OUTSIDE VOICES - THE DAILY EXPERIENCES OF JAPANESE WITH DISABILITIES IN LATER LIFE

In-depth, focused interviews were conducted to explore the daily exper iences of a sample of older Japanese with disabilities. The respondent s indicated that they were living adequately with the support of gover nment, family, friends, and their own ingenuity. Boredom, loneliness, ostracism, and concern for the future were reported, however. The majo r themes that emerged from the interviews were consistency in daily li fe, dependency, belongingness, and marginality. The implications for e ducation are discussed.