National network for people with developmental disabilities will be formed; voices of people with developmental disabilities will be reflected in policies

By Barrier Free Japan, from Kyodo News via Nikkei

September 24 2024

TOKYO – A forum was held in Tokyo on September 22nd to form a national network for people with developmental disabilities, Kyodo News reported.

In order to reflect the voices of people with developmental disabilities in national and local government policies, local groups of people with developmental disabilities have decided to form a national network. The forum was held in Tokyo on the 22nd. Representatives of the initiators exchanged opinions on issues such as employment and welfare. A website will be launched within the year and participation will be encouraged.

Developmental disabilities are a general term for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many people have difficulty living due to strong attachment to certain things or difficulty communicating with others.

This year marks the 20th year since the Act on Support for People with Developmental Disabilities was enacted in 2004. While society has become more aware of the issue, local government councils are made up of medical and welfare experts and representatives of parent groups, and there are many cases where people with developmental disabilities are not present.

Hirono Yui, representative of the Osaka-based NPO DDAC (Association of Adults with Developmental Disabilities) and one of the founders of the nationwide network, emphasized that “the purpose of the network is to enable people with developmental disabilities to speak up and say, ‘This is wrong.'”

Ishibashi Hiroshi, head of the self-help group Sakai Hattatsu Tomo no Kai in Sakai City, said, “I hope that organizations across the country can form horizontal connections and lobby the government about common issues such as disability pension certification and continued employment.”