[MEXT] A Study Group Formed on Providing Support for Students with Disabilities

On May 18, 2023, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) held the Study Group’s first meeting on providing support for students with disabilities at school.

This came about because the Act Partially Amending the Act to Eliminate Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities will come into force in April 2024, making it a legal obligation for all universities, including public schools, to provide reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities. Because there is an urgent need to further improve the support system for students with disabilities due to their increased number in recent years, the study group was set up to examine how to support them at higher educational levels.

At the study group’s first meeting, the following issues were proposed for discussion:

1. Basic approaches to supporting students with disabilities:
 a. Matters relating to the understanding of "unfair and discriminatory treatment"
 b. How universities and other institutions should view reasonable accommodation.
 c. Matters related to the responsibilities of universities and others involved in the provision of reasonable accommodation (compliance) and the importance of constructive dialogue

2. Matters related to the establishment of a system within schools and the provision of reasonable accommodation:
 a. Matters relating to the establishment of support systems and their dissemination within universities and others
 b. Issues related to the provision of reasonable accommodation
 c. Matters relating to the use of ICT equipment in the provision of reasonable accommodation
 d. Matters relating to the deployment and development of support personnel within universities and others

3. Matters relating to conflict prevention and resolution:
 a. Matters relating to schemes for the prevention and resolution of disputes
 b. Matters relating to the prevention and resolution of disputes concerning the provision of reasonable accommodation in entrance examinations

4. Matters related to cooperation between universities and community/social resources:
 a. Matters relating to cooperation between universities and community/social resources in support of students with disabilities
 b. Matters relating to the use of community support networks for students with disabilities
 c. Matters relating to the further use of the framework of the University Collaboration Platform

5. Matters related to employment support for students with disabilities:
 a. Matters related to employment support for students with disabilities
 b. Matters relating to cooperation between student support departments within the university
 c. Matters relating to cooperation with external support organizations

The study group will run from April 21, 2023 to March 31, 2024.

For more information, visit the website below:
https://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/shingi/chousa/koutou/123/index.html

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