Learning of Tomorrow [Announcement] “‘School Occupational Therapy Rooms’ in Every Elementary and Middle School: Hida City’s Initiative Lights the Way to the Future” For the online symposium on Wednesday, December 4, we will be welcoming Ms. Mitsuyoshi Okutsu, an occupational therapist from the NPO Habiris.
The NPO “Habirisu” is working with local government to establish “School Occupational Therapy Rooms” within schools, staffed by occupational therapists (OTs)—specialists in mental and physical rehabilitation—to provide support for children facing learning difficulties or personal struggles.Aiming to provide an education that prevents children from growing up while struggling to cope with life, this collaborative effort—involving local government, occupational therapists, and schools—fosters the ability to live independently even for children with developmental differences. Following a pilot program at model schools, this “School Occupational Therapy Room” initiative began in Hida City, Gifu Prefecture, in fiscal year 2023.The city aims to expand this initiative nationwide as the “Hida Model.”
We will hear from Mr. Okutsu, who is developing a new model for occupational therapy practice while visiting elementary and middle schools, about the “School Occupational Therapy Room” initiative. We hope you will join us.
https://lot.or.jp/report/14002
Professor, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)
Director, B Lab
Chairperson, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
Chairperson, CANVAS
After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he served as a visiting researcher at the MIT Media Lab before founding the NPO CANVAS and the Learning of Tomorrow Association, a General Incorporated Association, and assuming the role of representative. He serves as an outside director for Matsuya Co., Ltd., Fuji Media Holdings, Inc., and Digital Garage, Inc.
He has served on various government committees, including the Information and Communications Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council. He also serves as a director of the Digital Signage Consortium, among other roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Policy and Media.
His publications include *Turning On Children’s Creativity!*, *What Are Smart Kids Doing on Their Smartphones?*, *The Forefront of Online Education in Japan: Considering Learning in the Post-COVID Era*,“What Is Programming Education? 45 Questions Parents Want to Know,” and “Declaration on Digital Education.” He has also provided supervision for numerous works, including “Ah, I See! Programming Education for Parents and Children Through Manga.”
