Stuttering Treatment Using Reasonable Accommodations and Disability Certificates

Abstract

People who stutter often experience anxiety and fear when speaking in public. These feelings can be magnified during important events such as entrance examinations and job interviews, which can have a significant impact on an individual’s life. Communication is a two-way street between the speaker and the listener. In 2016, the “Law for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities” was enacted, requiring universities and other institutions to provide reasonable accommodation. This paper presents examples of such accommodations for interviews, practical tests in entrance examinations, and other examinations. In contrast to the job-based employment system in the United States, the employment system in Japan is membership-based, and many students have difficulty finding a job. Even after employment, individuals with shuttering disorders may face challenges with telephone-based work, which was not a concern during their school years. The stuttering disorder is classified as F98.5 in the International Classification of Diseases, 10^th edition, and individuals can obtain a mental disability health welfare certificate. Such a certificate can be an effective means of employment support and can only be provided by a physician.