There has been an attempt to continue the system of family allowance, which once nearly failed.Public money was introduced in 1995, and since January 1996, there has been a phased increase in the premium. The immediate crisis was avoided, but no basic systemic solution of the problem was found.In other words, revision of the system did not change the basis of receiving an annuity after one's parent's death, and the old concept of seeing individuals with disabilities as an accessory of the parents continued.It is disappointing that the concept of the independence of individuals with disabilities was not included.
Concerning medical assistance, as of April 1996, the way that attendants are involved in hospitalization has changed considerably. Although the Ministry of Welfare's notification about this said that special consideration should be given to individuals with intellectual disability, it is necessary to see how this systemic revision is going to be applied and to make sure that individuals with intellectual disabilities will not be negatively affected by the rationalization of hospital management. On the other hand, reduction of medical assistance, including subsidies for medical expenses, is being attempted among local self-governing bodies, but no great change has been seen so far. Further development of the system is very much hoped for.
No major changes have occurred in the basic annuity for disability or the allowance, and, because the consumer price index moved downward in fiscal year 1995, the total amount of the subsidy in the 1996 fiscal year was unchanged, and the only revision made was to loosen the income restriction in order to maintain the subsidy at the same amount. This absence of increase in the amount of the subsidy has been rare in recent years. If it continues, it will not be possible to hope for improvement in daily living through the money from the annuity and benefits. In order to have enough money to support living, a reform that attempts to change the quality of the system for revising the amount is hoped for.
I. International Exchange
International exchanges at the level of individual citizens have become extremely active in recent years, regardless of whether they are individuals, facilities, or organizations. We report here mainly about activities focused on individuals with intellectual disabilities.
1. Participation in the Nordic Conference of People with Intellectual Disabilities
Nordisk Forbund Psykisk Utvecklingshamning (NFPU, the Nordic Union for Persons with Mental Disabilities) is a Nordic organization in which a wide range of individuals and organizations participate that are concerned about issues relating to intellectual disabilities, regardless of whether or not they themselves have disabilities, such as people with disabilities, families, supporters, administrators,educational staff, and researchers. Since its establishment in 1963, it has done surveys and practices on various topics, such as housing,employment, education, and sexuality, and strongly has the character of an action group that aims to change the state of the art. From its earliest years, it has actively promoted the participation of people with intellectual disabilities in the organization, and strongly advocated support based on self-determination. It has held conferences in the Nordic countries in turn, and at those conferences, people with disabilities have played important roles.
The 20th Conference was held in June, 1995, in Marienhamm in Finland. Twenty-five people from Japan participated, including eleven people with disabilities. This is the second time that people with disabilities from Japan have participated, continuing from the previous conference.
2.゛Popcorn "came to Japan from Denmark
゛Popcorn" is said to be the only rock band in the world in which all the members are persons with disabilities. The band was formed as part of the self-advocacy movement in Denmark. It came to Japan for the first time in August, 1995, and was welcomed enthusiastically in nine cities (Ota-ku in Tokyo;Yokohama City in Kanagawa; Sapporo City, Esashi-cho, Date City, and Wakkanai City in Hokkaido;Aomori City in Aomori; Susono City in Shizuoka, and Tochigi City in Tochigi).
In Denmark, as a result of the principle of normalization, people with disabilities have been
