The movement for social diversity and inclusion has triggered a paradigm shift toward a social model of disability that aims to eliminate disadvantages for people with disabilities and achieve a just society through changes in the social environment rather than individual change. Under this new paradigm, medicine and medical science need to transform their physical, human, and cultural environments to be inclusive of users and colleagues with disabilities and other minority characteristics. In particular, it is essential to create an environment in which people with disabilities and other minorities can participate as colleagues in the medical profession to reduce health disparities among people with disabilities and to achieve medical care in which no one is left behind.

The University of Tokyo Disability Services Office and the University of Tokyo Hospital have striven to advance the inclusion of individuals with disabilities and to encourage the co-production of research as well as mental health services with peer support workers. In convergence with these endeavors, the Center for Diversity in Medical Education and Research (CDMER) was founded in 2021. The Center aims to establish an environment and culture that facilitates the participation and success of medical professionals with disabilities. For this purpose, it is essential to integrate the perspective of the social model of disability into medical education and promote co-production in the medical field, which is among the most challenging areas that can realize co-production. The Center is involved in various educational and research activities, including managing educational programs for medical students and supporting student-led research.