International Activities

According to the World Health Organization, approximately one billion people (15% of the world population) in the world live with disabilities and 80% of them are living in developing countries.
At the time of drafting the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), we proposed a human right article for “Independent Living”, which was adopted as CRPD “Article 19: Living independently and being included in the community”. In line with the Independent Living concept, we support people with disabilities in developing countries to set up independent living centers in their countries. As of today, independent living centers in 14 countries have been established and are working to make better lives for people with disabilities. Article 19 which we supported will be changing the lives of people with disabilities in developing countries.

We are also promoting the national implementation of Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) with other NGOs beyond our sector.

We, as an organization for and by people with disabilities, would like to develop strong ties with foreign disabled peoples’ organizations and support activities for people with disabilities in other developing countries.

Since 2002, DPI-Japan has provided training programs such as a movement to promote independent living, capacity development of leaders with disabilities, peer counseling and policies on disabilities, to people with disabilities in Africa every year. As of today, more than 140 Africans with disabilities and government officials have come to Japan. After returning to each country, they have been active in improving people with disabilities as leaders of disability movements.
In 2016, we started a 3-year project, to strengthen functions of independent living centers through transportation services and restrictions of houses in South Africa, financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Trainees from Zimbabwe experienced directly an accessible train.

      
Time table of a Peer counseling program   　　　Lecture

Session with ex-trainees in South Africa 　　　Van with lift exported from Japan

With the 25th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act in 2015 as a start, American and Japanese disabled peoples’ organizations promote vigorous exchanges. In 2017, we organized the Global Independent Living Summit and established the World Independent Living Network (WIN) in Washington D.C., in the United States of America.

We called for donations and provided assistance devices such as white canes and wheelchairs to people with disabilities in Leyte Island, an Island of the Philippines affected by natural disasters.

Visiting evacuation sites　　　　　　　　　　Provided wheelchairs to victims with disabilities

Tacloban city in Leyte Island, the Philippines after hit by Yolanda typhoon

Recent activities, related news

TICAD Pre-event “DELIBERATION OF SDGs THROUGH DISABILITY LENS – TOWARDS FURTHER PROMOTION OF MAINSTREAMING OF DISABILITY AND EMPOWERMENT” 2025.04.16 - On Saturday, April 19, 2025, a seminar on Disability and Development in Africa will be held. This event will discuss the importance of empowerment for persons with disabilities, Japan's projects in the African region, and the role of persons with disabilities in achieving the SDGs. Date and Time: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Japan Time) Format: Hybrid (Online participation via Zoom or In-person participation) *Zoom links will be sent to those registered for online participation on April 18. Venue (for in-person participation): Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) 14th Floor, Fukoku Seimei Building, 2-2-2 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Information Accessibility (currently being arranged): Simultaneous interpretation in English and… read more

Our Rights to Life during the Covid-19
– Emergency Statement from Persons with Disabilities at Risk-
April 20, 2020 2020.04.22 - World　Independent　Living　Center　Network（WIN） 　We are global network of Independent Living Centers that support people with disabilities to live in the community regardless of the severity of their disabilities. This network was established in July 2017 at the Global IL Summit in Washington, DC and since, people with disabilities across borders are coming together to carry out activities and missions. With CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) is raging around the world, we are facing alarming crisis that people with disabilities are left behind and unable to receive crucial support that they need. UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, adopted 2007) prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and reaffirms that all persons… read more

Americans with Disabilities Act tour 2017 2017.09.27 - From July 22nd to 29th 2017, the Japan Council of Independent Living organized a tour to directly experience the disability movement in the U.S. and meet front runners who have been working for the rights of persons with disabilities from all over the world. 89 people, including 40 youth members (under 40 years-old), joined the tour, called "American with Disability Act tour (ADA tour)"from Japan. Besides our participation, leaders with disabilities from over 20 countries got together in Washington D.C., U.S.A. Four staff members from DPI-Japan　(Satoshi Sato, Keiichiro Tamaru, Seiichiro Shirai, Daisuke Kasayanagi) joined a tour and attended the Global Independent Living Summit and the Annual Conference of the National… read more

Relief Activity for the People with Disabilities affected by Typhoon Yolanda – Provision of the Assistive Devices in Tacloban City- 2014.08.08 - Based on the needs study, which was conducted in February in Tacloban City, Leyte, Mr. Abner Manlapaz, President of Manila Independent Living Center, had made the necessary assistive devices at the local wheelchair factory, and provide them to the affected persons with disabilities on June 28th. This support project is being conducted by DPI Japan in collaboration with the Yumekaze fund. Until the day the provision was made available, Mr. Abner had cooperated with the local organizations to make the activities sustainable in the area. As a result, the white canes were provided by the organization of persons with disabilities in the Philippine, Akapinoi foundation. The coordination with the recipients… read more

Representatives of DPI member organiz ations in North-East Asia Sub-Region 2014.07.09 - Between June 12, 2014 －June 15, 2014, Representatives of DPI member organizations in North-East Asia Sub-Region got together in Shizuoka, Japan. Participants from Korea, China, Mongolia and Japan reported the current situation, challenges of persons with disabilities in each country and future plan of each organization. At the end of the meeting, the Shizuoka Declaration was adopted and we reassured the union of persons with disabilities in Northeast Asia and decided to have a next meeting in China in 2016. Please refer to the Report. Picture1:Representatives of 4 countries gathered Picture2:Courtesy Vsit to Deputy Governor Shizuoka Declaration(WORD、PDF) Meeting Report(WORD、PDF) read more