Incheon City Launches 'Nation's Only' Welfare Program for Disabled People... Support for Self-Reliance Fund Provided

Support for Raising 10 Million Won Lump Sum for Independent Living of People with Developmental Disabilities
Launch of Disability Welfare Platform and Formation of 'Disability Arts Troupe' in Second Half
Strengthening Care with 24-Hour Activity Support and After-School Activity Services

Incheon Mayor Park Nam-chun is announcing the 'Incheon Welfare Baseline,' which sets minimum and appropriate standards in five areas closely related to citizens' lives: income, health, housing, education, and care. 2020.10.29 [Photo by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City will invest 285.2 billion KRW in the welfare budget for people with disabilities this year, an increase of 28.6 billion KRW from last year, and will actively promote welfare projects for people with disabilities that are uniquely implemented only in Incheon nationwide.

First, the city will implement a support project from May to help individuals with developmental disabilities, whose income levels are lower compared to other disabilities, prepare self-reliance funds for the transition to adulthood. The target group is developmental disabled persons aged 16 to 39.

If they save 150,000 KRW monthly as their own contribution, the city, county, and district will add an additional 150,000 KRW, allowing them to accumulate about 10 million KRW in a lump sum after three years. The city plans to support 200 people with a budget of 240 million KRW this year.

Additionally, to allow people with disabilities to fully express their musical talents and creativity, the city will launch the nation’s first '(tentative name) Disabled Artists Troupe' in the second half of this year.

The city will operate the troupe as a vocational rehabilitation facility for people with disabilities, provide professional lesson programs, and actively offer performance opportunities at city commemorative ceremonies and events. Currently, 34 vocational rehabilitation facilities for people with disabilities operate in the region, with a budget of approximately 12.7 billion KRW allocated this year.

Furthermore, to support people with disabilities who wish to become independent after leaving care facilities, the city will operate the 'Incheon Disabled Housing Transition Support Center' in Seonhak-dong, Yeonsu-gu.

The center will provide customized services from the preparation stage for independence to stable settlement in the community, supporting deinstitutionalization and independent living through independent living housing and initial settlement funds for people with disabilities.

The city recently launched and is operating the 'Incheon Disability Welfare Platform' website.

As the first online communication channel established among local governments nationwide, it allows users to check the status and operating programs of all 227 facilities in Incheon with a single click and easily register on waiting lists for desired facilities. There is also a section where users can communicate online with officials from the city’s Disability Welfare Division.

The 'Provision of Posture Maintenance Devices and Mobility Devices for People with Disabilities' project, implemented since 2004, is recognized as a unique representative welfare project for people with disabilities in Incheon, possessing technology for manufacturing posture maintenance devices related to disabilities and specialized personnel, making it difficult for other cities and provinces to benchmark.

The project supports posture maintenance devices and mobility devices, which are posture and body shape assistive devices tailored to each individual’s body type, including those integrated into strollers and wheelchairs. This year, the addition of cutting-edge equipment such as 3D printers, 3D scanners, and CNC (advanced wood processing) will enable the provision of more precise assistive devices.

Moreover, to alleviate waiting lists for day care facilities for people with disabilities, the city will add 16 care personnel across 10 facilities, and from next month, will establish and operate a shelter for victims with disabilities to provide temporary protection and social rehabilitation support.

The number of recipients for activity support services for persons with severe disabilities will be expanded to 920, an increase of 80 from last year, with additional city funding support. For those with the most severe disabilities requiring constant care, 24-hour activity support services will be provided.

An Incheon city official stated, "We will expand care services for people with disabilities considering disability types and household characteristics, and focus on discovering new projects that people with disabilities genuinely want."

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