Basic Programme for Persons with Disabilities

A cooperative society in which all persons with or without disabilities can mutually respect their personalities and individualities should be developed in twenty-first century.

In such cooperative society, persons with disabilities should be respected for their human rights as equal citizens and participants in all aspects of life in accordance with their choice and decision, while they should take their responsibilities.

On the other hand, for the purpose of realizing social integration and participation of persons with disabilities, to eliminate factors that restrict activities and social integration of persons with disabilities, and to support them for maximizing their capacities and achieving their objectives are required.

For the purpose of maintaining and improving power for the future, it is important for the country like Japan whose population is ageing with unprecedented speed to realize a society in which all people are respected for their human rights and are able to enjoy their capacities in full content.

It is not until all citizens including not only administrative organizations but also private organizations and NPOs should initiate the issues positively, sharing value, and recognizing individual roles and responsibilities for a cooperative society in which all people can participate equally could be realized. It is important that understanding and cooperation of each citizen should be promoted, and it is also important that realization of a cooperative society should be progressively promoted by the society as a whole.

Based on such concept, the Basic Programme will establish the fundamental provisions of the measures to be implemented by the government under cooperation and understanding with/of relevant people.

1. Promotion of a barrier-free society

A barrier-free society should be actively promoted in terms of both hardware and software including buildings, transportation, information, institutions, practices and attitudes, so that all persons with or without disabilities can be secured living safely in accordance with their full capacities.

In light of universal design, the town planning and manufacturing friendly for all people should be promoted. In light of realizing a barrier-free society as a whole, initiatives of enterprises and citizens' organizations should be supported.

2. User-oriented support

Based on the principle of independent life in the communities, integrated and appropriate support in all aspects of life should be promoted in accordance with individual needs of persons with disabilities.

To develop system for supporting appropriate utilization of services through consultation in accordance with their choices should be promoted.

In order to secure various and effective services in accordance with users' needs, service providers should be promoted including active utilization of private entities.

In order to construct system for providing services in accordance with needs of each community, cooperation and collaboration with NPOs and organizations of local residents should be strengthened.

3. Development of measures in accordance with diversity of disabilities

To take appropriate measures in accordance with individual disabilities should be promoted.

To take appropriate measures for persons with disabilities whose disabilities are not yet identified the object for the measures should be also promoted.

To utilize ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) adopted in WHO (World Health Organization), in light of better understanding of disabilities and promoting appropriate measures, should be considered.

4. Promotion of comprehensive and effective measures

(1) Close cooperation among administrative organizations

Close cooperation with national and local governments in the area of education, social welfare, medical treatment, employment, work and other relevant areas should be ensured.

(2) Promotion of measures from a broad and perspective point of view

To take perspective and comprehensive measures in order not to be drawn distinction to services according to the community and types of disabilities should be promoted. System for consulting and providing services under appropriate administrative demarcation should be developed.

In light of effective and efficient promotion of measures in the communities, consistency with other plans for the elderly persons and children should be noted.

(3) Reconsideration of system for the measures

Measures and programs should be reconsidered regularly, including restructuring of in-facility services for persons with disabilities.

In light of providing appropriate services to individual person with disabilities, cooperation with other system for the measure for the elderly persons should be also considered.