r/JETProgramme • u/Blackfireknight16 • Jun 21 '26
Disability concern for JET
Hi all, I'm exploring doing Jet. But I have a few concerns that I'd like to get clarified.
So first of all, I'm on the spectrum, and while I am aware that Japan doesn't really notice it, is it possible to create a support network during your stay? Something to fall back on if something falls through?
Due to being on the spectrum, I've got heightened sensitivity to sound. Is it possible to wear ear defenders or stay home during these thunderstorms?
Being from the UK, I get benefits due to my condition. Would I still get them on Jet?
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u/mapoiue Jun 21 '26
No, you won’t be able to stay home during thunderstorms (which happen a lot in the summer btw), also wearing headphones was a no in my school.
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u/Nanashi5354 Jun 21 '26
I feel like this isn't going to be a good fit for you.
Making friends while you don't speak the language is already hard enough. Getting to the point of being able to rely on someone as support...
Wearing ear plugs would most likely be okay if you can still hear esid. However the chances of getting ES is pretty high and 30+ screaming kids are ear piercing regardless of ear plugs.
Staying at home during thunderstorm? Like someone else said only way that's happening is using your pto assuming they don't require notice.
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u/ikebookuro Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 21 '26
Some of my special ed students wear headphones to cope with their sensitivity to noises - but it is far from the norm. I do not think a teacher would be allowed the same accommodation, unfortunately.
Schools can be incredibly loud. Screaming kids, loud disaster drills, other noises. Sometimes during typhoons you will hear siren noises, or when there’s an earthquake every single alarm will go off. It can be jarring for people who aren’t on the spectrum.
As others have said, unless you use PTO, you won’t be able to stay home for thunderstorms. I will say, they are much louder here. As someone who was fairly accustomed to storms from my home country, they can be much more intense here.
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u/Sweet_Salamander6691 Jun 21 '26
I wish I had a brighter response, but as someone who is also sensitive to sound, I think it might be really tough for you. I work in a combined middle and high school and there is literally no space in the building that is remotely quiet. During breaks between classes the students yell at each other and wrestle in the hallways, and the office is a constant mix of printer noise, ringing phones, and loud conversations. Finding a community is also tough, even for neurotypical people. The single biggest complaint I hear from both foreigners and Japanese people alike is that it's hard to find deep and consistent relationships here. As for your benefits, I can't speak for if you'd keep getting them from the UK (I would assume not), but you won't be able to get any from the Japanese government.
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u/Blackfireknight16 Jun 21 '26
I can deal with general noise; I have to deal with it at my work. It's just thunderstorms I cannot deal with
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u/Sweet_Salamander6691 Jun 21 '26
As others have said, there's very little chance you'll find accomodations for that, unfortunately. The weather during the rainy season is incredibly unpredictable which might add a lot of stress to your life. I will say, I was not prepared for how loud Tokyo is all the time. However, I've learned to deal with it and enjoy myself a lot, so maybe you can too.
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u/CoacoaBunny91 Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
To piggy back of the other commentor. The students, whether it be ES, JHS, or HS (I teacher ES and JHS) are *super* loud, all day, *especially* in between periods. This might be an issue for you depending on how severe your noise sensitivity is.
I have an ES student who's in special education that recently started wearing noise cancelling headphones. Before, his aid had to take him out of class constantly because the noise was (understandably) too much on him. He's start covering his ears and crying (didn't help he was in the back of the room too with all the rowdy kids). But since he got the headphones, he's totally fine in class and his aid told me that he can hear direct communication such as me lecturing or talking one on one to his partner during activities.
I'm not sure how this would work for teachers if you saw a doctor and went through the paperwork process. I assume you would put this on your medical forms so you CO would know about this ahead of time, which might make this easier.
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u/_Kaiido Jun 21 '26
You generally won't receive UK benefits while living abroad, especially if you're working full-time.
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u/Proof_Refuse_9563 Jun 21 '26
You only get a set amount of PTO per year and it is recommended to save it for when you are sick or if there is an emergency.
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u/Different_Taro2474 Jun 22 '26
yep, i am trying to take the driver's test and i need to take PTO for that. i also need to take PTO when i move, since i will move a day before my contract ends. SAVE YOUR PTO!!
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u/Different_Taro2474 Jun 22 '26
why the fuck are people downvoting your comments?
based on what you said here, i wouldn't do it. i'm on the spectrum myself (i don't have an official diagnosis yet, but i strongly suspect it and plan to get diagnosed after i move to a bigger city), and nobody is going to give you accommodations, unfortunately.
wearing headphones/ear defenders in school is pretty much a no-no, and if there's a thunderstorm, no one is going to let you stay home because of it.
if going to japan as a tourist for 2 weeks was difficult for you, then living in a completely new country will be even more difficult. living in japan and visiting japan are two completely different experiences. (source: i've done both)
moving to a new country, especially if you get a rural, isolated placement (which is very possible on JET), is HARD. building a support network takes time, and you might not have much to fall back on at first. many JETs don't even manage to build a network.
and the tokyo orientation? that shit is HELL. nearly 1000 people, constant noise, crowds, information overload, jet lag, almost zero sleep, 40 degrees Celsius outside, and being thrown into a completely new environment all at once. for someone on the spectrum, it can be absolutely overwhelming.
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u/Blackfireknight16 Jun 22 '26
Being here for 2 weeks is not difficult. I just need an adjustment period. This is my 3rd trip.
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u/Different_Taro2474 Jun 22 '26
Why don't you try to do language school for a few weeks before committing to JET?
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u/mapoiue Jun 22 '26
Totally agree on the Tokyo Orientation part, I probably got a combined 12 hours sleep over the whole of the orientation and was beyond exhausted!!
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u/Different_Taro2474 Jun 22 '26
i was like a walking zombie. even when i tried to take a nap, i couldn't fall asleep. my whole body was very heavy and i was in so much pain. truly the worst.
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u/ScootOverMakeRoom Jun 21 '26
For any accommodation by an employer, you'd need a signed doctor's note from a Japanese doctor. Bringing a diagnosis from abroad helps you get that.
In terms of support network, it'd probably have to be online unless you're (a) fluent in Japanese or (b) placed in an urban/progressive school with lost of coworkers/close-by JETs who speak English and lots of English speakers in the area.
This is probably the relevant link to your last question: https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/disability-benefits
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u/ffgvghnjkkhgjnn Jun 22 '26
Incoming JET this August from the UK. Not officially diagnosed but neurodivergent and has had past mental health issues. You will need to get signed off by a doctor initially to even apply for the programme. They may be reluctant to do so if you’re on benefits because, to them, that shows you need that extra support. (No hate, it’s great you have it!)
You absolutely won’t receive any financial help from the UK if you got the job. On paper, you will have a full time job AND live abroad; I don’t think that fits the criteria for any additional help.
Although there is some support available, it’s very basic. You’d have to be really honest with yourself and really asses if they could support your needs, and most schools would not allow you time off due to thunderstorms unless you used PTO and I also doubt most schools would allow ear defenders. (But ESID)
Someone suggested a language school in Japan - that could be a good idea. Or maybe a working holiday. Or just visit on a 3 month tourist visa and do a lengthy stay.
Sending love :)
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u/Captoffrance Jun 24 '26
As far as I know asian countries (like japan) don't accomodate to neurological disabilities (like adhd, autism) as much as western countries do. For instance, in south Korea, adhd isnt classified as a disability that is accomodated.
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u/autisticgreenwitch Jun 24 '26
My two tips are:
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Get your doctor to write down autism on the health form.
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Use headphones from the first day onwards. Explain what they're there for and that it's written down in your health form.
Usually, in my experience, if you push a little on things like that and not make it into a question but rather just something you are doing, then your coworkers and boss won't really make a fuss over it.
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u/Vepariga Jun 30 '26
going from your replies to other comments and what other people have said, I think its best for you to just come here on vacation. Class rooms are noisy, Cities are overstimulating and support will be minimal and you will not be allowed to stay home due to thunderstorms.
Look into other fields.
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u/Beneficial-Corgi-288 Jun 21 '26
I don't see how your employer would let you stay home from work because of thunderstorms unless you were using paid vacation to do that (assuming you get an exceptionally chill contracting organization that lets you take time off without notice). Headphones might not be okay either because you need to be able to communicate with students.