Kanagawa Prefecture will start new measures from the new fiscal year to support people with severe disabilities so that they can live in the area they want.
The law changes the consent system for “medical protection hospitalization”, a form of forced hospitalization, for persons with mental disabilities. It has been criticized as increasing unnecessary hospitalizations. The majority of what the law stipulates will come into effect in April 2024.
Compared to other countries, Japan has more people with disabilities living in institutions and hospitals, which is regarded as a challenge. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare intends to amend the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act and the Mental Health Welfare Act to promote the transition to community life and put in place a system.
On November 5th, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced a policy to establish a new type of group home (GH) where people with disabilities live together with support in a building like an apartment for those who want to live alone or live with their partner.
On October 1, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced at the Social Security Council’s Disability Subcommittee (chaired by Kaoru Kikuchi, Professor of Waseda University) that it would relax the staffing standards for “independent living support” for disability welfare services. It is necessary to assign a service manager to receive the designation of the business establishment of this service, but it is judged that this would be a barrier and entry will not proceed. By relaxing this standard, the number of business establishments and users would be increased.
A fire broke out in Amami City, Kagoshima Prefecture on the night of the 14th, and one group home was completely destroyed. At the time of the fire, there were six men with intellectual disabilities in their 50s and 60s who moved into the facility, but all of them escaped safely under the guidance of the facility staff.
After the death of a parent , there is a growing movement to create “support notes” that pre-write the medical care that children with severe disabilities should receive and the life they want to spend. Not only as a means of communicating with the people around the child, but also said that “I was able to sort out the necessary information and a little less anxiety.”
Two severely people with disabilities in their 20s who need medical care for 24 hours have left their parents for the first time and have begun living together in a private house in Fukuoka City.
““I want to enjoy my job without losing obstacles.” A seminar to think about how people with disabilities in a community with such thoughts can work by making use of their abilities will be held on December 6th 2019 in the complex facility “Nigiwai no Sato no Ichi Camino” in Nonoichi City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Young people who are active in the welfare field in European countries and think about how participants and people with disabilities work are invited. Participation is free.”
“Whilst visiting Niigata Prefecture, the Emperor and Empress visited a facility for people with disabilities called the “Niigata Fureai Plaza” on September 17th and interacted with residents.”
Barrier Free Japan