Launching the 'Misawa School' This Fall: A Series of Lectures to Cultivate Leaders in the Disability Rights Movement

DPI Japan, an NPO, will launch the 'Misawa School,' a continuous lecture series to cultivate talent for the disability rights movement, starting in September 2026.

Issues surrounding persons with disabilities are diverse, including the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Act on Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, personal assistance systems, education, employment, barrier-free access, and the Eugenic Protection Law. To address these issues locally, raise voices, and transform society, it is essential that persons with disabilities themselves learn, connect, and take action.

The 'Misawa School' is a 16-session course designed for persons with disabilities actively involved in the disability rights movement, covering both foundational and practical aspects of advocacy. Through online lectures, Q&A sessions, group work, and two residential retreats, participants will deepen their learning while working on individual themes together with peers.

No prior experience, age limit, or disability type is required. We support the challenge of persons with disabilities who wish to change society and engage in advocacy at the local level.

"There is no path before me; behind me, a path is made." — Takamura Kotaro, "Michinori"

The 'Misawa School' is a lecture series where we think together with you.

We welcome all persons with disabilities who feel the desire to learn and engage in advocacy.

Duration

September 10, 2026 – December 2027, 16 sessions including two retreats

(Retreats: 2 sessions, January 30 – February 1, 2027 & September 4–6, 2027, at Togayama Sunrise)

Capacity

20 participants

Participation Fee

10,000 JPY (fee reductions available under certain circumstances). *Travel, accommodation, and meal expenses for retreats are at the participant’s own cost.

Application: Please apply via Google Form

https://forms.gle/AnUF3WgR6auivxYt6

※ Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 15, 2026

※ If you have difficulty using the Google Form, please contact us at the email address below, and we will send you an application form.

Inquiries

DPI Japan Secretariat Mailing List: misawa2026★googlegroups.com (Please replace ★ with @ when sending an email)

Curriculum (Tentative)

Session 1: September 10, 2026 (Thu) Orientation

Session 2: October 8, 2026 (Thu) Introduction to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Yeongbeon Choi

Session 3: November 12, 2026 (Thu) The Eugenic Protection Law and Forced Sterilization: Kumiko Fujiwara

Session 4: December 10, 2026 (Thu) Disqualification Clauses and Disability Discrimination: Kumiko Usui

Session 5: January 30, 2027 (Sat) – February 1, 2027 (Mon) (Retreat 1 – Togayama Sunrise)

Future Challenges of the Personal Assistance System: Noboru Imamura

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (1): Social Model and General Opinions: Toshihiro Higashi

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2): Constructive Dialogue and Concluding Observations: Toshihiro Higashi

Session 6: February 11, 2027 (Thu) Current Situation and Future Challenges for Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities: Fukayuki Yamamoto, Mayu Taniuchi

Session 7: March 11, 2027 (Thu) Rights Protection (1): Adult Guardianship System and the Act on Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities: Yeongbeon Choi

Session 8: April 8, 2027 (Thu) Rights Protection (2): Issues on the Innkeeping Business Act and Customer Harassment Prevention: Yeongbeon Choi

Session 9: May 13, 2027 (Thu) Challenges in Education for Persons with Disabilities: Motohide Nishio

Session 10: June 10, 2027 (Thu) Issues Facing Women with Disabilities: Keiko Murata, Sadako Sasaki

Session 11: July 8, 2027 (Thu) Challenges in Employment and Labor for Persons with Disabilities: Masaki Nishimura

Session 12: August 12, 2027 (Thu) Barrier-Free Access: Satoshi Sato

Session 13: September 4, 2027 (Sat) – September 6, 2027 (Mon) (Retreat 2 – Togayama Sunrise)

Current Situation and Future Challenges Regarding Dignity in Life: Naoki Okamoto

Session 14: October 14, 2027 (Thu) International Challenges in the Disability Rights Movement: Yukiko Nakanishi

Session 15: November 11, 2027 (Thu) Overview of Japanese Disability Organizations: Koji Onoe

Session 16: December 9, 2027 (Thu) History of the Disability Rights Movement: Koji Onoe

▽ Misawa School Flyer (PDF)

https://www.dpi-japan.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/7ae73397e50ecab9b7733478b858c8a6.pdf

Organizer

DPI Japan

About DPI Japan

DPI (Disabled Peoples' International) Japan is a nationwide organization led by persons with disabilities, aiming to realize a society free from all forms of discrimination and exclusion. We conduct policy advocacy and awareness-raising activities across various fields, including rights treaties, education, transportation, and labor.

Official Website: https://www.dpi-japan.org/