Yokohama Rapport seeks to promote improved health and social participation among disabled persons and foster interaction with other citizens through involvement in sports, recreation and cultural activities. For information about its activities and projects, contact Yokohama Rapport.

Contact information: TEL. 045-475-2050 (Sports)
http://www.yokohama-rf.jp/shisetsu/rapport/

Yokohama Rapport offers an “outing support program” for circles that consist of people disabled by aftereffects of a stroke or other medical condition and their family members. In cooperation with various organizations in the region, Yokohama Rapport hosts sports classes to create an environment where disabled people can gather and engage in sports and recreational activities without anxiety. In these classes, disabled people undergo exercise rehabilitation while at the same time they and their family members use public transportation, eat meals and share information with other participants. Through these activities, the classes provide the family members with mental healthcare (peer support) as well.

In today’s table tennis lesson,
participants are instructed to hit
the ball back to the yellow-circle
area when the ball comes from there.

Family members enjoy playing table tennis, too.

Mr. Hotta says: “It’s fun to hit
the ball back and forth
with the opponent.”

Mr. and Mrs. Hotta began to participate in the program after the husband developed a disability. Mrs. Hotta says, “After my husband was disabled, both of us always seemed to be on edge. Since starting to come to the rehabilitation class, I have become able to communicate with a smile not only with my husband but also with other participants. I also move my body during the class, so I am healthier now. I think it was really good for us to find this program. We always look forward to coming here.”

Mr. Matsumura, a sports instructor
of Yokohama Rapport

While participants in these classes often have difficulty in learning new skills because of their disabilities, they remember what they have experienced before. Therefore, participants tend to be open to sports that most of them have tried in the past, such as table tennis, and they enjoy playing those sports.