The independent-minded actions of people with disabilities in disaster-stricken communities have the potential to dissipate the stigma they face.

Action research with Okayama Mind “Kokoro” a non-profit corporation in Mabi town, Kurashiki city

Abstract

In this paper, I consider the issues and prospects related to the independent minded actions of people with disabilities through an action research in Mabi town, Kurashiki city, which was affected by a flood disaster in 2018. In the results, I discovered that there is a particular stigma that arises in disaster stricken communities. However, the independent minded actions of people with disabilities have the potential to dissipate the stigma in the disaster stricken community. In addition, these people are giv en the opportunity to become actors within the community. Furthermore, a safe place is established to allow people with “weak voices” to participate in the community and to listen to each other’s voices