electric wheelchair next to Mr. Maruyama explaining how they say persons with disabilities in their language a picture of white board with different expressions of persons with disabilities in each language

Mr. Maruyama explained the global movement on disability since the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons in 1975 till the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which was adopted in December 2006.

Before the end of the lecture, two videos were shown: "Emerging" by Canadian Rehabilitation Association and "Rehabilitation in Japan" by JSRPD. These contains a lot of animation and pictures and so they were easy to understand as well as very impressive.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0521pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 07:11 PM | Comments (0)

May 28, 2007

TRAINING REPORT - Program Orientation

May 21, 2006 AM: Program Orientation

Today is first day of the training program.

The program orientation took place to give general information on this training course priory to the first lecture in this afternoon.

Mr. Shuzo KATAISHI, Secretary General of Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD) welcomed the course participants and gave a brief explanation of JSRPD.

10 course participants from Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lanka introduced themselves and stated what they expected from this course. They are eager to gain a lot of knowledge and experiences from Japan and also from other participants.

Mr. Masaya ASAHI, Planning Committee member explained the flow of the training program by using a power point. Mr. Asahi sometimes asked questions to the participants and the program orientation was carried on in a relaxed mood.

This program orientation was held in Toyama Sunrise, a historical place where the rehabilitation first started in Japan, and it is also the first barrier-free accommodation in Japan.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0521am.html

Posted by jicafriends at 09:55 PM | Comments (0)

May 18, 2007

Welcome to Japan!-Training Report for Vocational Rehab. Course

May 15, 2007: Arrival to Japan

All the participants for the JICA group training in 'Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment Promotion of Persons with Disabilities'
arrived to JICA Tokyo. They are from 10 different Asian countries:
Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,
Philippines, Kazakhstan, and Nepal. These 10 participants will work
together for the next 6 weeks and their everyday training will be reported
here.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2007/training/v0515.html

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

December 25, 2006

TRAINING REPORT : November 17, 2006 : Farewell Party and Handover of Wheelchairs

November 17, 2006
Farewell Party and Handover of Wheelchairs

The closing ceremony was followed by a farewell party. Teachers from Yamano College of Aesthetic, Mr. Yoshihiko NONAKA from JEED, staff of Saito-kobo, and many other people who were involved in the training came to see off the participants.

During the party, a ceremony was held to hand over six wheelchairs to the participants. Friendly Life Community had kindly collected used wheelchairs and students of Kanagawa Institute of Technology repaired and conditioned them. Mr. Shotaro YAMAGUCHI from Friendly Life Community came to hand over the wheelchairs today.

In many developing countries, majority of people cannot afford a wheelchair and they are forced to stay in a house, being deprived of the freedom of mobility. The participants will bring back a wheelchair not for their own use but for other people in need of wheelchair. These wheelchairs given today will go over the oceans and will change the life of persons with disabilities in other country.

Thank you very much to Friendly Life Community, Kanagawa Institute of Technology and all the donors of these six wheelchairs. To express their gratitude, the participants gave them handmade cards with their photos and with their thank-you messages.

Thanks to all the people involved in the program, we could finish the training course. Seven participants, we wish you good luck !

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader111703.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:34 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : November 17, 2006 : Closing Ceremony

November 17, 2006
Closing Ceremony

Congratulations! Eight weeks training in Japan has completed.

Closing ceremony took place this afternoon in JICA Tokyo. Mr. Yukio ISHIDA, Deputy Director General of JICA Tokyo, JICA, gave closing words. Mr. Shuzo KATAISHI made a speech and congratulated the participants for completion of the training in Japan.

Although the training phase in Japan is over, the participants are expected to carry out their action plans after returning to their home countries. They are requested to submit the final report within six months and inform the progress of the plan to JICA. The participants will receive a certificate upon submission of the progress report. The certificate was shown to them during the closing ceremony.

On behalf of the group, the participant from Colombia expressed his gratitude for the training in Japan and his aspiration for the future.

Speech by the Colombian participant

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader111701.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:32 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : November 15, 2006 : Action Plan Presentation

November 15, 2006
Action Plan Presentation

Today seven participants presented their Action Plan at JICA Tokyo, and described knowledge acquired in Japan and what they plan to do as a leader of persons with disabilities after returning home. Each participant made a 40 minutes presentation (5 min preparation / 20 min presentation / 15 min question and answer).

Please click the title to read the full text of Action Plan.

1. Participant from Vanuatu

Title :
A Care Help for PWDs – Skill Development for Unemployed Women with Physical and Blind Disabilities

Summary :
Persons with disabilities have different abilities but in Vanuatu the society perceives PWDs as useless and powerless beings. Most of women with disabilities are unemployed and therefore live dependently on their families, helping out in domestic chore. Action Plan aims to promote independent living and to increase job opportunities for women with disabilities in Vanuatu. The plan consists of 3 vocational training courses in sawing, handcrafts and massage and it is targeted for 6 unemployed women with disabilities (4 with physical disabilities and 2 with visual impairments) to become trainers. Vanuatu Society for Disabled People will implement the plan and the project span is from January to March 2007.
Useful programs and knowledge acquired in Japan :

* Individual Training: NPO Yamaboshi-Kurasawa (community based sheltered workshop for people with intellectual disabilities) and WAKI Bone Setting and Massage Clinic
* Knowledge on disabilities, leadership, management, sheltered workshops run by people with disabilities and their marketing strategies, cooperation with people without disabilities

2. Participant from Laos

Title :
Friendly Service Center for PWDs

Summary :
Due to lack of accessibility in transportation and in school buildings and facilities, many persons with disabilities in Laos are prevented from going to school and also from participating in activities in society including employment.

Targeting for persons with orthopedic disabilities of age between 16 and 28 in Vientiane, Action Plan promotes education of persons with disabilities by offering transportation service to and from school provided by volunteers of university students. It also plans to teach marketable handcrafts so that persons with orthopedic disabilities can have a job in a community and generate their income. Action Plan will be implemented in cooperation with International NGOs, Laos National University, community people, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, JICA, IT workshop in Vientiane, and National Rehabilitation Center. The duration of the plan is from December 2006 to February 2008.
Useful programs and knowledge acquired in Japan :

Management, volunteer, personal assistant, transportation accessibility for PWDs, workshop management skills, proposal writing, laws concerning PWDs, Japanese culture, home visit, history of atomic bomb at Hiroshima

3. Participant from Costa Rica

Title :
Personal Assistant System: A Clue to be Independent

Summary :
In Costa Rica, majority of PWDs live dependently. Being independent means doing everything by him/herself without any help. Action Plan is to promote independent living of PWDs by introducing the idea of personal assistance (PA). The target population are persons with orthopedic disabilities of age between 20 and 40 who live in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. PR of PA and IL concept will be carried out through mass media. A seminar will be held to demonstrate the advantage of PA. 40 PWDs are invited to the seminar and 20 volunteers for PA will then be recruited mainly from universities. This plan will be implemented by CAS (Alternative Capacities in Soridarity) from December 2006 till January 2009.
Useful programs and knowledge acquired in Japan :

* PWDs who have a PA have a better relationship with their families (Home Visit to a person with cerebral palsy),
* Independent Living of persons with severe disabilities. Marriage and women with disabilities (Individual training at ILC Bunkyo)
* The history of PA services
* PWDs in Japan had fought for PA system working as a team

4. Participant from Colombia

Title :
Wheelchair Tennis in Colombia– Sustainable Evolution – Instrument of Social and Sport Development for People with Disabilities

Summary :
Along with the 12 Years Plan of the Colombian Paralympic Committee (CPC), Action Plan has 4 goals; to realize an international wheelchair tennis tournament, to build a network consisting of 3 volunteers in each of targeted 10 cities, to improve the organization by making self-sustainable programs, and to promote business around wheelchair tennis. The program of international wheelchair tournament is from December 2006 to August 2007. It will be implemented by CPC.
Useful programs and knowledge acquired in Japan :

* Financial organization of Paralympics system and how to attract sponsors (Individual Training : Japan Sports Association for the Disable and Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Center for the Disable)
* Fundraising – How to write and present ａ project proposal (Proposal Writing by Ms. Rossitto)
* Organizing a volunteer networks (Many examples in visits and lectures. .Sharing information with participant from Belize on his individual training about volunteer network by Mr. Kasumi)
* Accessibility (Transportation Accessibility by Mr. Imafuku)
* Leadership Skills (Many lectures or visits – meeting with Japanese leaders with disabilities. JICA net conference with a former participant)
* Facilitation (Leadership Skill by Mr. Ikezumi)
* Japanese Culture (Punctuality and organization / Humbleness. / Commitment with job. / Respect and care for other's needs.)

5. Participant from China

Title :
Leadership Training and Employing for the Vision Impairment Persons of Provincial Disabled Persons’Federation in China

Summary :
In China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), employment of persons with vision and hearing impairments is lagged behind in comparison with that of persons with physical disabilities. 19 out of 32 provincial offices of CDPF have no staff with vision impairments. Action Plan is to conduct 10 days leadership training to 19 persons with vision impairments. Those who completed the course will be recommended to the provincial offices of CDPF as leaders with disabilities. The duration is from January 2007 till December 2008.
Useful programs and knowledge acquired in Japan :

Rehabilitation centers,. sheltered workshops, accessibilities, education, employment, equal and full participation in social life, laws concerning PWDs, PA system and the volunteer system

6. Participant from Sri Lanka

Title :
Lochana : An Income Generating Project for Unemployed Vision Impaired Women

Summary :
In Sri Lanka, in spite of Act 28 for the Protection of Rights of Persons with Disabilities of 1996, the employment rate stipulated in the law is not met. 95% of women with vision impairments are unemployed due to lack of educational and professional qualifications and also employers' attitudes etc. They are isolated from society, being dependent on their families. Towards the 'Society for All', Action Plan aims to promote employment of persons with vision impairments. It plans to establish a workshop where 5 unemployed women with vision impairments with low educational qualification will recycle papers, make products (boxes for wedding ceremonies and envelopes for company use) according to received orders and sell them. Sri Lanka Council for the Blind is the implementing organization. It mentions a potential cooperation with JOCV to conduct this plan. The duration is from January till December 2007.
Useful programs and knowledge acquired in Japan :

Management and roles of sheltered workshops (Azami joint workshop, Kinuta Kobo, Sukippu, and Tamashiro-no Sato)

7. Participant from Belize

Title :
More Social Integration for Children of Age between 0 and 8 with Disabilities

Summary :
NGO CARE Belize provides physiotherapy to children with disabilities of age 0 to 8 years through field workers. However the children with disabilities have almost no social interaction and no leisure time. Action Plan targets 10 children with disabilities of age 0 to 8 years in Orange Walk Town. It intends to provide the children with disabilities with opportunities to come out of their home and interact with others. The activities will be organized such as playing, singing, learning, making art works and handcrafts etc. Children will learn new skills, increase self-esteem, develop their personality, participate in society, and enjoy their childhood. To make this realize, a group of 10 volunteers will be organized by university students, junior high school students and parents who will assist the children with disabilities. This plan will be implemented under supervision of CARE Belize and Red Cross Belize. It starts December 2006 and finishes in June 2007.
Useful programs and knowledge acquired in Japan :

volunteer network by Mr. Kasumi , social interaction through art work in Social Welfare Juridical Person Personal Assistance 'Tomo', ideal leader with disabilities from the meeting with Mr. Yokoyama.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1115.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:29 PM | Comments (0)

December 18, 2006

TRAINING REPORT : October 30 - November 1, 2006 : Individual Training

Three days individual training was programmed according to each participant's profession and fields of interest. They could widen and deepen the specific knowledge and skills which help them to write their Action Plans. The following table shows the schedule and the purpose of each session.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader10301101.html

Posted by jicafriends at 07:22 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : November 16, 2006 : Introduction of Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV)

November 16, 2006
Introduction of Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV)
By Mr. Kazato Saeki, Overseas Affairs Group, Secretariat of Japan, JOCV, JICA

Mr. Saeki came to JICA Tokyo to introduce how to apply to JICA volunteers for participants' organizations.

Seven participants didn't know what JOCV means and they even didn't imagine that they can apply by themselves.

Mr. Sasaki explained details about JICA Volunteers such as types, professions, period of dispatch of volunteers and of cource application procedure by using powerpoint.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/jicainfo/volunteer/02guide/guidetojica.pdf

All participants became interested in JICA Volunteer system and some of them are thinking of applying to the volunteers upon their return.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1116.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : November 13, 2006 : Presentation skill

November 13, 2006
Presentation skill
by Mr. Hideto KAWAKITA, CEO, International Institute for Human, Organization and the Earth　(IIHOE)

Today, we had the lecture about presentation skill by Mr. Kawakita. Ms. Kawamura, committee member, was with us to observe the lecture.

He started the session by explaining his career and rich experience as a consultant for NPO management. Seven participants were amazed by the outstanding number of 600 proposals that he had read.

The participants learned that in order to win donors' understanding and trust, the applicants should;

* think about to whom they are going to make a presentation;
* avoid showing what 'they' want and pushing it, but understand what a 'donor' wants; and
* understand the values that a donor evaluates is and how they make decisions.

Participants came up with an idea of some potential donors to whom they can make presentation of their Action Plan. Then they analyzed what the most important points that each donor evaluates are, which should be kept in mind when making a presentation.

Each participant presented his/her Action Plan using a format prepared by Mr. Kawakita. He observed their presentation and gave each of them effective advices.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1113.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : November 10, 2006 PM : Lecture : UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

ovember 10, 2006 PM
Lecture : UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Lectures: Ms. Yoriko Suzuki Principal Deputy Director, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Division, Foreign Policy Bureau,
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Kim Jeong-ok, Director of Advocacy Center, DPI-Japan

There are over 600 million people with disabilities throughout the world, and many of them live in developing countries. According to the United Nations' statistics, 80% of people with disabilities live the lowest standard of living, because of discrimination in policy, environment, and the negative attitude of society or community. On the other hand, even in so-called developed countries, appropriate consideration is not made toward persons with disabilities, according to the type of disability and characteristics, as well as in all aspects of community life (i.e. acquiring of residence and various services; education; employment; use of facilities, access to structures and transportation; political participation; judicial proceedings, etc.). As a result, there are still many barriers between citizens with disabilities and those without disabilities, and discrimination remains unresolved. (Extract from Mr. Kim's lecture material)

For Above reasons seven participants should know about the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, however most of them haven't heard of it before coming to Japan.

Ms. Suzuki from Ministy of Foreign Affairs commented on the Convention from the Japanese government point of view and Mr. Kim from Japanese NGO point of view. Both of them attended the 8th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee as members of delegation of Japan, which was held in New York between 14 and 25 of August. The Convention itself will be adopted in the sixty-first session of the General Assembly.

http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/ahc8.htm

Ms. Chihiro Kawamura, committee member who also attended the 8th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee observed the session and we discussed how participants can convince their governments after ratification and how they can change the society.

(Lecture material : Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs [PDF (44KB)] , Mr. Kim Jeong-ok [PDF (104KB)]

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1110pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:06 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 28, 2006 : Unofficial Program: Getting to Know Japanese Culture

October 28, 2006
Unofficial Program: Getting to Know Japanese Culture
Supported by Yamano College of Aesthetics

On a beautiful autumn day, a cultural event volunteered by Yamano College of Aesthetics was held in the Annex Building of JICA Tokyo.

Seven participants and six Duskin Leadership trainees had an opportunity to wear traditional Japanese Kimono and enjoy tea ceremony.

Although the program was going to start at 13:00, at 10:30 fifteen staff from Yamano already arrived at JICA Tokyo and started to prepare. The room was divided into 3 spaces for different purposes i.e. tea ceremony, make-up and hair dressing, and putting on Kimono they set them up so quickly and the first floor of Annex Bldg was immediately changed into Yamano Beauty Salon.

Yamano College of Aesthetics offers three-year Biyo Fukushi (Beauty and Welfare) Course. This course prepares students for examination of both national hairstylist's license and national welfare worker's license. The aim is to train them to meet the needs of the elderly and/or the physically challenged and to help them live a happy life.

http://www.yamano.ac.jp/introduction/intro_e.html
Yamano has developed an original way of dressing people on a wheelchair in Kimono, so wheelchair users can get dressed in Kimono easily without feeling uncomfortable. Wearing beautiful Kimono cheers up people with or without disabilities. All the participants were very excited with this extraordinary experience of Kimono and Japanese tea ceremony. They fully enjoyed the day, getting know a little more about the Japanese culture.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1028.html

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

December 07, 2006

TRAINING REPORT : November 10, 2006 : Lecture : Importance of Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities By Mr. Eita Yashiro

We visited the Office Builing for Diet Members to have a lecture by Mr. Eita Yashiro, a former member of House of Representatives.

He is the first person with disability who became a National Diet member through "Send Wheelchair to the Diet" campaign in 1977. Since then National Diet Building became accessible for wheelchair users.

In 1999 he was appointed to Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.

Mr. Yashiro started his lecture with brief outline of Japan and moved to his personal history.

He forcused on how he struggled to accept himself being a person with disability.

Then he talked about how he imvolved in the disability movement in Japan and how he expanded the movement into Asia and Pacific regions. Seven participants were so empowered and at the end of the session four participants have decided to be politicians.

Before closing the session we all sang "You're my sunshine"as usual.

(Lecture material : http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/material/lecture/1110a/index.html)

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1110.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:53 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : November 8, 2006 : Local Visit (Day 4)

First program of the day was a lecture on Japan's experience of Atomic Bomb and Hiroshima's Devotion to World Peace given by Mr. Nobuyuki TESHIMA, Director of International Peace Promotion Department, Hiroshima City Office.

The participants were surprised to peaceful approach of Hiroshima Citizens despite such destruction and misery. But, as the participant from Vanuatu commented, because of their peaceful commitment to World Peace, we are in deed able to be here today at this place.

The lecture was held at International Conference Center located within the Peace Memorial Park and afterwards we walked around the park recalling the explanation we just heard now.

The walk in the fresh air made us hungry so we decided to try the most famous dish of Hiroshima, Okonomiyaki. We cooked it on the hot iron plate right in front of us. Okonomiyaki with a lot of mayonnaise and sauce on top was really tasty.

In the afternoon, we visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to learn more about the Hiroshima's experience of the atomic bomb in 1945. The last program of the day was to hear direct message from a survivor of Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Blast.

Mr. Ueno, chairperson of Planning Committee had to leave Hiroshima this evening. We went back to JICA Hiroshima and flew back to Tokyo next morning.

The local visit in Hiroshima Prefecture taught us many things and we thank to everyone we met in Hiroshima. We will never forget you.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1108.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:52 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : November 7, 2006 : Local Visit (Day 3)

Hiroshima Prefectural Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Physical Disabilities is the only facility complex in Hiroshima. The center consists of a primary and secondary school, a medical center, a rehabilitation center, a residential institution, and a sports center.

First we visited Hiroshima Prefectural Saijo Special School for Children with Disabilities. After receiving a brief explanation about the school from a head teacher Mr. Toru NIITANI, we observed classrooms and interacted with students.

In the afternoon, Mr. Mizuseki, head of the medical center gave us a brief explanation about Hiroshima Prefectural Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Physical Disabilities. Afterwards we went around to observe the center, its affiliated institutions. There we saw children and adults with severe or multiple disabilities who lives in this institution, goes to Saijo school, receives medical treatment and rehabilitation, and entertain oneself at the sports center. They stay in this complex facility most of their life.

In Tokyo we had met many people with disabilities who were rather independent and proactive. Therefore this encounter with institutionalized people with severe disabilities here was such a contrast. We were left with many thoughts to reflect on.

This facility complex was made accessible everywhere, yet at the sports center we were amazed to see a special Braille block, which was not 凸凹 but totally flat. This Braille block functions with a special white cane which vibrates when it touches Braille block and even audio guidance is heard at junction corners. We also had an opportunity to try some sports such as wheelchair basketball and wheelchair football etc.

The head of sports center gave us a commemorative gift and the participant from Sri Lanka expressed our appreciation.

This visit became another unforgettable one. Thank you very much, everyone at Hiroshima Prefectural Rehabilitation Center, for your hospitability.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1107.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:50 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : November 6, 2006 : Local Visit (Day 2)

Second day in Hiroshima. Having a good rest after a long journey yesterday, this morning we woke up refreshed.

The morning session at JICA Hiroshima was reflection on our individual training programs. Through sharing our experiences, we could deepen our understanding and learn from each other.

In the afternoon we paid a courtesy call to Hiroshima Prefectural Office and met with Mr. Masami SAKOI, Director General of Welfare and Health Affairs Department, and Mr. Masashi HAYAKAWA, Managing Director of Social Welfare Bureau. The participant from China expressed gratitude on behalf of the group.

Then we received a lecture from Mr. Tetsuro KONISHI, Director of Support Office for the Disabled and learned about Welfare Policy for Persons with Disabilities in Hiroshima Prefecture.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1106.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:49 PM | Comments (0)

November 24, 2006

TRAINING REPORT : November 5, 2006 : Local Visit (Day 1) Go back to Global Navigation

November 5, 2006
Local Visit (Day 1)

This morning we set out on local visit to Hiroshima. We took Shinkansen – bullet train – from Tokyo. We were looking forward to see the highest mountain in Japan, Mt. Fuji from the train but unfortunately it was too cloudy.

On the way to Hiroshima, we stopped by at Kyoto and visited a barrier-free temple, Sanjusangendo to learn about the accessibility and tourism. As autumn is the best season for sightseeing in Kyoto, the temple was filled with tourists from all over the world. At Kyoto station, we hired a taxi with a lift. This made it possible for us to move in this popular city of Kyoto.

As it was going to be a long walk to see the temple, at the entrance we rent three wheelchairs for participants from Laos and Vanuatu and for Mr. Ueno, chairperson of planning committee.

We observed the accessibility as follows.

1. There is accessible toilet for wheelchair users;
2. Wheelchairs are available for rent;
3. Baby carriages are available for rent;
4. Wheelchair users can freely move inside the temple;
5. Guide dogs and assistant dogs can enter inside;
6. Communication by writing is available for persons with hearing impairments;
7. There is a miniature of standing Kannon statue for persons with visual impairments to touch and recognize how the figure is;
8. Explanation and guide is given in Braille.

Tourism is one of the most important fields for income generation in many countries. If the tourist sites become accessible, the increasing number of people with disabilities will visit, therefore promoting more tourism in the countries. It provides more opportunity for persons with disabilities to visit and to participate in the society. We feel the disability issues should be addressed more in tourism.

We continued our journey to Hiroshima. When we got to JICA Hiroshima where we stay next 5 days, we were astonished by and pleased with its modern and comfortable accommodation.

* Sanjusangendo is located in eastern Kyoto. It was founded in 1164 and its present structures date from 1266. The temple is famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The central image is a seated figure of the Kannon with 11 faces and 1000 arms (a National Treasure), surrounded by 1000 smaller standing statues of the thousand-armed Kannon.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1105.html

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

TRAINING REPORT : November 2, 2006 : "Workshop on Proposal Writing I"

November 2, 2006
"Workshop on Proposal Writing I"
by Ms. Sarajean Rossitto Go back to Global Navigation

Today we had the first workshop on Proposal Writing by Ms. Sarajean Rossitto. A project proposal is a useful means to convey one’s idea of activities to other people in a written form. Each participant is being requested to write and submit Action Plan to JICA at the end of this training. Its aim is to describe what they leaned from the training in Japan and also what action they will take upon their return home by making use of their learning.

This workshop on proposal writing facilitated participants with skills to write their Action plan. The participants could start writing some of each section of their Action Plan during this workshop. This writing process helps participants make their ideas more concrete and feasible.

Three days individual training which starts from tomorrow will help participants widen and deepen their undestanding of specific issues of their interests and therefore their ideas for Action Plan.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1102.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:55 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 27, 2006 : Workshop on Organization Management

October 27, 2006
Workshop on Organization Management
Ms. Yukie TAGUCHI, Program Officer, Center for Public Resources Development

It's relatively easy to form a group among people with the same interests. To manage the group, however, is another thing. When it comes to even a bigger organization, especially with a limited budget, how do we run the organization, organize its activities and manage the people involved ?

Today we learned about the characteristics of non-profit organization (NPO). Analyzing a case study of real NPO, we learned some factors of organization management.

(Lecture material : case study)

In the afternoon we studied how to make budget mainly for human resources. Based on the organization and problem analysis we did in Project Formulation workshop, each of us created the budget for plans of action on our return home, and the participant from Belize presented his result.

(Lecture material : http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/material/lecture/1027/index.html)

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1027.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:51 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 26, 2006 : JICA-net Conference

October 26, 2006
JICA-net Conference

JICA-net Conference gives the participants an opportunity to learn the firsthand experiences of former participants who have already utilized their learning in Japan in their home countries and have been actively worked as a leader with disabilities.

Last year we invited two former participants from Fiji and the Philippines and had a meaningful conference by using satellite. This year we asked Mr. Carlos Kaiser from Chile, a participant of Leaders' course 2003, to be a guest speaker for JICA-net conference

Mr. Kaiser established the first center of Independent Living in Chile as he planned in his Action Plan. This March Ms. Michele Bachelete, the new president of Chile appointed him as the National Director of the National Found of Disabilities' Issues (this is the government agency of disabilities) and now he has become one of the prominent leaders with disabilities.

Through the screen we could recognize the face of Carlos and his wife. He had also asked Ms. Angelica Romeo, a former participant of Leaders' course 2000, to attend the conference. She is an active blind lady and gave all participants her frank opinions from a perspective of a person with visual impairment.

Participants asked questions such as "how to approach to the government", "how Carlos got his government officials to implement policies for persons with disabilities", "how to include persons with severe disabilities", "how to organize the barrier-free tourism for persons with visual impairments in Chile" etc.

Carlos left us with the following key words.

* Have cross disability efforts
* Work as a team.
* Build a Good network with mass media or mass communication.
* Appeal to society and authority by conducting peaceful demonstration.
* Make good impact and good change to society
* Live as a responsible member of society, not as a passive person who only receive.

Seven participants were very impressed and moved to see how Carlos and Angelica have realized their dreams and work as leaders in their country.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1026.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:49 PM | Comments (0)

November 20, 2006

TRAINING REPORT : November 14, 2006 : Proposal Writing II by Sarajean Rossitto

This morning we had the second workshop on proposal writing by Ms. Rossitto.
Participants had prepared their draft Action Plan. They were divided into three groups and described verbally summary of their plan in five minutes and gave a feedback to each other. They found out it is quite hard to summarize it in limited time.

Ms. Kawamura and Ms. Kashiwagi, committee members, participated and gave the participants some advice on the contents of their Action Plan.

The afternoon was spent to work individually and compete their Action Plan.
Tomorrow we make a presentation on our Action Plan.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1114.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:19 PM | Comments (0)

November 13, 2006

TRAINING REPORT : October 24-25, 2006 : Project Formulation Workshop

October 24-25, 2006
Project Formulation Workshop
by Ms. Junko NOGUCHI, Foundation for Advanced Study on International Development (FASID)

What is project?

Project is to achieve concerete objectives in a defined timeframe using defined budget. With Ms. Noguchi, we learned to analyse organization, stakeholders, and problems. These analyises gave us some fundamental infomation to formulate a project. We were divided into two groups and presented the results of analysis to each other.
Ms. Noguchi explaining cycle of improvement participant from Laos participant from Colombia

This exercise is very usuful. Because we reflected on our own situations of persons with disabilities through the process of analysis, we could start thinking more concretely about our action plan upon our return home. Today we had presence of Mr. Ueno, chairperson of planning committee to share the learning experience.
classroom

On the second day, not only Mr. Ueno but another committee member Ms. Kashiwagi and Ms. Ueno, expert on international cooperation, manager of international relation division of JSRPD, joined us.
Ms. Kashiwagi, committee member Ms. Ueno, manager of international relations division, JSRPD

We continued to work on our project formulation. Based on the problem analysis in the first day, we considered which issues should be dealt in a project. Then we write down step-by-step concrete activities to be taken in order to achieve the purpose. At the end of two days sesseion, we came up with our own Project Plan format.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1024and25.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:24 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 23, 2006 PM : Lecture : Movement of Persons with Disabilities in Japan, Up to the Dawn of Japan Disabilities Forum

October 23, 2006 PM
Lecture : Movement of Persons with Disabilities in Japan, Up to the Dawn of Japan Disabilities Forum
Mr. Katunori Fujii, Board Chairman of Japan Disability Forum and Executive Director of Japan Council on Disability

Mr. Fujii started his lecture by talking about his personal history. When he was a teacher at the special school, many questions came up to his mind.

"Why is there a "school-entry screening procedure"?
"Why is the school-entry of children with more severe disabilities rejected?"
"Why don’t children with disabilities like summer/winter holidays?"
"Why is there no place for students with disabilities to go after school graduation?"

Then he decided not to face away from paradox and contradictions of the society and devoted himself to disability movement.

Mr. Fujii also introduced how Japan Disabilities Forum was established and explained importance of working together with other disability groups.

Before closing his lecture, he asked each participant to tell him about his/her dream and what they want to acheive in five years.

Participants answered as follows ;

* I may be working for employment promotion of persons with visual impairments. Hopefully I set up a sheltered workshop by that time.
* In 2011 my center can accept not only children and youth, but also elderly people.
* By 2011, I would like to establish cross-disability organization in my country.
* I would like to start personal assistant service in my country and enable persons with disabilities to go to school.
* By that time, I would like to establish a network among disability organizations in my country.
* With my efforts, the number of employees with disabilities would be doubled in five years.
* I would like to work for awareness raising and change the society.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1023pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:23 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 23, 2006 AM : History of the Global Disability Movement

October 23, 2006 AM
History of the Global Disability Movement
Lecture by Mr. Yutaka Takamine, Professor of Faculty of Law nad Letters, University of the Ryukyus

Mr. Yutaka Takamine lectured in JICA Okinawa and we relayed it to JICA Headquarters by using JICA-net (satellite system). The distance between Okinawa and Tokyo is as much as 2000km. The participants could not believe the distance because through the screen it seemed as if Mr. Takamine was sitting just in front of us. It was a first experience for seven participants to use JICA-net, so they looked very much interested in the system.

Mr. Takamine used to work for UN ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific) as Project Expert on Disability and he is familiar with the situation of persons with disabilities in Asia and Pacific regions.

He started his lecture with the information on globalization of the disability movement. It covered from UN Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons in 1975 to UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, of which draft text was adopted at the eight session of the Ad Hoc Committee from 14 to 25 August 2006. Then he explained us about relation between poverty and disability by using the statistics. According to it, 70 to 80% of persons with disabilities living in rural area are poor and facing many difficulties. In order to emerge from poverty, it is essential to set up income generating programs and he lectured on SHO (self-help organizations), SHG (Self-help groups) and a success case of SHG in India.

Participants from Latin America were exited to know that the Latin America Decade started from this year.

Lecture material : History of the Global Disability Movement [ PDF (187KB) ]

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1023am.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:23 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 20, 2006 Workshop : Advocacy

October 20, 2006
Workshop : Advocacy
Facilitated by Ms. Chihiro Kawamura, Associated Professor of Niigata Seiryo University and Ms. Makiko Horiuchi, Chief Coordinator of Center for Independent Living HANDS Setagaya.

The theme of today's program was 'Advocacy' and the purpose was to understand the basic meanings of 'discrimination' and 'human rights.'

In the morning, both Ms. Kawamura and Ms. Horiuchi presented their personal histories including their own experiences of being discriminated because of their disabilities. Ms. Horiuchi showed a video about her daily life which is carried out with help of personal assistants. The participants' attention was drawn to persona assistants. By seeing how useful and helpful the personal assistants can be for the persons with disabilities to lead an independent life, from the video the participants could learn the importance of personal assistants.

The afternoon started with participants' telling their own experiences of being discriminated. Each of them presented different scenes of discriminations like being refused to get on a bus, being stared at and laughed at by other people because of disability and so on. With patience and courage, they have all got out of their crisis.

Japanese participants including a committee member Ms. Kashiwagi and Ms. Masako Okuhira manger of international training section of JSRPD made their comments by mentioning their experiences of being discriminated and how they have overcomed.

Using the time allocated for reflection of the training, we further discussed about causes or background of discrimination they have experienced. People's attitudes, lack of adequate communication, fear of person without disabilities to compete with persons with disabilities, lack of accessibility in infrastructure, lack of information, lack of education etc were listed. Unfortunately the time was running out and the issue of 'discrimination' and 'rights' could not be fully discussed, but the course participants could understand what 'discrimination' is from today's session.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1020.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:37 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 18 & 19, 2006 : Workshop : Leadership Skills Ⅱ(Theme : teamwork / network building)

October 18 & 19, 2006
Workshop : Leadership Skills Ⅱ(Theme : teamwork / network building)
by Mr. Yoshinori Ikezumi, Regional Coordinator of International People's Health Council South East / Pacific and North East Asia

We, again, had an exciting workshop presented by Mr. Ikezumi on 18th & 19th.
October 18

Following the word of Mr. Ikezumi "Most effective way to learn how tofacilitate is, to facilitate", participants formed a pair and each had an opportunity to facilitate the topic of their interests. Ms. Horiuchi, planning committee member, also participated. The participants came up with unique methods to facilitate. For example, game of drawing pictures, watching wheelchair sports video, doing role-play and so on. The other participants never thought these could be facilitation means before.

We learned there are as many ways of facilitating as there are the number of facilitators.

On 19, we finalized what was the facilitating.

Mr. Ikezumi explained to trainees principles behind "facilitator" which he came up with from his rich experiences. He asked participants to add their own principles of facilitator based on their own rich experiences.

Through 4 days session with Mr. Ikezumi, all participants learned a lot about facilitation, also they could explored themselves, and became able to express themselves more open.

They were impressed from this eye-opening workshop and also with his dynamic personalities.

Posted by jicafriends at 10:18 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 17, 2006 Current situation of Persons with Disabilities Go back to Global Navigation

October 17, 2006
Current situation of Persons with Disabilities

In the morning, we visited National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry. to learn about rehabilitation of persons with psychiatric disabilities in Japan. Mr. Nobuo ANZAI, M.D., Director of Department of rehabilitation of the Hospital gave us a lecture about the center and affiliated Musashi Hospital and also aboout the current state of persons with psychiatric disabilities. After the lecture we went around to see inside the hospital to learn about some of its services.
Dr. Anzai Lecture on psychiatric disabilities
PM : Exchange of opinions with persons with psychiatric disabilities

In the afternoon, we met with the members of Club House 'Habataki' and the users of Community Living Support Center for Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities 'Asayake'. We had an honorouble presence of the Mayor of Kodaira City and he explained us about the responsibility and roles of local government in supporting persons with disabilities. On behalf of the course participants, the participant from Colombia greeted to all those who are present.
Mayor of kodaira city Greeting by Colombianparti

Mr. Ueno, chairperson of Planning Committee, accompanied us all day. This meeting was such a great opportunity to listen to personal experiences of persons with psychiatric disabiilities directly from them. Members of Habataki and users of Asayake asked some questions to the course participants and so we could mutually exchange opinions. Before closing today's program, the participant from Laos expressed our appreciation for holding such a fruitful metting today.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1017.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:17 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 16, 2006 : Lecture at Japan Braille Library: Current Situation of Persons with Visual Impairments in Japan

October 16, 2006
Lecture at Japan Braille Library: Current Situation of Persons with Visual Impairments in Japan
by Mr. Yamaguchi Kazuhiko, Executive Director of International Association for the Visual Impaired, a member of Planning Committee

In the morning we visited Japan Braill Library to have Mr. Yamaguchi's lecture on the current situation of persons with vsual impairments in Japan and he gave us a general idea of education, rehabilitation, employment, home helper system, pension scheme, reduction of public transportation fees, Braille library, Braille publishers, subsidies for Braille books, information accessibility and ICT for persons with visual impairments.

Mr. Yamaguchi emphasized that the number of eldery people who became visual impairments has increased. When you are young, it is easy for you to learn PC or Braille, however it is hard for eldery people to master.
How we can secure information for them is one of big issues now.
Seven participants also learned about assistive devices for persons with visual impairments.

In the afternoon we observed the five-storied library. It was established in 1940 by Mr. Kazuo Honma, who contributed to improve the life of visual impairments and was called "Father of persons with visual impairments." in Japan.

Seven participants earnestly looked round the work place, recording room, stock room, reading room, and other facilities in the library.

We are all impressed by the fact that operation of the library was supported by 528 volunteers, who are screened carefully in order to provide qualified services. Participants were amazed by the Japanese voluntary spirit.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1016.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:16 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 13, 2006 : Workshop : Peer Counseling

October 13, 2006
Workshop : Peer Counseling
by Ms. Keiko Higuchi, President of Studio IL Bunkyo

In the morning, Ms. Higuchi talked on her personal history. All participants understood how she overcame her difficulties in her life and came across Independent movement and peer counseling.

Then she explained about Peer counseling of persons with disabilities and she expressed how important it is.

* Peer Counseling
Peer counseling is mutual help among people who share the same or similar experiences, and there are various approaches including supplying information and knowledge regarding disabilities, listening to personal or emotional issues, and giving advice (in this case, protection of rights of persons with disabilities is also referred to). Our peer counseling aims to encourage discussion as to what kind of emotions clients have regarding the situations they are in; their needs, goals, etc., with the final aim where they can confidently make decisions and rational choices. There are two purposes of peer counseling: (1) setting a goal, and (2) creation of a powerful and positive self-image. The peer counselor has to always pay attention to the client during the session. This means carefully listening to the client, aiming to understand what situation the client is in and who they want to be in the future. This helps to find how the client can overcome self-doubt and passivity by using their good qualities or abilities. The peer counselor has to be focused so that the client can have a sense of security, feel the counselor is paying attention and cooperating with him or her. The fundamental idea of implementing peer counseling is the following: "Every person has abundant creativity, wisdom, joy, love, and a spirit of solidarity."

In the afternoon, seven participants and Ms. Higuchi made four pairs to conduct sessions. One took a role of peer counselor and the other act as a client.

After some time, they change roles and every one experienced both a counselor and client.

The counselor must not interfere while the client is talking, just listens to him/her carefully.

Today's topic was 'hardships you experinced because of disabilities.'

It seemed that the participants could express and speak about their experiences in comfortable atmosphere.

And they were very impressed by knowing a new skill and some of them even mentioned that they would like to try it in their countries.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1013.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:13 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 12, 2006 : Lecture : Philosophy of Independent Living Movement and Independent Living Center, Lecture : History of Personal Assistance System in Japan Go back to Global Navigation

October 12 AM, 2006
Lecture : Philosophy of Independent Living Movement and Independent Living Center
by Mr. Shoji Nakanishi, President of Japan Council on Independent Living Centers

It was the day of meeting two great leaders with disabilities in Japan.

In the morning, Mr. Shoji Nakanishi, President of Japan Council on Independent Living Centers, explained about the philosophy of IL Movement and services of IL centers including IL skills program, peer counceling and personal assistant. Many participants came to be interested in PA service which is an essential service for people with severe disabilities.
October 12 PM, 2006
Lecture : History of Personal Assistance System in Japan
by Mr. Teruhisa Yokoyama, President of IL Center, HANDS Setagaya

In the afternoon, another great leader, Mr. Teruhisa Yokoyama shared his personal history with the JICA participants. He brought his wife with him. They both have same disabilities, cerebral palsy, and use wheelchairs and personal assistants to live in their community. Mr. Yokoyama has been fighting for human rights for people with disabilioties since 60's. All the participants were very impressed with his lecture.

It seemed they got empowered by the lectures of two great leaders.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1012.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:12 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 11, 2006 : Visit : "Tamashiro-no Sato" Living and Work Institution for the deaf with multiple Disabilities, Lecture : "Current Situation of Person with Hearing Impairments in Japan"

October 11, 2006
Visit : "Tamashiro-no Sato" Living and Work Institution for the deaf with multiple Disabilities
Lecture : "Current Situation of Person with Hearing Impairments in Japan"
by Mr. Katsuhiko HANADA, Head of institution and board member, Tamashiro - no - Sato

"Tamashiro - no - Sato" is located on the outskirts of Tokyo, so we left JICA Tokyo at 8:00 in the morning by bus.
Mr. Hanada, head of the institute is deaf and gave us a lecture in sign language.
He can also communicate vocally with us since he was trained to read lips when he was a student.

The children with multiple disabilities were ignored and excluded from normal education. till the Tokyo Metropolitan Government established classes for children with multiple disabilities in schools for the deaf in 1966.
Seven participants learned about hardships of the deaf children and the deaf children with multiple disabilities and how and why they built this institute.

Mr. Hanada emphasized that acceptance is the most important key to communicate with users."

In the afternoon we observed their facility such as bathroom, user's room, short - stay room and work place and we also had a chance to watch their activities.

Participants from Sri Lanka, Vanuatu and Laos were very surprised to see how users produced the plant pots by using recycling paper.

Users taught us how to use (speak) Japanese sign language and we enjoyed the conversation with them.

Though the institute is far and we needed a long drive, it was a meaningful visit for all of us.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1011.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:11 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 10, 2006 : Lecture and Visit : on the Current Situation of persons with Intellectual Disabilities in Japan at "Kinuta Kobo"

October 10, 2006
Lecture and Visit : on the Current Situation of persons with Intellectual Disabilities in Japan at "Kinuta Kobo"
- Setagaya Ward Sheltered Workshop for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

'Kinuta Kobo' is a Setagaya ward sheltered workshop where persons with intellectual disabilities commute and work. In the morning, Mr. Masayoshi Nakano, director of 'Kinuta Kobo' gave a lecture on various issues related to persons with intellectual disabilities such as the definition of intellectual disabilities and what it means "to work". Ms. Chihiro Kawamura, committee member, accompanied us and gave a opening remark.

In the afternoon, we split into three groups and participated in actual work conducted at 'Kinuta Kobo'. One of the jobs was to enclose different kinds of commercial documents in envelopes, which was consigned from a private company. The other was to package cutleries into plastic bags, which was consigned from a restaurant. While working, we had an opportunity exchange opinions with the users of 'Kinuta Kobo'.

PM : Visit : "Sukippu" Setagaya Ward Employment Support Center for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

After watching the video about the activities at Sukippu, we went on a tour to observe actual work activities at Sukippu.

Both Kinuta Kobo and Sukippu are run by Inclusion Tokyo, which is an organization by parents of persons with intellectual disabilities. Compared to Kinuta Kobo, the users at Sukippu are persons with mild disabilities and their work are more profit oriented.

With adecuate support, persons with intellectual disabilities are able to engage in work and earn their living to lead an independent living.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1010.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 8, 2006 : Visit : Showa Memorial Park

October 8, 2006
Visit : Showa Memorial Park
- Check the barrier - free facilities of a public place and exchange opinions with Japanese people with disabilities

It was a beautiful Sunday and blue sky welcomed us.
Fifty six persons including twenty eight persons with physical, visual and hearing disabilities gathered and had a nice time together.

Showa memorial park was established as park of a project to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa's reign, and it now comprises about 138 hectares of completed area.

It was designed accessible to persons with disabilities and eldery people and provides the following services.

1.. Those visitors who have been issued with disability cards or medical cards, may park and enter the park free of charge.

2.. There are 36 wheelchairs available. Visitors wishing to use one should please feel free to ask at the entrance. They are, of course, free of charge.

3.. There are 32 toilets for the disabled located near to the main facilities in the park.

We devided into five cross disability groups and we introduced ourselves and exchanged ideas related to the disability issues. Then guide helpers at the park showed us around the park and explained the barrier-free facilities.

By the time we finished the program, all participants became friends and we could establish a network among us.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1008.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:08 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 7, 2006 : Presentation : Personal Report

October 7, 2006
Presentation : Personal Report

Seven participants presented their personal histories all day long.

Nearly thirty people, including planning committee members, JICA staff, other guests from different organizations and five Duskin Leadership trainees gathered at Briefing Room at JICA Tokyo. Duskin trainees are from Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Nepal and Taiwan. So representatives from 13 countries assembled in one room and exchanged information and ideas. It was a great opportunity for all of us and we were very much empowered with each other.

Bonds of seven participants became stronger through this sharing experiences.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1007.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:07 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 6, 2006 AM : Lecture on "Present State and issues concerning Barrier-Free Transportation in Japan as of 2006"

October 6, 2006 AM :
Lecture on "Present State and issues concerning Barrier-Free Transportation in Japan as of 2006"
by Mr. Yoshiaki IMAFUKU, Transportation Affairs Officer, DPI - Japan

Mr. Imafuku is a board member of Japan National Assembly of Disabled People's International (DPI - Japan) and he himself uses an electric wheelchair.

Today he gave a lecture on the current situation of transportation accessibility and the importance of public transportation accessibility for promotion of social participation of persons with disabilities. As he explained using a lot of pictures and short videos, it was really easy to understand. An assistant explained the photos to a participant with visual impairment.

He concluded his session by giving the participants his strong and sincere message which he learned from his 25 years of experiences in the field of transportation accessibility. Some people may say that we can carry the person with disabilities where there is a barrier. It should be, however, commonly recognized that wherever small level differences or gaps exist, a portable ramp is very useful tool to solve the problem. The portable ramp is comparatively low-price, is portable and can easily be handmade. It is absolutely not acceptable to try to overcome barrier problems by "carrying wheelchair users." It is essential to remove the barrier so that persons with disabilities can move freely by themselves.

Lecture material : http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/material/lecture/1006/01.html

PM : Accessibility Check in Tokyo Metropolitan City

In the afternoon we all went on a half day tour to experience the transportation accessibility in Tokyo Metropolitan City.

We will never forget this experience. As a typoon was approaching to Japan, it was such a windy and stormy day. Even though we all put on a yellow rain jacket, we were all soaked wet when we get back to JICA Tokyo. Mr. Imafuku empowered us that we could go out even in a rainy day to realize our goals and we will be able to make our dreams come true even in rainy days of our life.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1006.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:06 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 4 & 5, 2006 : Workshop : Leadership Skills (Theme : self - development)

October 4 & 5, 2006 :
Workshop : Leadership Skills (Theme : self - development)
by Mr. Yoshinori Ikezumi, Regional Coordinator of International People's Health Council South East / Pacific and North East Asia

An exciting two days' workshop on Leadership Skills by Mr. Yoshinori Ikezumi was held on Wednesday and Thursday.

The formar participants may recall your experiences in his workshop.

Though the essential part of the workshop is same every year, the outcome is widely different each year. This year we spent more time for discussion and each participant had to think on many topics, such as the difference between "to control" and "to facilitate."

Ms. Makiko Horiuchi, one of the planning committee members participated positevely in the workshops. She expressed her opinions and share her own experiences.

We would like to leave the details of the workshop contents secret for the future participants to discover.

The latter part of two days' workshop with the theme of teakwork/network building will be held on 18 and 19 of this month.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1004and5.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:04 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 3, 2006 PM : Lecture "Social Policy for People with Disabilities in Japan"

October 3, 2006 PM :
Lecture "Social Policy for People with Disabilities in Japan"
by Mr. Uemura Ph.D., Professor of Graduate College of Social Service Management, Japan College of Social Work

Mr. Uemura is a professor at Japan College of Social Work and also member of Planning Committee of this training course. He gave a lecture on the overview of Japanese social policies for persons with disabilities.

Lecture Material : http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/material/lecture/1003b/01.html

We learnt about a wide range of social services in such fields as education, employment, medical services, laws, social security etc. The participants asked many questions such as "Unemployed persons with disabilities can also receive disability pension? (Vanuatuan participant)", "What percentage of salary is obliged to pay for social security? Is the employment rate stipulated in the law compulsory? (Colombian participant)" "What kind of support is given to the volunteer activities (Sri Lankan participant)" etc.

Combined with the morning session by Mr. Onoue from DPI-Japan, we could gain a basic knowledge on the situation of persons with disabilities in Japan and the social policies for persons with disabilities in Japan.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1003pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:03 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 3, 2006 AM : Lecture "Measures on Disabilities in Japan : Perspectives of Persons with Disabilities"

October 3, 2006 AM :
Lecture "Measures on Disabilities in Japan : Perspectives of Persons with Disabilities"
by Mr. Onoue, Secretary General of DPI-Japan

The very first lecture conveyed such strong and important messages, being given by Mr. Onoue, Secretary General of DPI-Japan. Mr. Onoue talked about historical development of Japanese policies from the perspectives of persons with disabilities, describing it with his own experiences of challenges against the existing situations and systems and also with other actual cases.

What's equality? The importance of making the disability issues not only of the persons with disabilities but of the whole. There were a lot of themes in his lecture to think over.

He concluded his session by saying "do not unnecessarily repeat the same mistakes of Japan, lean from our errors, promote normalization and create universal designed society from now!” We had an excellent start of the 2006 training course!

Lecture Material : http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/material/lecture/1003a/01.html

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1003pm.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:02 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : October 2, 2006 : Opening Ceremony and Program Orientation

October 2, 2006 :
Opening Ceremony and Program Orientation

oday, the Opening Ceremony was held in JICA Tokyo to launch the JICA group training course on "Leadership Development of Persons with Disabilities."

The 7 course participants received the welcome speech from Mr. Nishiyama, Group Director of Administration Group, JICA and also from Mr. Kataishi, Secretary General of JSRPD.

It was followed by Program Orientation where Mr. Ueno, chairperson of Planning Committee gave a power point presentation on the overview of the course. Also the resource book and some additional information were provided.

Not only the JICA, JICE and JSRPD staff but also so Mr. Ueno (chairperson, Planning Committee), Prof. Kawamura (Committee Member), Ms. Horiuchi (Committee Member) and Ms. Rossitto (Proposal Writing Facilitator) were present. All the people who were present there introduced themselves including some personal information and we got to know each other a little bit more.

All of us are looking forward to collaborating together and learning a lot from each other during the coming 7 weeks.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1002.html

Posted by jicafriends at 10:02 AM | Comments (0)

July 21, 2006

Self-Advocacy

How many of you believe that persons with disabilities are able to express
their opinions or ideas?

I learned about self-advocacy for persons with intellectual disabilities
from a Malaysian participant of Vocational Rehabilitation Course this year.
I had heard of the word of "Self-Advocacy" before, however I realized that I
hadn't understood its real meaning.
I would like to share with you "Request to the Welfare Measures of Tokyo
Metropolitan Government" and "Self-Advocacy Resolution (tentative
version)"today. Mr. Kenjiro Yamada and members of Yuai-kai （Group of
persons with intellectual disabilities themselves) organized and wrote the
requests to the government.

I look forward to hearing your opinion.

keiko nakatani

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2006/material/resume/yuai/index.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:51 PM | Comments (0)

July 13, 2006

TRAINING REPORT : June 22, 2006 (Morning) : Visit : Akita Rehabilitation and Training Center for Persons with Disabilities

Akita Rehabilitation and Training Center for Persons with Disabilities provides vocational training, daily living skill training and a variety of other rehabilitation services to help those with physical disabilities recover the abilities needed to participate in the society. Mr. Hanegawa, Director gave us a brief outline of the center and showed us around the training rooms. The center aims to help persons with physical disabilities reintegrate into society in accordance with individual goals such as returning home or being employed.

After that we visited Sports Center for Workers with Disabilities since we could not observe any sports facilities for persons with disabilities in Tokyo. The building is designed accessible. The entrance and exits are equipped with slope and automatic doors, all the corridors in the building have handrails, the locker rooms are equipped with showers and the toilets are accessible for the wheelchair users. The entire building is also facilitated with heaters so that the users can safely enjoy sports throughout a year, even in the winter

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2006/

Posted by jicafriends at 10:04 AM | Comments (0)

July 11, 2006

TRAINING REPORT : June 21, 2006 : Local Visit (Day 2) Visit to Prefectural Office

In the morning we visited "Welview Izumi", welfare facility complex where various different facilities are located in one building, such as a nursery, a sheltered workshop for persons with intellectual disabilities, a day care center for elderly people as well as residential facility for elderly people. Director of the complex explained on the outline of "Welview Izumi" and showed us from the 1st to the 3rd floor. This complex enables children, elderly people and persons with disabilities interact with each other and produces a friendly atmosphere. After observation we could enjoy Japanese traditional dancing's performed by community volunteers. A reporter from TV Akita came to film and interview seven guest from Asian countries and they were broadcasted the news on TV twice.

In the afternoon we visited Akita Prefectual Office to pay a courtesy call to Governor of Akita Prefecture. We were quite nervous to see the Governor at the beginning, however he warmly welcomed us and made us relax. A participant from Malaysia expressed appreciation words.

After the courtesy visit we moved to the conference room to have a lecture on the Basic Plans for "Akita Wakasugi Taikai", the 7th National Sports Games for Persons with Disabilities which is going to be held during October 13 (Sat) - 15 (Mon), 2007. This Sports Games are not only for persons with physical disabilities but also persons with intellectual disabilities, and from 2008 persons with psychiatric disabilities will take part in the Games. At the end a mascot for the Games "Sugitti" suddenly appeared in front of us and we were so happy to take photos together with "Sugitti". All of us would like to pray for success of Sprots Games in Akita 2007.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2006/

Posted by jicafriends at 04:17 PM | Comments (0)

July 04, 2006

TRAINING REPORT : June 27, 2006 : Project Proposal Writing II

We were all happy to see Ms. Sarajean Rossitto again. Today was a half-day session on Proposal Writing and we learnt about the section on "BUDGET-expences and venues."

We brought our draft Action Plans and each of us had an opportunity to make a 5 minutes presentation on the summary of our Acton Plans. Then we exchanged comments to each other.

This session helped us greatly to make our plans more concrete and comprehensible.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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TRAINING REPORT : June 16 & 19, 2006 : Individual Training Program

2 days individual training program were organized. Each participant had good opportunities to deepen their knowledge in the field of their specific interests. We could all get more concrete ideas for action plans on our return to home countries.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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TRAINING REPORT : June 11 - 13, 2006 : "Workshop Management" – Group Visits to "WITH" and "Fukushino-Machi-Zukurino-Kai"

7 participants were divided into 2 groups and one visited WITH in Shizuoka Prefecture and the other visited Fukushino-Machi-Zukurino-Kai in Fukushima Prefecture. We travelled by a famous bullet train so-called Shinkansen and enjoyed a comfortable trip to outside Tokyo. Each group learnt about management of community based workshops.

"WITH"

3 participants from Bhutan, Cambodia and Sri Lanka visited Sheltered Workshop for Persons with Disabilities WITH in Shizuoka Prefecture. WITH is a small-scale workshop established by Mr. Chiaki Shiba in 1995.

July 12

- Orientation

- Introduction and meeting with WITH users and staff

- History and philosophy of WITH

- Persons with disabilities also have right to work (UN Declaration of Disabled Persons 1975)

- How persons with disabilities can work?

- Observation of working site

- Work of staff, activities of volunteers

- Subsidy system for workshop, workshop management

- Support system (supporting group and volunteers)

- Network with people in the community

- Oversea aid (e.g. WITH in Sri Lanka)

- Future action plan of WITH

July 13

- Observation: Lecture about social welfare in elementary school by Mr. Shiba

- Wrap-up session and conclusion of the three-days training

"Fukushino-Machi-Zukurino-Kai"

4 participants from Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan and Philippines visited Fukushino-Machi-Zukurino-Kai (literally meaning a "welfare-town building center) in Fukushima Prefecture. Right in the beginning, we were given an opportunity to make a coutesy visit to the City Hall with Ms. Suzuki, one of the founders of Fukushino-Machi-Zukurino-Kai, and we exchanged opinions with Mr. Akimoto who is in charge of welfare issues.

Ms. Watanabe, director of the center, kindly accompanied us throughout the program. We observed how they bake delicious cookies and cakes and deliver them to a local kindergarten and also souveniour shops at tourist sites.

They also collect various objects from the community and run a recycling shop "Machiko-chan." Some of participants also enjoyed their shopping here.

"Fukushino-Machi-Zukurino-Kai" has been supporting an Independent Living Center in Philippines by sharing their experiences and skills as well as by financing them. From the reports submitted by the center in Philippines, we could understand that it has been managed well.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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June 22, 2006

TRAINING REPORT : June 14 & 15, 2006 : Workshop on Facilitator Skills

This is the second session on Facilitator Skills by Mr. Ikezumi. This time each participant was given half an hour to facilitate on free topic.

Interestingly each facilitation was very different from each other and all facilitators could evoke participation of everyone. After each session we exchanged frank comments to each facilitator, from which many lessons could be learnt.

Before finishing for the day, Ms. Nakatani, JSRPD staff, held an orientation session on Individual Training and also on Akita Prefecture regional training.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Ikezumi!
To our great pleasure, we had an honour to celebrate Mr. Ikezumi’s birthday on the last day of his workshop. We enjoyed singing Happy Birthday in choras and we all wish him the very best.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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TRAINING REPORT : June 08 - Project Proposal Writing by Ms. Sarajean Rossitto

Today is the first one day workshop on proposal writing. To be able to write a project proposal is a very important skill not only for fundraising but also for planning of any projects.

Action Plan which all participants are expected to submit to JICA at the end of the course is similar to a project proposal, stating their vision, objectives, time frame etc. We are already getting started to work little by little on Action Plan, so that there is no panic in the last minutes.

At the end of the course we will have another half day session on this topic. The participants are expected to submit their draft action plan before making their presentation next day.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

Posted by jicafriends at 05:21 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : June 07 - Community Visit to Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Today we made a community visit to Atsugi City, organized by Prof. Ogawa, one of our committee members. We had a great opportunity to meet with an assembly member who is an electronic wheelchair user.

Because of his presence, more voice with persons with disabilities in this community is now heard and also there have seen many changes in accessibility in the city hall buidling. The height of speech table is ajustable and the spacious parking area with a roof is arranged for persons with disabilities, to name a few.

We visited a small scale workshop “Asunaro” where persons with different disabilities come to work together. They prepared delicious lunch for us and we enjoyed talking with the members. Later we visited two homes of persons with physical disabilities, both of which are reformed to meet the needs for their independent living. A participant from Sri Lanka experienced for the first time the lift transporting him from a bed to a toilet.

We were given much courage and happiness by both couples, hearing their stories and seeing their happy faces of walking a life together.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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June 12, 2006

TRAINING REPORT : June 06 -Inception Report Presentation

We left TIC early in the morning and visited Saitama Prefectural University for presenting Inception Report.

Our course leader, Mr. Ichiro Maruyama and committee member, Mr. Masaya Asahi are teaching at this university.

Before the presentation Mr. Maruyama showed us around the university.

Saitama Prefecture established the barrier-free ordinance, so all the rest rooms are designed for wheelchair users and space for wheelchairs is made in each classroom. And also all signboards are written both in Japanese and English. We were all very impressed by the modern equipments and facilities.

Inception Report Presentation started from 11:00. JICA Program Officer, Mr. Nonaka, committee member, the students and professors of the university came to listen participants' presentation.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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June 08, 2006

TRAINING REPORT : June 05 -Project Cycle Management Workshop

Today we had a workshop on PCM by Ms. Noguchi from FASID.

Project Cycle Management -planning- (PCM) is a well known participatory method in the development field to manage cycles of a project i.e. planning, implementation and evaluation. JICA also applies this method in many projects.

"Do you really know about your organization and stakeholders?"
First, participants worked individually to write a summary of their organizational information and also listed up other related organizations and their roles. This aimed to analyse stakeholders related to the employment of persons with disabilities in each country.

"Cause and effect logics"
Then we divided into two groups and analysed the given common problem "the employement of persons with disabilities is limited" using the cause and effect logics.

"Flash cards are very useful!"
As you see in the photos, we always used flash cards. They are a usuful tool to visualize the ideas and also they are fun to work with. Although we only had one day, we could start analysing a situation related to the emplyment of persons with disabilities and tried to understand the foundamental causes of the issue.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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TRAINING REPORT : June 02 -Visit to Yokogawa Electric Corporation and Yokogawa Foundry Corporation

Today we visited Yokogawa Electric Corporation and its exceptional subsidiary Yokogawa Foundry Corporation to learn about the employement of persons with disabilities in both open labour market and the special affiliated company.

Ms. Y. Hirata, one of the planning comittee members, works in the human resource department and showed us around the company. We had opportunities to talk with some employees with disabilities. Also all participants tried some of Yokogawa's original vocational aptitude tests which are actually conducted to persons with intellectual disabilities.

Today's visit was concluded with reflection by Prof. Terashima.

We'd like to express our gratitude to Yokogawa Corporation for today's insightful visit.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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TRAINING REPORT : May 29 -Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE) Tokyo 2006

We attended the Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics which is one of well-known international forums on development.

The overall theme of the conference was “Rethinking Infrastructure for Development” and addressed several major topics related to infrastructure and growth, climate change, energy efficiency, rural development, agriculture and the implications for regional cooperation.

We are a bit late for opening session because of the jammed trains, but we actively participated sessions whole day.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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June 05, 2006

TRAINING REPORT -Workshop on Facilitator Skills(May 31-June 01, 2006)-

We had an exciting two days' workshop on Facilitator Skills by Mr. Yoshinori Ikezumi.

The formar participants may recall your experiences in his workshop.

Today let us share some photos from the workshop here, but we'd like to leave the details of the workshop contents secret for the coming participants to discover.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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TRAINING REPORT - Visits Tokyo Information Technology Support Center for Persons with Disabilities and Tokyo Colony Nakano(May 30, 2006)-

Today’s morning visit was to Tokyo Information Technology Support Center for Persons with Disabilities. We saw various assisting IT devices.

A participant from Lao experienced how a person with severe physical disabilities can communicate just by eye movement.

Before the next visit, we had a nice walk around Takadanobaba where many institutions and organizations for social welfare are. Prof. Maruyama accompanied us all day long and explained us about the regional level policies on the persons with disabilities. We had an opportunity to visit the Japan Braille Library briefly.

In the afternoon, we visited Tokyo Colony Nakano. As is explained by Director General Mr. Musho, Tokyo Colony is one of the oldest workshops for persons with disabilities in Japan. They have been challenging to provide employment and jobs which are closer to open labour market employment as much as possible.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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TRAINING REPORT - Visit JHC Itabashi - employment of persons with psychiatric disabilities(May 26, 2006)-

Today we visited Sun Marina and JHC Shimura.

These are two of many JHC Itabashi group organizations which all work with and for the persons with psychiatric disabilities at very community level.

Mr. Toshiyuki Munakata, one of our committee members, is the chief director of Sun Marina.

We enjoyed such a delicious lunch prepared by members of Sun Marina and in the afternoon some participants experienced making a small bag by using an industrial sawing machine.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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TRAINING REPORT - Visit NRCD & NVRCD (May 24, 2006)-

Today's visit was to the National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disbilities (NRCD) and the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (NVRCD) in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture.

The participant from Pakistan had recovered, so we were happy that all seven participants got together again. Also we enjoyed a luxurious trip on a comfortable JICA bus which is as big as a sightseeing bus with its capacity of 30 passengers.

National Rehabilitation Center welcomed us and kindly prepared national flags of each paticipant's country.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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May 29, 2006

TRAINING REPORT -Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Japan (May 25, 2006)-

We took JICA bus to Chiba Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities in Chiba Pref. According to our schedule we were supposed to reach there before 10:00, but we got lost on the way and finally arrived there at 10:30. Though we needed to drive around for more than half an hour, we were so fortunate that we could cross the rainbow bridge and pass by Tokyo Disney Land.

In front the center we found Mr. Yoshihiko Nonaka, one of the planning committee members of this course. (Sorry for Nonaka san.)

Public Employment Security Office (PESO) is located on the first, second and third floor of the vocational center. Vocational Center and PESO have a good relation for job placement of persons with disabilities.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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TRAINING REPORT -Current Situation of Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Japan (May 23, 2006)-

From Kasumigaseki, government office district, we came back to TIC. Mr. Masaya Asahi, one of the planning committee members of this training course gave us a lecture on "Current Situation of Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Japan". He specially focused on the definition of the industrial workshop, sheltered workshop, small size community workshop, and "Quota scheme".

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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TRAINING REPORT -Welfare Services for Persons with Disabilities in Japan (May 23, 2006)-

Six participants visited Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to have a lecture on "Welfare Services for Persons with Disabilities in Japan" by Mr. Akira Otuka, Special Adviser for Disability Issues. The participant from Pakistan was a bit sick, so she stayed in TIC. Other brave members experienced the packed trains and got there. I think most of jicafriends know what it means.

Mr. Otsuka gave us an outline on welfare for persons with disabilities in Japan, including the draft of "Law concerning Self-reliance Support for Persons with Disabilities.

After the lecture we went up to 26th floor, the uppermost floor to see National Diet Building. We all enjoyed a panoramic view of government office district.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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TRAINING REPORT -Current Situation and Policies of Persons with Disabilities in Japan (May 22, 2006)-

Before the afternoon lecture Mr. ichiro Maruyama took all the participants to Shinjuku Welfare Center for Persons with Disabilities , adjoining to Toyama Sunrise and explained about the welfare services for habitants with disabilities in Shinjuku ward. It helped new jica friends understand the lecture.

Mr. Maruyama started his lecture with the video "Emerging" according to his custom, and he described global movements on disability and Japanese disability policies.

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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TRAINING REPORT -Program Orientation (May 22, 2006)-

The JICA group training course on "Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Promotion of Persons with Disablities" 2006 has started.

The Program Orientation was held at Toyama Sunrise Building. where JSRPD is located and it was our great pleasure to meet 7 very enthusiastic participants from Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lanka.

We had an honor to receive the presence of Prof. Maruyama (course leader), Prof. Ogawa and Prof. Terashima (committee members) as well as Ms. Noguchi (PCM facilitator) and Ms. Rossitto (Proposal Writing lecturer).

TRAINING REPORT in Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006

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