Research on the Local History of the "Lebenshilfe": A Focus on the Personal Continuity between "Lebenshilfe" and the Special Educational System

• Project/Area Number: 24730469
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Social welfare and social work studies
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Social Welfare (2013-2016); Bunkyo Gakuin University (2012)
• Principal Investigator: TAKAYANAGI Mizuho 東京福祉大学, 社会福祉学部, 講師 (60588010)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2016)
• Budget Amount: ¥2,600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥600,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000); Fiscal Year 2012: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000)
• Keywords: 社会福祉史 / 障害福祉 / 特殊教育 / ドイツ / 知的障害 / 親の会 / 歴史

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to examine the history of the foundation and the activities of the “Lebenshilfe,” the German “parental” association for people with mental disability, from the perspective of its organizational structure and its relationship with the special education system in Germany. Lebenshilfe set up the “Research Council” and “Professionals Council” prior to setting up the “Parental Council.” This proved to be a hindrance to the integrative policies of Lebenshilfe. It also made Lebenshilfe become more conservative in the 1970s, as is evident from its approval of sterilization programs for people with mental disability.