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The Government Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities

- A Seven-Year Normalization Strategy -

I. Purpose

To develop an Action Plan for high priority policies of the New Long-term Program for Government Measures for Persons with Disabilities - Towards a Society for All -(FY1993-FY2002)

II. Basic Concept

Based on the philosophy of rehabilitation (which aims at fulfilling human rights at all stages of the life cycle) and normalization, which aims to create a society in which persons with disabilities are equal to those without disabilities with respect to daily life and activities, the Japanese Government has drawn up and is currently promoting the New Long-Term Program for Government Measures for Persons with Disabilities. Based on the above philosophy, policies are given priority in the following seven areas:

1. Living in Communities as Ordinary Citizens
2. Promoting the Independence of Persons with Disabilities
3. Promoting a Barrier-free Society
4. Targeting the Quality of Life (QOL)
5. Assuring Safety Livelihoods
6. Removing Psychological Barriers
7. Promoting International Cooperation and Exchanges

III. Period

The Action Plan will run over a period of seven years, from FY1996-FY2002.

IV. Implementation

(1) The progress of implementation will be monitored at regular intervals. Revisions will be made where necessary in light of changed socioeconomic circumstances, amendments to related systems or legislation, inconsideration of the progress of Municipal Plans for Persons with Disabilities and other relevant conditions.

(2) Since policies for persons with disabilities span a wide range of fields, closer coordination is required among participating government bodies to ensure efficient and effective implementation.

(3) Surveys of persons with disabilities, to provide the basis for proper policy implementation, will be coordinated carefully with the relevant bodies to ensure due consideration to privacy.

V. Support for Local Government

(1) Policies for persons with disabilities undertaken independently by local government bodies, in line with the Action Plan but tailored to local conditions, will receive full support.

This applies particularly to independent projects undertaken by local governments, such as development of facilities designed to enhance social participation of persons with disabilities or considering the needs of persons with disabilities in town planning, and training for health and welfare personnel.

(2) Municipal Plans for Persons with Disabilities and the Local Council for the Promotion of Measures for Persons with Disabilities will be set up to ensure that the views of persons with disabilities and others are reflected in the implementation of policies at the municipal level while at the same time respecting the independence and role of local governments. The Council will include persons with disabilities and persons working in the field of welfare services.

(3) Assistance will be provided with planning techniques and in other areas, in order to ensure that the Action Plan is faithfully reflected in the Prefectural and Municipal Plans for Persons with Disabilities, and that policies are promoted in a planned manner. Schemes such as wide-area planning across many municipalities will be considered as required.

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The Government Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities
— A SEVEN-YEAR NORMALIZATION STRATEGY —
Tentative Edition in English

Translated by
the Secretariat of the Headquarter
for Promoting the Welfare of Disabled Persons,
Prime Minister's Office

6-1, Nagatacho 1-chome,
Chiyoda-ku, TOKYO, 100
JAPAN