Gwangjin-gu Opens 'Nongain Shelter' to Support Hearing and Speech Impaired Individuals

The 12th Deaf Shelter Opens Among Seoul's 25 Districts... Sign Language Interpretation Center Also Expands and Relocates... Specialized Interpretation Support and Various Programs for Hearing and Speech Impaired

On the 17th, Kim Seon-gap, Mayor of Gwangjin District, visited the Shelter for the Deaf and had a conversation with the center director and sign language interpreters.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gwangjin-gu (District Mayor Kim Seon-gap) has expanded and relocated the Sign Language Interpretation Center supporting the hearing and speech impaired, and established a Deaf Shelter together.

The existing Sign Language Interpretation Center was approximately 82㎡ (25 pyeong) in size and provided interpretation services for the hearing and speech impaired, but it faced difficulties in offering welfare services due to a lack of educational and leisure spaces.

Accordingly, the district expanded and relocated the Sign Language Interpretation Center to Guui-dong (417 Achasan-ro) and newly opened a "Deaf Shelter" to provide more diverse welfare services. The location is adjacent to Guui Station on Subway Line 2, enhancing accessibility for users.

The Deaf Shelter and Sign Language Interpretation Center cover a total area of 255㎡ (77 pyeong) and are equipped with various convenience facilities such as a shelter and rest area, office, and sign language education room for the deaf who find it difficult to use general welfare facilities.

The Deaf Shelter is an open space for the hearing and speech impaired, operating from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.

Additionally, various programs such as deaf socialization education and cultural leisure classes, as well as customized welfare services including education and counseling, will be newly provided once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes.

The Sign Language Interpretation Center employs a total of four sign language interpreters who provide professional interpretation support for the hearing and speech impaired. Disabled individuals requiring interpretation services during visits to hospitals or public institutions can use the service at any time.

District Mayor Kim Seon-gap said, “There are 1,750 hearing and speech impaired individuals in our district, accounting for 14% of all disabled persons. We expect the Gwangjin-gu Deaf Shelter and Sign Language Interpretation Center to serve as a place for information exchange and play a central role in helping them adapt socially.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.