Survey on reasonable accommodations for stuttering in Japanese universities

Abstract

Stuttering is a disability covered by the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, which came in force in 2016. Therefore, universities have begun offering reasonable accommodations to students who stutter. However, the process of obtaining necessary documentation for these accommodations is not widespread knowledge beyond physicians. To assess the situation, a survey on the actual implementation of these accommodations was conducted across 751 universities in Japan from January to March 2024, with a 19.3% response rate. In the 2023 academic year, 47 stuttering students received accommodations, up from 25 in 2022. These accommodations involved faculty awareness campaigns, changes in presentation formats, attendance response, and supporting external internships. While medical diagnoses were the most frequently used basis, input from specialists like speech therapists was also considered. Starting in April 2024, the Amended Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities will come into effect, making it mandatory for all universities, including private universities, to provide reasonable accommodations, thereby enhancing support for students who stutter in overcoming academic challenges.