Health Challenges for People with Disabilities and Our Support for HAP

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one in six people worldwide—around 1.3 billion individuals—live with some form of disability.  Improving access to healthcare for people with disabilities is a global challenge. Many still face barriers when accessing healthcare services and information, often due to limitations in healthcare environments and the way information is provided.

Among people with disabilities, those with intellectual disabilities may find it difficult to communicate changes in their health or describe their symptoms clearly. This can make it harder to communicate with healthcare professionals and to receive ongoing healthcare and support.

About the Healthy Athletes Program (HAP)

HAP is a health support program offered as part of the “Special Olympics*”, an international sports movement for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Through a variety of health screenings, the program helps athletes better understand their health and supports them in enjoying sports and everyday life with greater confidence and safety.

The program provides screenings in seven areas, including vision, oral health, hearing, nutrition and healthy lifestyles, flexibility and balance, and foot health. Healthcare professionals from a wide range of fields—including physicians, optometrists, physical therapists, and nutritionists—volunteer their time and expertise to support the athletes.

Reference: Healthy athletes | Special Olympics

Highlights from the Day of the Event

On the day of the event, our company supported “Opening Eyes,” the vision care discipline of HAP, by assisting with eye examinations for participating athletes. We provided and operated a range of ophthalmic equipment, including the Non-mydriatic Retinal Camera (NW500), Slit Lamp (SL-D701), Auto Kerato-Refractometer (KR-800A), Computerized Tonometer (CT-800A), and Computerized Lensmeter (CL-300PDL).

Approximately 250 athletes took part in the program and received vision screenings, including visual acuity testing and retinal imaging.

Comment from Dr. Kazuyuki Kato

Clinical Director, Healthy Athletes Program – Opening Eyes

“Vision plays an important role not only in sports performance but also in everyday quality of life. In Japan, however, opportunities for regular eye examinations outside of school or workplace health checkups remain limited. For people with disabilities, it can be particularly difficult to communicate vision-related concerns, which means eye conditions may go undetected.
Through HAP, athletes participating in the Special Olympics are provided with opportunities for vision screenings, helping to improve both their athletic performance and overall well-being. We hope to continue raising awareness of the importance of eye health and eye examinations while expanding our support activities in the future.”

Healthcare from the Eye for Everyone

Some eye diseases progress with few noticeable symptoms, making early detection and treatment essential. For people with intellectual disabilities, recognizing or communicating changes in vision can be particularly challenging, underscoring the importance of regular eye health screenings.

Our company aims to realizing “Healthcare from the Eye,” a concept that uses eye examinations to support overall health management. By leveraging advanced screening technologies and digital connectivity, we aim not only to detect eye diseases but also to help identify potential risks of systemic and neurological conditions, encouraging timely medical consultation.

Through initiatives such as HAP, we will continue working toward a society where everyone—including people with disabilities—has access to appropriate health screenings and medical care. By advancing eye care and raising awareness of its importance, we remain dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of people around the world.

*Special Olympics
Special Olympics (SO) is a global sports organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. In Japan, national Summer and Winter Games, bringing together athletes from regional programs across the country, are held every four years.

Reference: About｜Special Olympics