Vocational Rehabilitation Research and Training

In order to promote the development of infrastructures and improvement of the quality of vocational rehabilitation services, the National Institute of Vocational Rehabilitation (NIVR) conducts surveys and research on vocational rehabilitation services, development of techniques, and training of professional personnel.

1.Surveys and Research on Vocational Rehabilitation

Research Based on Various Needs

In order to develop policies for vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities and improve employment support techniques at Local Vocational Centers for Persons with Disabilities as well as Employment and Life Support Centers for Persons with Disabilities, hospitals, and special needs schools, the NIVR conducts research and studies focusing on the following four points based on the current situations surrounding these persons and trends in the development of disability-related measures.

1.Pioneering research on vocational rehabilitation for persons with developmental disabilities, mental disabilities, higher brain dysfunctions, and intractable diseases

“Research on Career Restructuring in regards to Support for Return to Work,” “Research on Effective Assessment and Support from the Perspective of ‘Executive Functioning’”

2.Research that contributes to solving problems at Local Vocational Centers for Persons with Disabilities and other agencies providing vocational rehabilitation services

“Research in Knowledge and Skills Contributing to the Specialization and Support of Employment Support Workers,” “Research on Issues in Information Sharing in the Workplace: Embracing Changes in the Work Environment with the Spread of Teleworking”

3.Research for developing effective support tools and other methods for local work support agencies

"Research on the Acquisition of Effective Assessment and Supplementation Methods for Three New Makuhari Work Sample (MWS) Tasks"

4.Research that contributing to the development of national policies

“Research on Supporting Employment Continuation Support and Career Formation for Middle-Aged and Elderly Persons with Disabilities,” “Research on the Relation between Grades/Conditions and Employment Situation of Persons with Mental Disabilities”

Dissemination and Use of Research Results

Research results are integrated into Research and Survey Reports, Material Series and various manuals, and are distributed widely to the related facilities, administrative agencies, employers and employers’ organizations, etc.,together with brochures and summaries that compile such data.
In addition, various tools developed by the NIVR are provided to the work support agencies, including Local Vocational Centers for Persons with Disabilities, for use in the employment support practice.

• For more information on the report and other details(NIVER Japanese)

The National Conference of Vocational Rehabilitation Research and Practice

• More information on the 31st National Conference of Vocational Rehabilitation Research and Practice(NIVER Japanese)

2.Development of Effective Vocational Rehabilitation Methods

The NIVR develops and improves pioneering vocational rehabilitation methods for persons with disabilities such as developmental disabilities and mental disabilities, for which traditional methods of support are ineffective.
Effective support methods developed through actual support for such individuals are integrated into Reports on Practical Support Methods and Support Manuals, and are provided to Local Vocational Centers for Persons with Disabilities and the relevant agencies. In addition, Support Technique Dissemination Training is also conducted.

3.Education and Training of Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists

Training of Vocational Counselors and Vocational Training Instructors

The NIVR offers systematic training according to the position and years of experience to the vocational counselors and vocational training instructors stationed at Local and Large Region Vocational Centers for Persons with Disabilities, etc. to provide them with the knowledge and skills needed for vocational rehabilitation specialists in order to improve the quality of their services.

Training of Vocational Rehabilitation Staff in the Medical and WelfareFields

Targeting the personnel responsible for employment support for persons with disabilities in the Employment and Life Support Centers for Persons with Disabilities and other related organizations in the medical, welfare and education fields, the NIVR offers the following trainings for them to acquire the basic vocational rehabilitation knowledge and skills required for employment support and improvement of the quality of their services.

1.Education and Training of Job Coaches

This program is carried out for training job coaches, some of whom are stationed at Local Vocational Centers for Persons with Disabilities, and others belong to the welfare institutions, etc. (dispatched type) and companies (assigned type). The training aims to promote acquisition of technical knowledge and support methods required to become a job coach by combining the group training conducted at the NIVR and Osaka Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities and the practical skill training at the Local Vocational Centers.

2.Support Skills Training for Job Coaches

This training for the job coaches, who have a certain amount of practical experience, aims to improve their skills to support workers with disabilities and employers in areas such as employment management and assessment.

3.Support Training For Job Coaches

This training is for job coaches who have already completed education and training of job coaches as well as support skills training. It is held at Local Vocational Centers for Persons with Disabilities, aiming to provide practical know-how on work adjustment support.

4.Training of Personnel Responsible for Employment Support at Employment and Life Support Centers for Persons with Disabilities

Training is offered to provide the knowledge and support methods necessary in performing the tasks of personnel responsible for employment support at Employment and Life Support Centers for Persons with Disabilities, as well as to improve their support skills. There is also training offered to chief personnel responsible for employment support to provide know-how on managing the center and supervising employees.

5.Employment Support Skill Improvement Training

This seminar targets the personnel responsible foremployment support of persons with disabilities, with more than 3 years of practical experience at institutions involving labor, medical care, welfare or education, in order to improve their employment support techniques according to the type of disability, such as mental disability, developmental disability and higher brain dysfunction, utilizing the outcomes of research and support methods developed in the NIVR.