The important point of view is an ecological approach, that is, we should recognize the target of social work as a living system. One system is not a component of a larger system, suprasystem, but has some components, sub-systems, consist that system as a whole. So the subject is if there is umbalance or maladjustment between a part and a whole. I would like to discuss here about the following aspects. 1. The Trend of Social Work 2. The Subjects of Social Work Methods 3. The Basic Focus of Socal Work 4. Supporting Independent Living, Tasks of Social Work 5. How Social Work can Support Independent Living? Nowadays we have two themes. One is to establilsh integrated social work method based on life model or systems model, and the other is to promote social welfare policy in view of this changing society. We have to support independent living of a client who has troubles in social living. Then, the important task is to review the basic focus of social work. A person is living in social environment and interact with it. A person has self-organizability, ability to keep steady state. So we have to recognize the target of social work as an open system. Based on this point of view, we can understand the circumstances of independent living and how to support it by providing personal social services.

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Executive Director of Independent Living Research Institute The "Independent Living Movement" started in the United States of America in latter half of the 1960s. The American concept of independent living was developed in Berkeley, California in the 1970s. The "Center for Independent Living Inc." (CIL) was established there. It is now the base and center for the disabled who are living independently. In 1981, the International Year of Disabled Persons, the term "independent living" was introduced to Japan. Since then the independent living movement has been developing in various parts of Japan. At the same time centers for supporting independent living of the disabled have been founded one after another by the leaders of disabled movement groups. However, in term of the interests of the disabled persons themselves in Independent living movements or the support system provided by the citizens, we have to admit that nor much enthusiasm is recognized in Japan compared to the movements developing in America. One of the reasons for this is that the Japanese concept of independent living is not agreed upon or understood by all the leader of the disabled groups. It is impossible to accept and develop in Japan the American concept of independent living which has developed in the American political, social, and economic system. There are differences in national traits between the two countries. Also, even the disabled persons are a subgroup situated within the main system of the Japanese people. In contrast to the American idea of independent living aiming to " live by oneself in the community," the Japanese concept emphasizes strong ties within the family, community, and among relatives. It is an independent living well understood by the disabled themselves and also by the support groups. It is necessary to think about all types of assistance to the disabled who wish to live independently. The Independent Living Reseach Institute conducted a survey from 1985 to 1986 concerning independent living of the seriously disabled persons. The results of the survey indicate that for the severely physically disabled to achieve the goal of independent living what is most needed in terms of assistance is education for independent living. "Independent Living Skills Class" at CI: in Berkeley focuses on helping the disabled who wish to live independently in the community and to acquire skills for doing daily chores, such as shopping, washing and cleaning the house. They are trained in a house specifically designed for practicing independent living. These skills are taught directly by disabled persons who are themselves leading independent lives. Thus the training given at the CIL is for the disabled who are highly motivated for independent living, that is for those who have relatively high capacity for social skills. At present educational programs for independent living in demand in Japan are not for a specitic group of the disabled as in America but for a large scope of the physically disabled persons. There are different types of welfare agencies for the disabled in various parts of Japan. They have their own program organized by their worker based on repeated trial and error. They have used the trial and error method because mannuals for organizing the program for the disabled persons have not been prepared yet. We need a comprehensive mannual segmented into several steps according to the developmental process of independent living. This thesis is intended to clarify the concept of independent living of the seriously physically disabled by classifying the concept into five categories and their life styles into nine categories. Also this thesis, using the experience from the "Independent Living Educational Class" which I organized, discusses eleven steps for the seriously disabled persons to follow to achieve independent living.

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The profession of social work did not appreciate sufficiently in Japan. One of this reason is it is very difficult to quantify and evaluate social work job. The purpose of this paper is basically to consider what is social work tasks and how to evaluate social work job. Using job analysis methods for social work must be effective for its problem. Because, social work tasks may be specialized and standardized by the application of its methods. Then, the development of its procedure is important to social work profession. This paper presents some tentative plans. And they will be one of indications how to introduce job analysis to social work. For example: a. clarification what is social work tasks b. indication how to specialize and standardize social work tasks c. development of job context worksheet of social work practice d. development of social work service information system data sheet e. development of job evaluation scale Toward the development of scientific methods about social work's job evaluation, this study is to continue to the next step.

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This paper examines "early rehabilitation and early intervention" for disabled children in order to transfer them smoothly to community life. Expanded services and development of practical theories related to the disabled has required the introduction of the concept of "quality of life" into rehabilitation services. In the field of rehabilitation for disabled children, it is nesessary to review the appropriateness of the supportive system at each stage of their lives with a special emphasis given to early childhood care as well as the compensation system for disabilities of individuals. Analizing two kinds of researches, the child health check-up services and the social resourses for disabled children and their families, writers review the function and the situation of the present early rehabilitation services for disabled children. Discussed here are the following points; (1) To identify the needs of disabled children who have less opportunities to get early rehabilitation services. (2) To point out the important factors of early detection services for disabled children to support their lives as a child. (3) To grasp the situaton of the collaboration and communication among health, educational, medical and social services in early rehabilitation services. (4) To recognize the interaction between persons who supply services and persons who recieve them, for example, disabled children, thier families. (5) To point out the conditions of " community" for persons who use rehabilitation resources.

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