For “Disability Employment Support Month”, Event Held in Mie Prefecture Shopping Center with People with Disabilities Selling Sweets

From NHK

September 16 2023

Tsu City, Mie Pref – In conjunction with “Disability Employment Support Month” in September, an event was held at a shopping center in Tsu City, where cafes where people with disabilities work gathered to sell handmade sweets and other items.

The event was organized by Mie Prefecture and other organizations to expand understanding of employment of people with disabilities, and six cafes where people with disabilities work in the prefecture participated.

Each of the cafes set up a booth at the venue, selling handmade sandwiches, cookies, and other items, and visitors were able to purchase items and pick up pamphlets describing the cafes.

There was also a consultation corner at the venue regarding employment for people with disabilities, and some people asked for advice on how to choose a workplace for a family member with a disability.

One visitor said, “I bought pound cake and cookies. I have been involved in employment support work myself, and I would be happy if this kind of initiative spreads.

Mr. Koichiro Nishi, Director of the Mie Prefecture Employment and Employment Promotion Division for Persons with Disabilities, said, “I would be happy if visitors could see that people with disabilities are working with vigor and enthusiasm. We would like to realize a society in which working together with people with disabilities is a matter of course.”