VR is an initiative to create opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in society, achieve self-realization, and become economically independent.

Specifically...

Target：VR is for all persons who may need assistance for physical, intellectual, or mental reasons, not only those with a legal disability certificate.

Methods：In addition to vocational services such as vocational counseling, evaluation, training, guidance, and job placement, VR also includes welfare services necessary to obtain and maintain a working life.

Goal：The goals of VR include all production activities carried out for income-earning purposes, such as employment at companies and government offices, self-employment, and welfare work.

“The Act for the Promotion of Employment of Persons with Disabilities” in Japan defines VR as “Providing vocational guidance, vocational training, job placement and other measures prescribed in this Act to persons with disabilities, so that they may live independently in their vocational lives.” (Article 2-6)

The international definition of VR is as follows:
“For the purposes of this Convention, each Member shall consider the purpose of vocational rehabilitation as being to enable a disabled person to secure, retain and advance in suitable employment and thereby to further such person’s integration or reintegration into society.” (Article 1-2, Convention 159: Convention Concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment [Disabled Persons])

1.Our Mission

Vocational rehabilitation (VR) represents an effort to create opportunities for social participation, self-realization, and financial independence through vocations for those who find it difficult to obtain or maintain occupations because of various disabilities. VR includes vocational services such as vocational counseling, evaluation, development, guidance, and job placement, human support in the workplace, and a wide range of services to realize and maintain vocational life. VR is a comprehensive approach that includes life support. The purpose of the Japan Society of Vocational Rehabilitation is to contribute to the advancement and development of VR for persons with disabilities in Japan through scientific research and practical activities related to VR.

2.Organization

Chairman Masaya Asahi (Saitama Prefectural University)
711 regular members, 18 supporting members (as of July 31, 2014)
The Japan Society for Vocational Rehabilitation belongs to the Council of Social Welfare Registration of the Science Council of Japan and participates in research activities of the Science Council of Japan with related academic societies. It is the only nationwide conference in the field.

3.History

In 1971, the predecessor of the Japan Society for Vocational Rehabilitation, the Japan Society for the Rehabilitation of Vocations for Persons with Disabilities, was formed. This society was reorganized into the Japan Society of Vocational Rehabilitation in 1990.

4.Activities

Annual conferences are held in various places once a year. The entire country is divided into eight blocks, and block study groups take advantage of the characteristics of each region. We publish the Communication of Japan Society of Vocational Rehabilitation for the purpose of providing information on occupational rehabilitation. We also offer a VR training course, propose VR policies, and implement international cooperation activities. Recent research themes (examples) include the practice of job coaching in assisted employment, employment assistance for persons with mental illness, the occupational evaluation of higher brain dysfunction, work activities, and employment assistance at social employment centers and workshops. We cover a wide range of topics, including education, training, and rehabilitation staff qualifications, and we collect and provide VR information using IT.

5.Members

Anyone interested in VR can join regardless of their specialty, affiliation, or occupation.
Regular members
・ Attend and make presentations at the annual conference.
・ Distribute the Communication of Japan Society of Vocational Rehabilitation as an information medium.
・ Able to submit to the professional journal, Japanese Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, which is published annually, and receive a free subscription.
・ Participate in research and practice activities in eight blocks nationwide.
・ Introduce and distribute related materials and information.
The annual membership fee is 7,000 yen for regular members (individuals) and 20,000 yen for supporting members (individuals/groups).

6.Secretariat

2-14 Miyacho , Nasushiobara city , Tochigi 325-0055 , Japan
Nonprofit organization Nasu Frontier
Japan Association of Vocational Rehabilitation, Secretariat
E-mail: shokuriha_jimukyoku@vocreha.org

» Click here to apply for membership