Annual Report (Summary)2005
Part I. Current Status of Persons with Disabilities


Part I. Current Status of Persons with Disabilities

Section 8. Messages from Persons with Disabilities

(1) Reality of disability

  With regard to reality of disability, persons with disabilities want others to know as follows: that disability cannot always be recognized by appearance and there are some persons with such disability who have difficulties in not being understood by others; disability is not one kind, but there is a diversity of disability in level and type; and disability is common issue to anyone.

(2) Necessary accommodations

  With regard to necessary accommodation, persons with disabilities want others to know as follows: there are many things that cannot be resolved solely by efforts of persons with disabilities by themselves or their families; support for work and places of work to be secured, because persons with disabilities are wishing to work despite their disabilities; experts on persons with disabilities are expected to gain the sufficient necessary knowledge.


Figure 1-12: Summary of "Messages from Persons with Disabilities" (by Type of Disability)



Realities of disabilities Help sought
Visual Disabilities
  • Not all persons with visual disabilities can use Braille.
  • It is hard to find out on which floor an elevator is stopping.
  • PC and Internet users include persons with visual disabilities as well, so please have the content support screen readers.
  • Machines with touch sensitive panels are hard to operate.
Hearing/
Speech Disabilities
  • The tough aspect of hearing disabilities is in the difficulty of communication.
  • Since we do not understand sound information, we cannot find out what is being announced.
  • Please also think of ways to convey information visually by using electric billboards, panels, or the like.
  • Please increase captioned and sign-language-interpreted TV programs.
Physical Disabilities
  • When using a wheelchair, we cannot move forward when there is even a slight step or a small obstacle.
  • On a wheelchair, we cannot reach high places and we cannot easily pick things off of the floor.
  • Some people cannot use the Japanese-style toilets, so please always provide a western-style toilet as well at public toilets.
  • The absolute number of parking spaces for persons with disabilities is small, and the spaces are sometimes occupied by cars of persons without disabilities
Internal Organ
Disabilities
  • Since the disabilities cannot be recognized by sight,it is hard to gain people's understanding of our situation.
  • The disabled organ (heart, lung, etc.) is not the only problem, but it has a bad effect on the entire body. So, we are tired everyday, unable to recover from the fatigue, and problems sometimes occur due to lack of concentration or perseverance.
  • We become tired easily, but since the disorders cannot be recognized by sight, we find it hard to be able to sit on priority seats even if we want to.
  • It would be useful if there were a mark or sign that allowed other people to recognize that you suffer from internal organ disorders.
Intellectual Disabilities
  • We find it difficult to understand abstract concepts.
  • We are not good at expressing our intentions or asking the right questions.
  • Please talk slowly with easy to understand words.
  • Please help us with the abilities we need but lack for working and supporting ourselves, and consider us as fellow neighbors
Mental Disorders
  • The disease is distressing, but life is also distressing with low income and so on.
  • Many people do not want other people to find out that they have mental disorders, because then they tend to be treated unfavorably.
  • Please do not treat persons with mental disorders specially, but respect their individualities and treat them gently and cheerfully.
  • Since it takes courage to confide that one is suffering from mental disorders, please do not tell others about it without permission.
Developmental
Disorders
  • It is said that 6.3% of the total population suffer from mild developmental disorders, such as Learning Disabilities (LD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), Asperger's syndrome, and High-Functioning Autism. However, such developmental disorders have not gained sufficient understanding and support.
  • Since the disorders cannot be recognized by sight,persons with disorders are often criticized as "having a bad attitude" or "being badly brought up."
  • The disorders can often be overcome to a certain extent by teaching or learning in a more individual, specific manner.
  • Visual support is often helpful for understanding.
Source: Cabinet Office



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