The social welfare is the most popular service for the disabled and elderly in the Japan. It would enhance the quality service for the disabled and elderly. I am sure the disabled persons enjoy productive life, which the location of Japan has a barrier-free environment but although there is still discrimination existed in the current society.

A rapid process of industrialization over the last century has turned Japan into one of the world’s most advanced industrial countries. Japan is a country where ancient traditions and advanced technologies coexist to create a stimulating environment. The economy of Japan has a prosperous and well developed among the highest in the world despite of economic downturn.

I had a great opportunity to experience the world of Japan for one year, I have learned many new things from the Japanese traditions, culture, language, values, hardships and people. I was impressed with the Japanese culture, values and people because they have been strongly preserved from their generation which still have been recognized even in the present society.

I chose to study three areas: The Japanese Federation of the Deaf, Sign Language Interpreters Training Program and Deaf Education for the important task of improving the well being of Deaf persons in my country.

As a president of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD), the PFD has to make an important contribution to the social development of Deaf people in the Philippines. In order to organize seminars and conferences on Sign Language, Deaf Education, Deaf Movement, Management and Leadership Training. These exchange of information and experience give a greater knowledge of opportunities for Deaf people. This knowledge enables us to lobby our national governments to take the necessary measures to improve the social status of Deaf people in the near future.

The National Association of the Deaf in America approach has been marked by a long history of strengthening and emphasizing “Deaf Culture” and the linguistic importance of American Sign Language. On the other hand, the Japanese Federation of the Deaf approach has been an emphasis on civil and human rights and the development of a strong welfare system for Deaf individuals. In particular, the Japanese Deaf movement would instead record the end of World War II and the institution of compulsory education for all children: political and civil rights of Deaf movement; the establishment of a lifelong social welfare system and popularization of Japanese Sign Language.

I have realized that the PFD should urge to need the self-sustainability and economic feasibility what I have learned from the JFD strategies that they generate income from individual membership fees through the prefecture, kanto and city levels, contribution of funds among whole-hearted donors and selling the sign language publications. These sources of funds allocate the expenses for the use of the JFD operations so that the existence of Deaf people would be productive members of the society.

The management process of the congress have a clear purpose of the conference which offers a forum where information connected to the lives of Deaf people can be shared. It leads this progress from their needs and from the principles of equality. It also gives them the opportunity to make the positive result of careful plans of action.

The Japanese Sign Language is the most popular language of the Deaf people studied by among interested hearing people in Japan. The government officially began the “Sign Language Volunteer Development Program” and three years later, then came the “Sign Language Interpreter Placement Project” and the “Sign Language Volunteer Dispatch System”. In addition, the government established the official sign language interpreter exam service in 1989. Therefore, the sign language interpreter service works at both the prefecture and city levels and plays an extremely important role in protecting the basic human rights of deaf people in such areas as medical, educational, occupational, laws and counseling services. On the other hand, the JFD hopes to establish a “ Sign Language Interpreter Training Center” in the near future.

There are two kinds of level courses: Beginners and Intermediate/Advanced. The advanced level course is a new program for sign language graduatees which was launched at the National Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled this year of April.

The teacher did not teach written word to sign to the students because the students should not rely on both written and spoken words. The teacher should have instructed the use of natural communication approach on sign language to the students so that they naturally communicate with the Deaf people in daily lives. The class did not depend on the understanding of sign language only but also enhance the knowledge about the Deaf Community and the role of interpreter. Therefore, it would enhance the quality of interpreters.

The teaching method in deaf education is very interesting despite of oral method in all deaf schools. When I visited various deaf schools around in Japan and was impressed with the teachers who cater to the needs of deaf students. For instance, there are divided into two same class levels for regular students and deaf students with multiple disabilities. The teachers have spent two hours teaching deaf student with multiple disabilities. On the other hand, the deaf students have the great opportunity to learn vocational and technical skills earlier.

I am planning to create Filipino Sign Language video and book project after the result of research study on the development of the Filipino Sign Language. This helps the Philippine Federation of the Deaf with the financial needs for their office space and day to day operations so that the exchange of information and experience acquire a greater knowledge for Filipino Deaf Community. With these supports, we can start building a better tomorrow, a better world towards work together in promoting the rights of Deaf people in the Philippines.