[MHLW] Report of the Study Group on Strengthening Cooperation between Employment and Welfare Measures for Persons with Disabilities Published

On June 8th, 2021, the MHLW published the report of the "Study Group on Strengthening Cooperation between Employment and Welfare Measures for Persons with Disabilities". The study group was established in November 2020 to discuss specific measures to further strengthen cooperation between employment and welfare initiatives, based on the interim report compiled by the "Project Team for Strengthening Employment and Welfare Cooperation for Persons with Disabilities" under the auspices of the MHLW in September 2020. The report consists of three working groups: the Working Group on the Evaluation of the Working Capacity of Persons with Disabilities (WG 1), the Working Group on the Development and Securing of Human Resources to Support the Employment of Persons with Disabilities (WG 2), and the Working Group on the Employment Support System for Persons with Disabilities (WG 3).

The main points of the report are as follows. 

1. Basic concept of employment support for persons with disabilities

Aiming at "a society in which people with and without disabilities work together", all parties concerned, including people with disabilities, companies, and local employment support organizations, etc., should make maximum efforts to realize and improve the quality of employment for persons with disabilities based on their needs.

2. Specific directions to strengthen cooperation between employment and welfare measures

(1) Development of the systems of assessment (needs, abilities, and aptitude of persons with disabilities) in both welfare and employment services. A common framework for assessment in both fields is expected to be developed in the near future.

(2) Development of human resources in both fields to support the employment of people with disabilities.

  • Establishment of basic and advanced training across the fields of employment and welfare.
  • Securing professional human resources by raising social awareness and improving their social and economic status through particular qualifications, etc.

(3) Review of the current support system in both fields for the employment of people with disabilities.

  • Providing support enabling people with disabilities to continue in employment at the appropriate times, such as when starting to work in a new place, being temporarily unwell, or experiencing physical difficulties in continuing to work due to ageing, etc.
  • Centers for Employment and Daily Life Support for Persons with Disabilities will function as regional support centers to strengthen regional networks.
  • The ideal role and nature of the Employment Continuation Support Type A should be discussed and clarified.

For more information, please visit the following website (Japanese only).

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_14599.html

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