In Japan, there are rehabilitation centres run by national and regional health authorities, as well as public welfare organisations. One such centre is the National Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled which has a rehabilitation hospital, a rehabilitation training centre and a research institute with departments specialising in all areas of rehabilitation. The centre gives training to help people with disabilities live full, independent lives. They receive instruction in the skills necessary for everyday life such as housework or driving, and receive occupational training in fields ranging form computing to cleaning or textiles, to suit their abilities. The hospital specialises in physical examinations, surgery and other medical treatment aimed at disabled persons.
Teams headed by doctors work together to help patients with functional disabilities.
These teams use a wide range of treatments and therapies, including physical therapy and sports. In addition, people with auditory or visual impairment receive training in language and visual adaptation. Adapted from Pacific Friend, June 1999, Vol. The Institute has a unique interdisciplinary approach, conducting research into medicine, rehabilitation engineering, sociology and psychology. New technologies have been developed for beds, wheelchairs and other equipment that can play an important role in the welfare of people with disabilities.