FOREWORD

The 16th World Congress of Rehabilitation International was held in Tokyo from 5th to 9th September 1988.In all of the sixty years intervening between this and the 1st World Congress - at Geneva,Switzerland in 1929 - this is the first time that the World Congress has been held in Asia. Many Asian and Pacific countries had long wished for this to occur,and finally our hopes have been realized.Therefore,"the promotion of disability prevention and rehabilitation of disability in Asian and other developing countries" was a particularly relevant theme throughout the 16th World Congress. Consequently,we were greatly pleased that we could accordingly be hosts to the largest number of participants from developing countries,including those from Asia and the Pacific countries. This gave us the greatest pleasure.

Thus,the 16th World Congress of Rehabilitation International was successfully concluded.Over 2,800 participants attended,from 93 countries (including regions). We have been privileged to have the opportunity of writing a new page in the annals of rehabilitation - one that,we trust,will shine forth proudly from this time on.

We are deeply grateful to the President of Rehabilitation International,the Secretary General,and all those people concerned with organization from each country,including all the members of the Japanese Organizing Committee,for their great efforts.

Now we are at the stage of summarizing the Congress and publishing the Proceedings. We have edited all the lectures and papers presented at the Plenary and Sectoral sessions,outlines of the Film Festival,Arts & Performance and the Facility Visits.We have also recorded something of the preparations of each part of the Organizing Committee,and shown photographs of all parts of the Congress and activities.

We trust these Proceedings will provide participants with details of sessions they were not able to attend,as well as proving a valuable rememberance of their attendance.For those unfortunately not able to attend,they will find these Proceedings will provide not only a thoughtful,academic stimulus,but also an overall atmosphere of the Congress as a whole.

In any case,we are sure that you will continue to discuss relevant and vital issues concerning disabled people's rehabilitation,as well as seeking to advance their implementation.We would be delighted if these Proceedings also are a helpful part of that process.

Finally,we would like to express our particular gratitude to the Japanese Government,the Tokyo Metropolitan Government,and many other organizations too numerous to mention,for their great guidance and assistance;our grateful thanks also go to the Japan Motorcycle Racing Organization and other organizations for their considerable financial support,and other organizations such as the Japan Association for Employment of the Disabled,the Japanese National Council of Social Welfare and the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of the Disabled for their great practical support.

Hirokuni Dazai
President
The 16th World Congress of Rehabilitation International