Nothing About us without us.
This is the slogan of the United Nations human rights treaty, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This treaty was created with the participation of persons with disabilities from around the world and was adopted by the United Nations in 2006. Japan ratified it in 2014.
I was informed that a space would be created in Kurashiki City for persons with disabilities and their supporters to openly share their true feelings, so I participated as a person with a disability.
"Expose the Gaps in Disability Welfare" A Meeting for Persons Who Want to Speak Their Minds and Supporters Who Want to Listen
The "Expose the Gaps in Disability Welfare" meeting is organized by Kurashiki Support LABO, which plans events that anyone can enjoy, regardless of whether they have a disability.
Persons with disabilities often live with various conflicts in their work and personal relationships.
This meeting was held to allow persons with disabilities to share their true feelings and for supporters to understand them.
Flow of the Day
The meeting was held on February 22, 2024 (Thursday) from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the multipurpose hall of Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan in the Bikan Historical Area.
It was rainy on the day, but 11 persons with disabilities and 10 supporters attended, making a total of 26 people including staff. Participants included not only holders of Physical Disability Certificates like myself but also those with Child Development Certificates and Mental Disability Welfare Certificates, representing various perspectives.
I have a hearing impairment. When I arrived at the reception, the staff lent me a smartphone with a speech recognition app, so I used it to read the voices of other participants.
Creating a Space that Maintains Psychological Safety
At the beginning of the meeting, the following rules were explained:
- What is discussed here stays here and is not taken outside
- Opinions are welcome, but do not just criticize or complain
- Do not name specific individuals or organizations
- Speak your "thoughts" without holding back
- Be concise so that others can also speak
All of these rules were necessary to ensure that this meeting was a safe space for participants to talk and to maintain "psychological safety."
At the same time, it was acknowledged that the true feelings expressed by participants were not mere gripes or dissatisfaction, but constructive opinions, which created an atmosphere where supporters were eager to listen.
After the explanation of the meeting's flow, both persons with disabilities and supporters formed a circle and began to share their true feelings.
Empathy and Dialogue Among Persons with Disabilities
What particularly impressed me was that none of the participants interrupted others and warmly watched over each other until the end.
They empathized with each other's opinions without denying them and quietly shared their experiences of how they managed similar situations.
Initially silent participants began to express their true feelings, saying things that could only be said in this space, such as "I feel lonely without companions, not just among persons with disabilities" and "the anxiety of not receiving reasonable accommodations."
As someone with a hearing impairment, I have felt lonely when I couldn't hear my hearing colleagues.
Therefore, every voice from the participants felt like hearing the voice of "another me," stirring my heart, and I experienced a strange sensation of healing every time another participant said, "You are not alone."
Dialogue Between Persons with Disabilities and Supporters
I was also impressed that the final question came from a supporter.
Overall, nearly 80% of the dialogue consisted of the genuine voices of persons with disabilities. I believe there were many persons with disabilities who wanted to be understood.
However, the final question from the supporters was, "What would a society with perfectly organized welfare services look like?"
It was a profound question, but it served as an opportunity to share perspectives from both the viewpoints of persons with disabilities and supporters.
It was a cold night with winter rain falling until the end of the meeting, but the venue was filled with warmth, kindness, and enthusiasm.
Conclusion
"Don't make decisions about us without us."
While I have seen this phrase in various places, the opportunity to share experiences in a space where both persons with disabilities and supporters gather was a valuable experience.
I believe that this space should continue to exist for people from various backgrounds, regardless of whether they have a disability, to live in Kurashiki.
Data on the "Expose the Gaps in Disability Welfare" Meeting
| Name | "Expose the Gaps in Disability Welfare" A Meeting for Persons Who Want to Speak Their Minds and Supporters Who Want to Listen |
|---|---|
| Date | February 22, 2024 (Thursday) 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
| Location | 2-23-18 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | 2,000 yen (for welfare supporters, students aspiring to work in welfare, and those interested in welfare work), 500 yen (for persons with disabilities) |
| Website | Kurashiki Support LABO |
