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SMS and Lean on Me Team Up to Empower Disability Welfare

In a significant stride towards enhancing the quality of disability welfare services, SMS Co., Ltd. has announced a collaboration with Lean on Me, a company specializing in e-learning for the disability welfare sector. Starting in February 2026, this partnership will introduce two new online training programs: Kabenashi Online Training powered by Special Learning and Kabenashi Training Room powered by Special Learning for Business.

The aim of this collaboration is to leverage SMS’s Kabenashi Cloud and Kabenashi Job Navigation networks to broaden the availability of essential training to disability welfare providers and companies that require it. The focus is to facilitate deeper understanding of disabilities and alleviate various challenges arising from lack of awareness.

The Social Context Behind the Partnership

Recent shifts in societal structure have led to an increase in the population of individuals with disabilities, which in turn has heightened the demand for disability welfare service providers. However, amidst this growing need, there is a troubling shortage of personnel within these service providers. Furthermore, busy professionals within the disability welfare sector find it increasingly challenging to secure the resources necessary for effective skills development and quality enhancement of service delivery.

Additionally, businesses committed to employing individuals with disabilities are facing hurdles. With the recent increase in statutory employment rates, the number of employed individuals with disabilities has reached an all-time high. Yet challenges such as ensuring retention and the understanding of disability remain prevalent.

As a result, there is an emergent need for both disability welfare service providers and businesses to establish systems for training and knowledge acquisition to work alongside individuals with disabilities effectively.

Details of the Partnership

Significance of the Collaboration

Under the brand Kabenashi, SMS aims to eliminate the social barriers present within the disability welfare landscape. Meanwhile, Lean on Me possesses extensive proficiency in creating specialized e-learning programs centered around the challenges inherent in disability welfare.

This partnership will allow for the provision of high-quality training programs that will enhance the capabilities of workers in the disability welfare sector and those involved in employing individuals with disabilities. The new online training programs will be offered through contracts with Lean on Me, allowing flexibility in terms of location and timing, enabling professionals to receive training at their convenience.

Value Added by the Partnership

The collaboration will deliver two main types of programs tailored to different audiences:

1. Kabenashi Online Training powered by Special Learning: This program will provide disability welfare service providers access to a wealth of knowledge through over 2000 video lectures covering foundational knowledge about intellectual, mental, and developmental disabilities, as well as topics like prevention of abuse and rights protection. This approach aims to standardize skills among workers and alleviate the burden of workforce development.

2. Kabenashi Training Room powered by Special Learning for Business: This program will be directed towards enterprises employing individuals with disabilities. By fostering understanding of disability characteristics, reasonable accommodations, and troubleshooting through case studies, this initiative aims to ease the concerns of departments that receive employees with disabilities and promote their retention and success within the workplace.

Through this partnership, SMS and Lean on Me are committed to enhancing the understanding of both disability welfare workers and company representatives, striving to improve the surrounding environment of individuals with disabilities and ultimately contributing to their quality of life.

Comments from Business Leaders

Yuta Nakagawa, the Director of the Disability Welfare Support Department at SMS, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are delighted to jointly offer a new online training program under the Kabenashi brand in collaboration with Lean on Me, known for its specialized training content. This initiative aligns with our continuous pursuit of improving efficiency at disability welfare service sites, thereby fostering a supportive environment for better management.”

On the other hand, Shunsuke Shimura, CEO of Lean on Me, noted, “The challenges faced by individuals with disabilities often stem from societal barriers rather than individual characteristics. Therefore, fostering a common language through shared learning is essential to mitigate these barriers. Our partnership signifies a substantial advancement in making essential knowledge accessible without interrupting the workflow of organizations.”

As these two companies unite their services, they aim to ensure that learning becomes a standard part of daily practices in even the busiest settings, leading to the ultimate improvement in quality of life for those with disabilities.