Japan Taking Lessons from Ohio on Supporting People with Disabilities

ATHENS, Ohio -- Tucked away in the foothills of Southeast Ohio, Athens County's rural charm and Appalachian beauty may not lure an international tourist as the first stop on a journey to the United States. But for Akemi Moriizumi Harada of Japan, it was the primary destination.
Harada visited the region earlier this fall as part of the Exchange Program for Developmentally Disabled and Elderly Citizens (EPDDEC). According to the Ohio Chapter's mission statement, the program works to improve and advance services for these individuals by facilitating visits between Japan and Athens, and exposing participants to methods of care used in both cultures.
"We want to exchange ideas about supporting people with disabilities," said Arlene Sheak, Ohio Visit Coordinator for EPDDEC.