A Study on the Influence of Evacuation Assistance Practice Involving People with Disabilities on Junior High School Students

Abstract

In the event of a disaster, people who are competent to assist the safe evacuation of disabled people are essential. To ensure the availability of such people in the future, it is anticipated that educational programs related to evacuation assistance would be introduced in school education. Evacuation assistance drills involving people with disabilities have been implemented for years at junior high schools within Osaka Prefecture, Japan. This study aims to elucidate the impact of evacuation assistance practices on junior high school students. The research method involved participant observations of evacuation support practices and an evaluation of the actual situation of junior high school students’ learning support methods and their self-evaluation. The results of this study were as follows. (1) The practice of providing evacuation assistance to people with disabilities has an educational impact on students, helping them to learn how to facilitate mobility for people with disabilities and understand the importance of collaboration. (2) Evacuation assistance practice also has an educational impact, as it deepens the understanding of disability through collaborative experience and increased interest in accessible environments. (3) By achieving their goals in training, the students acknowledge their capacity to serve as supporters and exhibit a positive attitude toward assisting people with disabilities.