Gangbuk-gu Promotes 'Creating a Village Without Barriers' Project to Improve Disability Awareness

7-8th Barrier-Free Walking Distance Event and Disability Awareness Instructor Training... 'Movie Journey' for Rest and Communication of Families with Disabilities Runs Until December 29

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangbuk-gu (District Mayor Park Kyum-soo) is actively carrying out the "Barrier-Free Village Creation" project to improve residents' awareness of disabilities.

The purpose is to create a community without difficulties in all areas of life for people with disabilities, including communication, information access, facility use, labor, and cultural and sports activities.

The project was selected as a public-private governance agenda last year and received strong support at a large public forum for solving community issues, starting this year. In the first half of the year, smooth project execution was difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in the second half, it has been conducted mainly through small-scale events by strictly adhering to quarantine rules and dispersing participants.

On the 7th, the district held the "Barrier-Free Path Social Distancing Walking Event." The barrier-free path is a walking trail created by lowering the slope of part of the Opaesan foothill trail so that people with mobility difficulties can use it comfortably, using eco-friendly wooden decks to prevent wheelchair wheels from getting stuck.

To prevent COVID-19, the program was divided into three sessions, with 20 people walking the trail for 20 minutes per session. The district also set up experience booths to raise participants' awareness of disabilities.

On the 7th and 8th, disability awareness improvement instructor training was held for 14 local residents, including people with disabilities and their families. On the 7th, participants learned about disability awareness, including human rights and anti-discrimination for people with disabilities, laws and systems related to disability employment promotion and vocational rehabilitation. On the 8th, they focused on technical aspects necessary for lectures, such as speech skills and voice training.

Additionally, from November 10 to December 29, every Tuesday, the district will hold "Today You Are the Star - Movie Journey." "Movie Journey" is a program for people with disabilities and their families to relax and communicate together while watching movies. The district plans to practice social distancing by renting a movie theater and leaving one seat empty between viewers.

Park Kyum-soo, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, "Since the Barrier-Free Village Creation project was prepared with strong support from residents, we will make every effort to promote it," adding, "We will strive to create a society where people with disabilities and their family members live together within the community."

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