Rapidly mounting societal costs have compelled a shift in the Japanese social welfare
system to an emphasis on self-sufficiency and societal integration. Within this context, the
Services and Support for Persons with Disabilities Act was implemented in 2006. Soon
afterwards, however, the issue of compensation—the wages to workers of Vocational Aid
Centers (VACs) and the obligation of workers to pay VACs for benefits they receive—
prompted the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to issue in 2007 a five-year plan
targeted at doubling the wages of VAC workers. Under the act, the ministry directed the
governors of the nation’s prefectural governments to collaborate with the private sector in
support of efforts to raise the wages paid to those working at VACs and similar facilities.
In this paper, we examine the design management techniques employed within the product
development and promotional stages of two particularly successful projects.We find five
factors behind their success: (1) utilization of professional staff members; (2)
differentiation from competitors; (3) high-quality packaging by professional designers; (4)
media exposure; and (5) managerial enthusiasm for business expansion. Lastly we compare
these results with those of a project in Shizuoka Prefecture, which was previously
researched by the lead author.
Through this investigation, we hope to deepen our understanding of universal design
management techniques in support of VAC facilities and services.
DRS 2012 Bangkok
system to an emphasis on self-sufficiency and societal integration. Within this context, the
Services and Support for Persons with Disabilities Act was implemented in 2006. Soon
afterwards, however, the issue of compensation—the wages to workers of Vocational Aid
Centers (VACs) and the obligation of workers to pay VACs for benefits they receive—
prompted the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to issue in 2007 a five-year plan
targeted at doubling the wages of VAC workers. Under the act, the ministry directed the
governors of the nation’s prefectural governments to collaborate with the private sector in
support of efforts to raise the wages paid to those working at VACs and similar facilities.
In this paper, we examine the design management techniques employed within the product
development and promotional stages of two particularly successful projects.We find five
factors behind their success: (1) utilization of professional staff members; (2)
differentiation from competitors; (3) high-quality packaging by professional designers; (4)
media exposure; and (5) managerial enthusiasm for business expansion. Lastly we compare
these results with those of a project in Shizuoka Prefecture, which was previously
researched by the lead author.
Through this investigation, we hope to deepen our understanding of universal design
management techniques in support of VAC facilities and services.
DRS 2012 Bangkok
