Exploring Diverse Support Strategies: Seisa University Collaboration in Kanagawa

On December 11, Pal System Kanagawa, located in Yokohama, held a case study meeting at their delivery hub in the Miyamae Center, featuring a lecturer from Seisa University, Tetsuo Nishimura, President of the International Academy. This initiative is part of a comprehensive collaboration agreement aimed at promoting employment for individuals with disabilities through tailored support strategies.

Monthly Case Study Meetings

These case study meetings involve employment support staff from both the Miyamae Center and the Yokohama North Center and occur monthly. In December, they welcomed Professor Masao Hirakawa, dedicated to inclusive science at Seisa University, to discuss insights from a recent tour of the Sugitto Center, a logistics facility in Saitama Prefecture. Hirakawa provided tailored advice based on both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in welfare practices, addressing the participants’ challenges in real-time scenarios.

During this facility tour, 13 employees with disabilities visited the logistics site, an experience that differed from their regular workplace setup. Many participants arrived significantly earlier than the scheduled time, driven by anxiety about being late, and some felt uneasy when their support staff were not present at the meeting spot.

Professor Hirakawa explained how feelings of apprehension can lead individuals to arrive too early, resulting in them feeling like they waited longer than necessary. He emphasized the importance of teaching these individuals skills for seeking help, such as making phone calls when in distress, to mitigate panic responses.

Navigating Communication Protocols

On the bus ride to the site, there were numerous instances where support staff used cell phones for urgent communications, highlighting a typical etiquette challenge as phone use during transport is often frowned upon. Some employees expressed frustration over this, leading Hirakawa to stress the need for clear communication of rules to manage expectations effectively. He mentioned that when individuals lack an understanding of established guidelines, it can heighten their feelings of uncertainty, thus underlining the necessity for transparent explanations from support staff.

During the site visit, some participants became overly enthusiastic, asking numerous questions. To facilitate a positive learning environment, suggestions included establishing limits on the number of questions each person could ask and ensuring that the participants understood these guidelines.

Hirakawa underscored the significance of providing opportunities for decision-making and allowing them to navigate their own choices, even if those choices aren’t always validated. He encouraged support staff to continually reinforce such learning experiences through instant feedback tailored to individual needs, promoting clarity in communication and understanding.

Advancing Support Staff Expertise

In August 2025, Pal System Kanagawa and Seisa University formalized a comprehensive collaboration agreement aimed at enhancing mental health support for those involved in the care of employees with disabilities. This partnership aims to provide educational resources, consultations, and training opportunities through Seisa University, leveraging its expertise in special needs education.

The collaborators intend to foster an environment that respects diversity and acknowledges the unique learning needs of individual employees. They have hosted various training sessions, including anger management workshops, and plan to introduce personalized meetings with qualified employment support staff in the future.

Pal System Kanagawa is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their abilities, can feel safe and supported. As they prepare for the International Year of Cooperatives in 2025, their ambition is to expand collaborations with diverse local organizations, nurturing a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

For more information about the collaboration agreement, visit Pal System News.