Table of Contents
Use of welfare services and systems for the disabled
Social workers at the Center provide consultation and coordination regarding the use of welfare services and systems for persons with disabilities, under the Act on Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities; specifically, with respect to commuting to school, personal assistance on campus, and private activities off campus (living at home and going out on a daily basis). If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our center for information. In particular, the local government, consultation support offices, and helper offices play a central role in providing support, through disability welfare services for private off-campus activities(living at home and going out on a daily basis). Refer to the overview of support for students and examples of past support, consult with the disability welfare division or other contact points of your home municipality or consultation support offices, and think about the support environment best suited to your own life. I hope you will enjoy a fulfilling college life through appropriate use of the disability welfare services.
Overview of support for students
Examples of past support
(1)Mr. A set up a support system combining various support resources
At Mr. A’s home, the student dormitory, he used “in-home care” for morning preparation, dinner, and bedtime preparation. In addition, a home nursing service was provided twice a week for defecation, and the university paid for the dispatch of helpers from a nearby helper service for urination and meals on campus during lunch breaks.
(Excerpted from the outcome report of Fiscal Year 2017, “Systematization of Support System Construction for Persons with Severe Visiting Disabilities Commuting to Universities, etc.”)
(2)Mr. B used the university study support program for severe home care users
Mr. B is using the “University Study Support Project for Severe Home Care Users”, which was implemented as part of the Community Life Support Promotion Project, in Fiscal Year 2016. Mr. B had lived alone when he was a student at another university, and was already connected with a consultation support office, so the process of accessing the program was relatively smooth. In April, I received a helper for both commuting and personal care on campus. As a result, she is not currently using on-campus personal assistance or commuting support, but is expected to use these services for the next two years while she is in graduate school.
(Excerpted from the outcome report of Fiscal Year 2017, “Systematization of support systems for people with severe visiting disabilities attending universities and other institutions”.)
Q&A on welfare
Q. How can I use the disability welfare services under the Act on Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities?
A. If you wish to use these services, you must be approved for disability support classification. Apply to the disability welfare division of your home municipality to get your classification approved and obtain a beneficiary certificate. It is not necessary to use the card immediately after getting it, so it is recommended to get it beforehand and be prepared for the time when you may need it.
Q. I need various supports to live at home, but I would like to live alone.
A. “In-home care (home help)” and “heavy-duty home care” are available under the Act on Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities. You can receive physical assistance, such as bathing, toileting, and eating at home, as well as housekeeping assistance, such as cooking and laundry services, if needed.
Q. I have a disability and am worried about living alone. I don’t have any family living nearby.
A. It is possible to use “independent living assistance” or “community settlement support” under the Act on Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities. “Independent living support” is a service to help understand the relevant issues, provide necessary information, and liaise and coordinate with related organizations, through regular home visits and as-needed support. The “support for settling in the community” is a service for those who have moved from living with their families to living alone, or for those who are anxious about living in the community. In order to assist in continued living in the community, this service includes securing a constant contact system and making emergency visits in case of emergencies caused by the disability.
If you would like to use this service, please consult with your local government office. It may be reassuring to have someone who can support you in case something happens.
Q. I’m worried about going out by myself.
A. There are relevant services available under the Act on Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities. If you are a visually impaired student, you can use the “Accompanying Aid”, and if you are a mobility-impaired student, you can use the “Mobility Support” to go out with a helper. In addition, if you have a hearing impairment or visual impairment, and need information support when you are out and about, you can use the “communication support“.
Q. I would like to purchase welfare equipment to make my life and studies easier, but it is too expensive.
A. If you use the “benefit for daily living equipment” service under the Act on Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities, you may be able to purchase the equipment at 10% of cost. Check with your local government to see if the welfare equipment you are considering is covered by this service.
Q. What types of disabilities are eligible for the disability pension?
A. Not only those with physical disabilities, but also those with developmental disabilities, or mental disabilities such as epilepsy and depression, are eligible to receive the benefits. If you have any questions about the application process, please feel free to contact our center.
Q. I’m not sure if I will be able to find a job because of my disability.
A. First of all, you should consult with the Employment Section or Career Support in our center. We also offer career seminars and job preparation courses for students with disabilities.
After consulting with the faculty member in charge, you may want to consider using “employment transition support” under the Act on Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities, to help you find a job and acquire the skills necessary for working adults. Note, however, that this service is available only in the final year of the program.
Q. I heard that the university study support program for heavy-duty home care users began in Fiscal Year 2018.
This system allows students to receive assistance with commuting to school and personal care on campus. For example, if you are planning to commute to school from your home, you may be able to receive support for your commute. Please consult with your local government office.