NPO EPO to Host 'Kokone Fes 2026': An Inclusive Sports Day for Children with Severe Disabilities and Their Families on June 27

NPO EPO (Edogawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Erika Mori), which operates 'COCOLON'—a community for children with severe physical and mental disabilities, their families, and supporters—will hold 'Kokone Fes 2026' on June 27, 2026. This is a sports day event where children with severe disabilities and their families, including siblings, can participate together.

Due to the need for medical care and severe disabilities, many families feel that it is difficult to participate in large-scale events or to go out together as a family.

Kokone Fes is organized as an inclusive sports day, providing an environment where children with severe disabilities can participate as 'competitors', ensuring that siblings and families can enjoy the event together.

There is a Reality of 'Wanting to Participate, but Being Unable To'
Challenges in Medical Care, Mobility, and Facilities Create Barriers to Going Out
For children with severe physical and mental disabilities and their families, going out or participating in events is never a casual undertaking.

Many face difficulties when going out or going to play due to the need for non-infant diaper changing beds/spaces, securing power for medical devices, and human support for mobility and watching over siblings. Due to these complex factors, their contact with society remains limited.

As a result, they are losing opportunities to 'connect with someone' or 'experience something new.'

According to a 2019 survey on the living conditions of children and adults requiring medical care and their families:
- Do not have opportunities to receive age-appropriate fun or developmental support: 48.3%
- Do not know about support services/systems for children requiring medical care: 45.1%
- Find it extremely difficult to go out with a child requiring medical care: 65.3%
- Feel isolated from society: 51.3%

With more than half responding that they 'feel isolated from society', it is easy to imagine how difficult going out can be.

A Sports Day Where Children with Severe Disabilities Can Be 'Competitors'
Organizing an Event Where Disabled Children, Siblings, and Families Can Have Fun Together
The event allows children with disabilities and their siblings to move their bodies while interacting and having fun with friends and other families.

Because the planning and operating organization, NPO EPO, runs four facilities for child development support and after-school day services ['Kokone'] in Tokyo, the necessary environment and preparations are well established. Furthermore, because it is held in an indoor hall, there is no need to worry about rain, medical care needs, power supply for medical devices, or diaper changes.

Last year, five types of events were held, including 'Near-pin Ball Toss', 'Giant Ball Roll', and 'Hit de Goal', all modified so that children with severe disabilities could easily participate with their families and siblings.

This year, the event is planned to incorporate more new events than before, ensuring that past participants can also enjoy themselves.

Participant Feedback
Many families who participated last year expressed how much they enjoyed it, leaving comments unique to this sports day event, such as:
'I never thought my child would participate in such a big sports day.'
'It was great that the event was designed so that both children with disabilities and siblings without disabilities could participate.'
'I was happy to participate in the event with so many friends.'

An Event That Creates Connections with the Community and Society
Building a Community to Reduce the 'Isolation of Families with Disabled Children'
Families of children with severe physical and mental disabilities often hesitate to participate in local events or visit large facilities due to the burden of medical care, mobility challenges, and the lack of proper equipment at destinations.

Kokone Fes is not just a recreational event; it is held as a place where children with severe disabilities and their families can 'go out safely and connect with people.'

On the day of the event, families in similar situations can not only interact with each other but also meet supporters involved in welfare, medical care, and regional support.

'We weren't the only ones.'
'It made me want to try going out again.'
The goal is for such experiences to lead to a step forward in the families' social participation.

Event Overview
Event Title: Kokone Fes 2026 - Sports Day for Children with Severe Disabilities and Their Families
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM (Open) / 1:50 PM (Start)
Location: Komatsugawa Sakura Hall (3-6-3 Komatsugawa, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo)
Capacity: 34 families (120 people)
Participation Fee: (Per family) [Members] 1,000 yen [General] 3,000 yen
Special Support: JKA Foundation (This event is implemented with a subsidy from JKA Foundation and Auto Race.)