P E A C E
Welcome to
LIFE HAVEN INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER!
The way disability is viewed has changed. Independent Living Philosophy presents disability in the more progressive social perspective. The advocacy is rights based.
The realization of a barrier-free society goes beyond physical barriers.
Independent Living means that we demand the same choices and control in our everyday lives that our non-disabled brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends take for granted. We want to grow up in our families, go to the neighborhood school, use the same bus as our neighbors, work in jobs that are in line with our education and interests, and start families of our own.
Message from Mr. Shoji Nakanishi
(Human Care Association, Tokyo, Japan)
message text below:
Dear all,
I am Shoji Nakanishi, director of Relief Headquarters for Persons with Disabilities of Tohoku-Kanto Great Earthquake.
On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to express my appreciation to your consideration on the disaster happened in Japan in March 11.
After the earthquake, we immediately set up Relief Headquarters. We are now providing personal assistance service and medical supplies in disaster area. We are also conducting survey on the situation of persons with disabilities.
We also secured temporary accommodation in Tokyo for disaster victims. 34 persons with disabilities moved to the accommodation and receive meals and personal assistance service.
All independent living centers in Japan contribute materials and personnel. I also sincerely appreciate that we are receiving many supports and encouragements from all over the world.
Sadly, we lost a member of independent living center by tunami. He could not evacuate from tunami because he did not receive necessary support from government to fulfill his need of 24 hour personal assistance. When tunami was approaching to his house, he did not have personal assistant for evacuation. His sister rushed to his house for rescue, but Tunami washed them away, and only his sister could survive.
Staffs of independent living center rescued a deaf-blind woman who was left at her house. Many persons with disabilities had damage from the disaster. Some report says more than half of total victims are elderly people and persons with disabilities.
We decide, we continue this relief activity more than two years from now. I sincerely ask your support to our activity.
Thank you very much!
“If you think we are nuisances on the road,
ADVOCATE WITH US!”
