Introduction: In 2015, the Saitama City Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled launched the "Hajime no Ippo" support group for individuals with cognitive disabilities. Initially focused on fostering social connections, the program evolved to include disability awareness and employment support, driven by participants' needs. However, whether these program modifications effectively align with participants' evolving goals remains unclear.
Objective: This study examines how a support group program for individuals with cognitive disabilities, adapted based on participants' needs, influences engagement and transitions over a decade.
Methods: The program consists of eight two-hour sessions per half-year, accommodating 3 to 5 participants per cycle. Center staff conducted individual post-session interviews, incorporating feedback from an academic occupational therapist. Participants were categorized into early, middle, and final periods (2015–2024). Participation rates, program satisfaction, and post-program transitions were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Over ten years, 78 participants (mean age: 43.6 ± 10.5 years) attended the program. The overall participation rate was 74.8 ± 26.8%, with an average satisfaction score of 4.2 ± 0.6. In the final period, participation increased (88.8 ± 16.2%), and satisfaction was higher (4.5 ± 0.6). The employment rate reached 38.5% in the final period, though some participants in earlier periods experienced premature employment departures.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that the program should be continuously adapted to better align with participants' evolving needs, ensuring sustained satisfaction and employment opportunities. Post-session interviews provide valuable insights, allowing staff to refine the program with expert feedback to better support participants.