Disabled lose local support due to Fukushima nuclear disaster

[yuiyoshida]

A woman with a psychiatric disability, center, is seen at her job at a cafe in Nihonmatsu, Fukushima Prefecture. Her condition worsened during her stay in an evacuation center following the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant meltdowns. (Mainichi)


FUKUSHIMA -- Thirteen out of 28 support centers for the disabled in 10 municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture's Soso district -- within 30 kilometers from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant -- have either suspended service or closed down, the Mainichi Shimbun has learned.

The decrease in the number of these welfare service providers has imposed a burden on people with disabilities and their families, who have found themselves suddenly without local support systems.

The Mainichi Shimbun recently asked 19 disability employment service providers and nine daycare service providers for children with disabilities in the district about their operations. Of those, seven employment service centers said they have continued operating in the same place, five have moved elsewhere and seven have either suspended their operations or closed down. Meanwhile, two of the daycare facilities for children remain in the same place, one has moved and six have either suspended their operations or closed down.

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20140420p2a00m0na005000c.html