#Japan #Nagano #Kintone #Cybozu #Employment Support

Cybozu’s Social Design Lab Initiates Free App Support for Employment Continuation Facilities

Cybozu Inc.'s Social Design Lab (referred to as Sodelab) has recently taken a significant step towards supporting employment continuation facilities by launching free Kintone applications. This initiative is a direct response to their survey published in January 2026 that focused on the shortage of IT talent and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

In employment support facilities, a multitude of administrative tasks arise, including maintaining lists of users and staff, tracking individual support progress, creating personalized support plans, and managing wages and working hours. The approaches to managing these tasks vary widely among facilities, ranging from those using paper and Excel to those with some level of technological integration. By utilizing Kintone, facilities can centralize information and promote the interconnectivity of various data points. The incorporation of these applications allows for improved understanding of clients’ characteristics and situations, streamlining operations within the facilities and enhancing day-to-day management.

Immediate and Accessible Application

The structure of each application encourages instant use, enabling facilities to download and implement them immediately. The utilization of IT tools aims not only to reduce administrative burdens on staff but also to increase time spent directly engaging with clients while decreasing overtime hours.

For those who might find the implementation of IT tools intimidating, Sodelab assures support throughout the introduction and operation phases, thereby providing peace of mind. The first ten facilities to express interest will receive priority assistance.

Supporting Employment Opportunities

The background for this initiative indicates a persistent limitation in employment options for individuals with disabilities or those facing employment challenges. According to data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the achievement rate of the statutory employment rate for individuals with disabilities in private companies has stagnated at about 50%, with employment rates remaining flat between 40% to 60% for over a decade.

However, there are positive signs emerging from businesses. In a survey conducted by Sodelab last year, the feeling of a shortage of IT and digital talent reached 74%, while a proactive interest to consider hiring individuals with disabilities possessing IT skills stood at 71.4%. This shift points to a re-evaluation of individuals with disabilities as valuable contributors to business growth.

To continually expand the employment options available for those with disabilities, Sodelab has committed to ongoing experiments that support the learning of IT skills. The overwhelming administrative burdens on staff in employment support settings often prevent them from dedicating adequate time to face-to-face assistance, prompting the need to alleviate these burdens through the provision of applications designed to enhance operational efficiency.

Easy to Use App Packs

The applications, grouped into convenient packs, cover essential operations needed within employment support facilities. The development of these applications has involved actual participants from employment continuation support B-Type, showcasing how those who receive support can create tools that sustain the support systems.

This approach not only encourages the adoption of IT skills but also emphasizes the importance of fostering support systems where individuals contribute back to the community.

Key Features

• - Assessment Sheet: Easily view basic information, living conditions, and employment challenges for each user.
• - Wage and Working Hour Input: Automatically generate graphs for weekly and monthly wages and working hours.
• - Centralized Management: Relate and manage all information from staff training to workflows with external support coordinators seamlessly.

The commitment to making the tools user-friendly and encouraging participation from various employment support facilities has culminated in offerings that prioritize accessibility. This initiative aims to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and those who encounter barriers to employment.

Encouraging Engagement

Sodelab’s team, which has vast experience in supporting the IT needs of employment support settings, is ready to help with initial trials, enabling facilities to take the first steps towards digital transformation. Interested organizations are invited to inquire more about these offerings. The first ten facilities to contact Sodelab will be prioritized, so early engagement is encouraged.

About Re.co.

One of the featured collaborative facilities, Multi-function Business College Re.co., located in Nagano Prefecture, stands out as a learning and working space dedicated to individuals with disabilities. Their mission focuses on creating a society where everyone is able to work in a manner true to themselves while living securely within the community. They emphasize training efforts that leverage IT skills, thereby broadening employment opportunities for their members.

About Cybozu’s Social Design Lab

Sodelab operates with the vision of creating a society rich in teamwork, addressing various societal issues with a cooperative spirit. From disaster support to local revitalization and the prevention of abuse, their goal is to implement models that can effectively solve diverse social challenges.

For further details regarding this initiative, please reach out to Cybozu's Social Design Lab representatives Nakamura, Imai, Sakunai, or Iwamoto through their official contact form.