2016 Volume 13 Pages 106-131
The paradigm of independent living consists of “self-determination by individuals
with disabilities” and “community life”. There were many studies about self-determination but few studies about community were published. The purpose
of this research is to clarify concept of community for independent living and examine the interaction between the paradigm of independent living and
community human relations by analyzing the process of birth and development of disability movement in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo from 1974 to 1990 through
document investigation.
The main results show: 1） Disability movement in Setagaya had it origin in needs of barrier-free a station. Two disability movements have developed after
original movement. One was independent living movement aimed to live on their own receiving personal assistance by person outside the family and establish
personal assistance security system. The other was community development movement participated in by individuals with disabilities and local residents on
even ground. The community development aimed not only to barrier-free but to promote understanding of individuals with disabilities. 2） Both disability movements
made the concept of community not as a region but as a space for communication between individuals with disabilities and local residents, and as a
space shaping through participation and learning by individuals with disabilities and residents. This community was a space allowed individuals with disabilities
to live on their own receiving personal assistance by person outside the family and to participate in on even ground with local residents. 3） This concept of
community had an actual limitation in responding to life problems for individuals with disabilities such as personal assistance, thus the support organization
based by welfare system was needed.
