The grass-roots activism of people with cerebral palsy in Japan : Early protest confronting the inaccessible bus system

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Japan has one of the highest proportions of people over 65 of any country in the world, and recently the Japanese government has made an effort to improve accessibility on public transportation for older citizens. This effort is rooted in demonstrations almost 30 years ago by people with cerebral palsy who objected to their exclusion from public transportation. This paper describes how Japanese cerebral palsied citizens who challenged inaccessible public bus systems and analyzes the significance of these challenges for the entire country. In time, the country became alert and sensitive to the challenges faced by the severely disabled and one group in particular-- The Japanese Cerebral Palsied Association" Green Grass" (JCP), a group devoted to promote independence and equality for those living with the most severe disabilities. Initially, a manual describing how to handle wheelchair users was made without consulting people. The manual had serious problems, one of which was that if wheelchair users could not transfer to the regular bus seats due to their limited mobility, bus drivers would refuse to grant them access. Because the JCP wanted the society to accept all people regardless of disability, they launched the protest. On the afternoon of April 12 1977, over 100 cerebral palsied wheelchair users from all around the nation gathered at Kawasaki station next to Yokohama city, and held up a total of 28 buses which resulted in chaos in the terminal that lasted throughout the evening. After this historical protest, little progress was made, and negotiations between protesters, bus companies and the government lasted 20 years until an acceptable agreement was reached. As a result of the negotiations however, the Yokohama bus system has become the most accessible in Japan today (43.3% of all buses equipped wheelchair ramp with lowered floor). Use of public transportation is one of the basic necessity and rights for any member of our society. Revisions made to the public transportation system, improving access to persons with disabilities was an example of an important first step towards inclusion and integration of our society.

The grass-roots activism of people with cerebral palsy in Japan : Early protest confronting the inaccessible bus system

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