Gwanak-gu Provides 500,000 KRW Support for Transportation Costs of Tourism Activities for Disabled Persons

From October, Nationwide Travel Support for Disabled Using Buses Including Fuel and Transportation Costs... New Social Security System for Mobility-Impaired Disabled 'Tourism Activity Transportation Cost Support,' First Attempt by Autonomous District

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) is supporting the ‘travel activity transportation costs’ to enable mobility-impaired disabled individuals, who find outdoor activities difficult during the autumn foliage season, to travel conveniently and freely.

Compared to the general public, disabled people have fewer opportunities to enjoy culture and leisure. In particular, wheelchair users face difficulties participating in tourism activities due to a lack of transportation options for long-distance travel and the financial burden of renting vehicles equipped for wheelchairs.

The district completed consultations with the Ministry of Health and Welfare last September to establish a new social security system supporting transportation costs for disabled people’s tourism activities. This is the first attempt by a local government to overcome institutional limitations and actively facilitate wide-area mobility for wheelchair users.

According to relevant laws, the district cannot directly operate special transportation equipped for wheelchair boarding, so it supports transportation costs by using disabled buses operated by other organizations rather than direct operation, thereby assisting disabled people’s convenience in tourism travel.

Starting in October, groups or gatherings of five or more people including at least one wheelchair user will receive support for transportation costs when using wheelchair-accessible disabled buses for cultural and leisure tourism activities.

The available disabled buses include the Seoul Facilities Corporation’s ‘Seoul Disabled Bus’ and the Seoul Tourism Foundation’s ‘Danurim Bus and Minivan,’ with drivers provided.

The support targets disabled individuals residing in Gwanak-gu and their families, groups, or gatherings. The condition is that at least one wheelchair user must be on board, and to avoid concentration in specific groups or gatherings, the annual usage is limited to three times.

The usage period is from the day of use up to a maximum of 2 nights and 3 days, and the operation area covers any region accessible by land transportation.

Applicants can apply for bus use through the websites of the Seoul Facilities Corporation and Seoul Tourism Foundation operating agencies, and after returning from the trip, apply to the district for transportation cost support. All travel-related expenses such as fuel, tolls, parking fees, and travel insurance are supported up to 500,000 KRW per trip.

The district provides various policies such as support for repair costs of mobility devices for the disabled, wheelchair rental services, customized ramp installation, and electric mobility safety education to offer life-oriented customized welfare services that enable mobility-vulnerable groups like the disabled to live safely and conveniently.

Additionally, to promote the stability of disabled people’s lives and enhance their social participation, starting next year, the district plans to support insurance enrollment and premiums for accidents occurring during the operation of electric mobility devices, with related ordinances currently being drafted.

Mayor Park Jun-hee stated, “Restrictions on mobility for disabled people are fundamental barriers that limit social participation and cultural enjoyment rights, so more detailed policy consideration is needed to guarantee mobility rights for the disabled. We will continue to spare no support so that disabled people can live happy lives just like non-disabled people.”

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