Seoul Gangseo-gu Provides Up to 90% Support for Purchase of 116 Types of Information and Communication Assistive Devices

Registration open until June 18 for registered disabled and national veterans with disability grades; additional support planned for unselected applicants

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) has taken steps to bridge the digital divide for people with disabilities in line with the rapidly approaching non-face-to-face digital era brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The district announced that it will promote the "2021 Assistive Information and Communication Technology Device Distribution Project for People with Disabilities" to help people with disabilities utilize information and communication devices.

The project aims to support the purchase of assistive information and communication devices tailored to the type of disability for those who face physical and economic difficulties in accessing and using information, thereby reducing the information gap and aiding their participation in economic and social activities.

Assistive information and communication devices are auxiliary devices designed to help people with disabilities comfortably use various information devices such as computers and wireless terminals.

Examples include reading magnifiers for the visually impaired, special keyboards for those with physical or brain lesions disabilities, and voice amplifiers for the hearing impaired. These are essential tools to facilitate smooth use of information devices by people with disabilities.

The support targets registered people with disabilities in Gangseo-gu and national veterans who have been assessed with disability grades.

The support amount covers 80-90% of the device price, with the remaining 10-20% being self-funded.

The distributed items include a total of 116 types such as reading magnifiers, braille information terminals, video phones, voice amplifiers, special keyboards, and screen reading software, provided in a customized manner according to the type of disability.

Applicants wishing to receive support must submit an application form along with a disability certificate or national veteran confirmation by June 18, either by visiting or mailing to the district office’s Information and Communication Division or by visiting the nearest community service center in their residential area.

Online applications are also possible through the Assistive Information and Communication Device website.

The district will announce the final recipients based on eligibility and priority on July 16 on the website and notify individuals separately.

Additionally, the district plans to conduct an internal review for applicants who were not selected and provide additional distribution accordingly. A district official stated, “We hope this support project will be a valuable opportunity to expand information access for people with disabilities and reduce the information gap,” adding, “We will continue to promote various projects for information-vulnerable groups.”

Last year, the district supported a total of 78 people through the assistive information and communication device distribution project and additionally selected 64 more applicants internally to provide assistive devices.

For inquiries, contact the Korea Intelligent Information Society Agency or the Gangseo-gu Information and Communication Division.

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