Seoul City Provides 'Wheelchair Assist Cases' to 1,500 Wheelchair-Using Disabled People

Provision of Wheelchair Assistance Cases Considering Physical and Environmental Characteristics of Wheelchair Users
Distributed According to Priority to Low-Income Elementary, Middle, and High School Students and Low-Income Disabled Persons

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 2nd that, following 2020, it will support approximately 1,500 wheelchair users with wheelchair accessory cases (backpacks) to improve the convenience of people with disabilities who use wheelchairs and face difficulties due to the lack of bags suitable for wheelchairs when going out.

The wheelchair accessory case support project was first launched by Seoul in 2020, providing 500 wheelchair users with assistance. According to a satisfaction survey of recipients, both product satisfaction and project effectiveness were found to be high. The wheelchair accessory case (backpack) is designed for easy attachment and detachment to wheelchairs, with all zipper handles made in a loop shape to facilitate use by people with physical and brain lesions disabilities. It also features a large-capacity design to easily store items needed when going out, such as respiratory devices and urinals.

Any wheelchair user registered as a person with a disability in Seoul can apply. Priority is given in the order of low-income elementary, middle, and high school students, low-income individuals, students, and then adults who are not low-income. One item per person is supported, with options to choose size and color. Those who received support last year, recipients of wheelchair accessory cases last year, or residents of other local governments are excluded from eligibility.

Applications are accepted in two rounds at four assistive device centers across Seoul’s regions. The first round is from March 1 to March 31, and the second round is from June 1 to June 30. Applications can be submitted by mail, email, fax, or in person. The first round of applicants will receive their cases on April 20, coinciding with this year’s Disabled Persons Day.

Especially this year, to alleviate the inconvenience of in-person visits, a delivery service by courier has been introduced to make the process more convenient. Kim Seon-soon, Director of Seoul’s Welfare Policy Office, said, “The wheelchair accessory case support project will help people with disabilities lead a more convenient daily life.” She added, “Seoul will continue to listen closely to the field and strive to improve convenience for people with disabilities.”

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