II. - 6.Self-Help Groups
In order to promote activities organized by self-help groups, we have subsidized projects of counseling and guidance to people with disabilities since 1995. The main task of this project is to educate leaders of self-help groups who provide counseling and guidance to persons with disabilities.
Also since 1996, we have subsidized projects to support persons with disabilities' daily life in community. One of the important projects is named "peer-counseling" in which person with disabilities become counselors to support other person with disabilities. Also since 1996, we have subsidized projects to support persons with disabilities' daily life in community. One of the important projects is named "peer-counseling" in which person with disabilities become counselors to support other person with disabilities.
In order to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, the government has established a human rights help-line in each prefecture since 1998.
In 1996, we established a fund for the elderly and persons with disabilities to improve persons with disabilities' well-being, and in 1998 to support persons with disabilities' sports activities. Based on such funds we have subsidized self-help groups (including non-governmental organizations) which conduct a variety of such activities.
