(3) The 4th Yuu-ai Pic (Friendship-pic) Meeting, a national sports meet of people with intellectual disabilities, was planned for November 18-19, but it had to be canceled because of the Great Hanshin Earthquake.
(4) Implementation and management of the Correspondence Courses
(a) The 7th term of the Training Program for Social Welfare Specialists (for the maximum capacity of 300 persons, there were 966 applicants).
(b) The 25th correspondence course of development of care and training personnel working for facilities for mental retardation: 723 participants.
(5) Activity about measures for the national budget
The Association was active with regard to measures related to the national budget for the administration for people with disabilities, making a 'Plan for People with Disabilities - A Seven Years' Strategy to Achieve Normalization' in the end of December. The Association also cooperated with related organizations.
(6) International exchanges
The Association organized a tour group to observe social services for people with disabilities in Germany and Italy from November 14-25. There were 19 participants.
(7) Publications and publicity
The bulletin, 'Advocacy News,' the leading journal "AIGO' --which, from the April issue, changed from AS to B5 size, and other related books were published. Simultaneously, three new books were edited for publication in 1996.
(8) Research
A study of the state of the art of various kinds of facilities, a study of a new vision of residential rehabilitation facilities, and a study of mental and physical disabilities, sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Welfare
(9) Commendation and Awards
Individuals who have benefited the field were commended through selection of meritorious individuals for prizes such as the "AIGO Welfare Award'. A public welfare program for personnel of member facilities, such as Group Benefit and Medical Insurance, was implemented and managed.
(10) Activities relating to the Great Hanshin Earthquake
The Earthquake happened at 5:46 a.m. on January 17,1995; it was a destructive inland earthquake, approximately 7 in magnitude on the Richter scale.
Contributions of 66,044,044 yen were raised from members of the Association and other concerned persons. Records and reports of the disaster were published, such as 'Since That Time -- Care Records of the Great Hanshin Earthquake,' by the Hyogo Prefecture Association for the Care and Training, 'The Earthquake and the Social Welfare Association,' by the Social Welfare Restoration Head Office of the Hyogo Prefecture Social Welfare Association, and so on. The Association also established a Special Committee for Measures Against Disasters.
(C) Japan Teachers' Association for the Mentally Retarded
(1) The 34th National Meeting of the Association (Miyagi meeting)
Theme: 'Education that promotes flourishing minds and the ability to live actively"
Date: October 18-20,1995
Place: Sendai City Hall, and kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high schools, and schools for children with disabilities in Sendal City.
