From 'Want to Work But Can't' to Commercial Media: A New Place for People with Disabilities to Work as 'Professional Writers' Beyond Welfare Frameworks, Starting from Home

Image: Users discussing writing tasks.

Konpeito Planning, a Specified Nonprofit Corporation, has been promoting initiatives to help individuals with disabilities and illnesses gain employment experience through actual media projects, in collaboration with "Maidona News," a nationwide web media operated by Kobe Shimbun. Over the one-year period from March 2025 to March 2026, they successfully delivered a total of 402 articles, achieving practical and continuous results that transcend the framework of welfare-based employment, particularly by gaining high page views for articles requiring supervision.

## Overview of the Initiative

Our organization is an NPO based in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, providing employment support to people nationwide who face difficulties working due to disabilities or illnesses. Our aim has been to create an environment where individuals can gain work experience by participating in actual media projects, rather than just 'training,' thereby creating stable employment opportunities through continuous project orders.

This initiative involved a total of 20 participants: 12 writers with disabilities and 8 users from "Penguin Creates," a Type B continuous employment support facility. By leveraging remote work, we achieved flexible working styles tailored to each individual's characteristics and health condition.

## Key Achievements

Over the one-year period from March 2025 to March 2026, the 20 participating writers (12 writers with disabilities, 8 users from "Penguin Creates") delivered a total of 402 articles. A major achievement of this initiative was establishing a system where each writer could continuously handle projects monthly, not just one-off assignments. Among these, supervision-related articles, which combined the perspectives and expertise of individuals with disabilities, garnered strong reader interest and recorded high page views.

Furthermore, some participants who started their careers as writers expanded their roles to checkers, responsible for article quality control, while others progressed to writing for our own web media, "Arica" (https://arica.site/), with some growing to publish over 10 articles.

## Characteristics of the Initiative

What significantly differentiates this project from other employment training programs is that it involves actual media projects with compensation, where participants write articles for commercial media readers, rather than just 'training.' We adjust the monthly workload according to each writer's characteristics and health condition, and writers, editors, and directors maintain close communication via chat, creating a secure remote working environment. Additionally, we have established writing guidelines to share writing rules among all stakeholders, ensuring consistent article quality. After "Penguin Creates" became fully operational, back-checking and submission systems were further strengthened, enabling more stable deliveries.

Regarding the creation of such an environment, one participant commented: "I feel my abilities are recognized and trusted, not only in writing articles but also in checking, correcting, and sometimes even being involved in important tasks, which makes me approach my work positively. I am also very grateful for the detailed consideration given to my work environment." The direction team leader also stated, "We will continue to expand and continuously develop writers, and strive to expand employment opportunities," indicating a commitment to further developing the initiative.

Image: Exterior of Penguin Creates.

## Future Outlook

Our organization will continue to expand its initiatives in the following directions:

- Establishing a system that can be operated primarily by individuals with disabilities.
- Expanding writers and continuously supporting their training and skill development.
- Creating continuous, not single-shot, employment opportunities through steady project orders.

We will continue to develop the model connecting welfare and practical media work towards realizing a society where "everyone can work at their own pace."

## Organization Overview and Contact

- Organization Name: Konpeito Planning, Specified Nonprofit Corporation
- Location: Beppu Coge Mansion 303, 1-28 Yumigahama-cho, Beppu City, Oita 874-0927, Japan
- Representative: Eri Mametsuka
- Official Website: https://kompeito.org/
- Contact: TEL: 0977-76-8601 / E-mail: info@kompeito.org
- Own Media: Arica: https://arica.site/

## About Penguin Creates

"Penguin Creates" is a Type B continuous employment support facility that adopts a new approach, different from conventional B-type facilities. By collaborating with professional editors, advertising planners, and writers, and working as a team on actual client requests from companies and local governments, it provides more practical employment experience.

- Organization Name: Penguin Creates, Type B Continuous Employment Support Facility
- Location: 3-4-24 Nishiki-machi, Oita City, Oita 870-0024, Japan
- Representative: Eri Mametsuka
- Contact: TEL: 070-8582-4669 / E-mail: penguin_crea