Reiwa's first year barrier-free! August 8, 14:45
It takes only 10 days from the Upper House election to the extraordinary Diet session.
During this time, the House of Councilors was making barrier-free efforts at a rapid pace.
The parliament is about to change in a new era brought about by the election results.
I followed the movement for 10 days like the “Reform of the Diet” that started suddenly.
(Takuya Miyazato)
“Improvement” immediately and listening
"I need to improve both hardware and software"
July 22nd, one night after the election. Executives of the House of Councilors immediately responded to my interview.
Two people with severe disabilities from the House of Representatives election in July, Reiwa Shinsengumi are the first winners.
These are ALS = Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and Akihiko Kigo, and Eiko Kimura whose limbs hardly move.
In the Diet, the slopes were started and the restrooms for wheelchairs were installed after Eita Yatsushiro, who was using a wheelchair in the Upper House election in 1977, was elected for the first time.
However, the wheelchair they use is a large one with a stretcher.
Can I go through the slope or enter the toilet?
How do two people who can hardly move their limbs participate in voting and questions?
The secretariat started by listening to “parties” to understand what kind of response and assistance is needed.
An exceptional prompt decision
Only 25 days for 4 days.
Directors of the ruling and opposition parties of the House of Councilors House Management Committee gathered and the Board of Directors was held.
Report what the secretariat heard from two people.
As a result of the discussions, “the immediate response” consisting of 17 items was decided.
Whether it was public opinion or not, the ruling and opposition parties decided quickly.
First hard side.
A slope is prepared at the central entrance of the House of Parliament, which two people use for the first visit.
It was decided to refurbish the seats near the entrance to the main conference hall and prepare a space for attending with large wheelchairs.
Furthermore, wheelchair toilets are currently located on the second floor where the main entrance of the conference hall is located, but they are also considering installing on the third floor.
And soft side.
The assistants attended the conference hall and allowed them to vote on their behalf.
In the “named ballot” to select a chairperson or vice-chairman, an assistant fills out a ballot and gives it to a member of the House of Councilors for voting. In addition, in the “push-button voting”, which shows approval or disapproval with buttons, the assistant was allowed to press.
In addition, Mr. Togo admitted that he could bring a personal computer to the conference hall because he was trying to communicate with his personal computer by typing characters into the personal computer.
On the other hand, it was decided not to wear a jacket or tie.
“We want to respect the intentions of ourselves first. We will make efforts to ensure that our parliamentary activities are 100% smooth,” said Shinsuke Suematsu, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party, who is responsible for the decision.
Rush construction
The work proceeded at a rapid pace in accordance with the determined response policy.
July 28, 4 days before the extraordinary Diet session.
Despite Sunday, there were about 10 people in the conference hall, including members of the House of Councilors and workers.
The renovation work started from 9am.
In order to provide a space for two people to attend in a large wheelchair, the chairs for three people who had been fixed to the floor were removed from the seats near the doorway.
In addition, a step of about 15 centimeters at the foot was removed and the red carpet was relaid. The work was carried out with the staff of the House of Councilors present and carefully checking whether the wheelchair might get caught in the joint of the red carpet.
If you notice, the last two reporters who came to the interview were two.
When all the work was done, the time was going to be 11pm.
On the next day, an outlet for supplying electricity to electric wheelchairs and medical equipment was installed under the desks of the two people.
What to do for nursing care services
It was Yasaki who thought that the repair work was done.
It was reported that there was a new request from two members of the board of directors of the House of Councilors on the 29th.
In the current system, commuting and employment assistance for severely disabled persons, not limited to members of the Diet, are not covered by public care services, so they cannot receive public care services during the legislature activities. It is not possible to enter the hospital.
The members of the Board of Directors immediately called the person in charge of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on the next day to hear the current situation.
Intermittent board meetings were held to discuss responses.
As a result, some commented that “the system itself should be changed, not just paid for the legislators”, but it is important to quickly establish an environment where two members can act as parliamentarians. For the time being, however, the House of Councilors decided to pay for the expenses so that they could receive nursing care services during the assembly.
It was a result of sticking to “conclude” in order to greet two people ahead of the convening day two days later.
Day when the Diet changes
And on the day of the meeting on August 1st.
The two first entered the large wheelchair with their assistants, surrounded by a large number of reporters.
When I entered the House of Parliament using the prepared slope, my assistant pressed the button on the board indicating that I was in the hospital instead.
After that, the two entered the conference hall with their assistants and attended the first conference.
In the election to choose the chairman and vice chairman, the assistant fills out the ballot instead. The helper also raised his hand.
They attended the committees they belonged to and the opening ceremony, and the two finished the day without major trouble.
At the conference after the meeting, Congressman Kimura was asked what should be improved in the future, and replied, “I think there are many. I want to say one by one from now on”.
Representative Kan said, through his assistant ,, “Because it is the first attendance today, I am thinking that it will come out in the future.”
Can you make a ladder
The extraordinary session of the parliament was 5 days, but in effect it was 2 days of convening and closing days.
On August 5th, the closing procedure was held so that a committee could be held when issues to be discussed came out even during the closing.
Each committee is only minutes away. Normally, one member of the Diet belongs to multiple committees, so you have to “ladder” from room to room in the Diet.
Is it possible for two members, Kimura and Kogo, to “ladder” in a short time with a large wheelchair? At first, the House of Councilors was worried.
Two people who attended two committees each day.
The House of Councilors usually adjusts the room in which the committee is held so that members can easily move, but this time, the flow of the two people, such as the position of the elevator where the large wheelchair is placed. I confirmed that.
In the unlikely event that the move did not go well or there was a problem, it was also considered to delay the opening time of the plenary session held after the committee, but the procedures of each committee ended almost on time. .
The executive of the secretariat said, “It was not a special response, but we decided on a room and“ reasonably considered ”while considering the ease of movement.”
More challenges
Preparation in just 10 days. The issues have also been highlighted.
In terms of hardware, the challenge is to install a new slope at the front door of the House of Councilors and to install a toilet for the disabled on the 3rd floor of the House of Councilors where there are two waiting rooms. Whether or not to introduce a welfare vehicle that two people want to receive as a means of transportation is also urgently examined.
Also, for the time being, all the conclusions were made in order to survive the five-day Diet so that the term “for the time being” is attached to the nursing care services that the House of Councilors has decided to pay for.
In the future, will you ask for expenses other than the House of Councilors?
The House of Councilors will discuss with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and draw conclusions within the year.
On the other hand, with the policy of accelerating the examination of commuting and working support for persons with disabilities, it is expected that discussions on support systems will become active in the future.
Some of the ruling and opposition parties criticize it as “Member privilege,” while others say that the system should be reviewed so that persons with disabilities can work with peace of mind.
In order not to be said to be “a conclusion that just put off the conclusion”, it is necessary to proceed with an examination immediately.
And the big issue is how to ask questions.
At the extraordinary Diet session in autumn, deliberation of the bill is expected. Legal members of ALS patients with intractable illnesses communicate with each other by typing letters on a personal computer by biting the device, showing letters on the dial face with their eyes, and reading by an assistant. Whether the caregiver is allowed to read the question.
In addition, the committee has a fixed time for each member to ask questions, but it takes a certain amount of time for the members of the post and the assistants to communicate with each other. Ensuring time based on this is also an issue.
Introducing a clone robot
In addition, future considerations have emerged.
Later, the legislator also hopes to introduce a “robot” that can express his intention on his behalf.
This “Self-Body Robot” is approximately 25 cm long. You can read the text you type in, or move your hand or neck.
Even if it says a robot, it is not an autonomous type which carries AI. The late member of the council believes that if this robot is brought to the main conference hall, etc., he will raise his hand and speak on behalf of the assistant.
If the Diet changes, so will the society.
Barrier-free parliament that has been advanced by two people.
Consideration will begin in the House of Representatives as well as the House of Councilors. However, there is not much time until the extraordinary parliament in autumn, which will be convened in October. In many cases, you will not be able to see the problem unless you actually try it.
If the Diet changes, so will society.
I would like to continue to report on the future of discussions, hoping that the barrier-free of the Diet will be a good stimulus for various barrier-free society.