Abstract
This paper discusses the current status and issues of disaster preparedness support for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Japan, and in particular the need to consider Kumamoto Prefecture's “Welfare Children's Shelter” system as a response to a major Nankai Trough earthquake in Osaka Prefecture.In order to explore the possibility of utilizing the ”Welfare Children's Shelter” system introduced by Kumamoto Prefecture in Osaka Prefecture, this study conducted an interview survey in Kumamoto Prefecture and examined its effectiveness and issues.The use of special-needs schools as evacuation centers in Osaka Prefecture, where there is little tsunami risk, suggests that the ”Welfare Children's Evacuation Center” can play a role in meeting the needs of children with disabilities who are difficult to support in the event of a large-scale disaster.On the other hand, the study also revealed the importance of realizing reasonable accommodation in cooperation with the government and local communities in the future, as issues such as stockpiling, securing personnel, and institutional arrangements remain to be addressed.
