Chungnam to Invest 2.2 Trillion Won in 58 Policies to Improve Welfare for People with Disabilities

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungnam Province will invest 2.2 trillion won from next year until 2027 to improve the level of welfare for persons with disabilities.

On the 20th, the province held the ‘2nd Disabled Welfare Committee Meeting’ and deliberated and resolved this matter.

The meeting was organized to review the 3rd Disabled Welfare Development Plan, which expires this year, reflecting the changed conditions of persons with disabilities and linking it with the administrative direction of the 8th elected provincial government to establish a welfare development plan for persons with disabilities.

The 4th plan is centered on promoting 58 policies under the vision of ‘Realizing a community where persons with disabilities grow powerfully,’ including 13 customized supports by life cycle, 15 measures to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities, 16 measures to eliminate social exclusion of persons with disabilities, and 14 measures to establish a welfare foundation centered on the local community.

The total budget to be invested in implementing these policies is 2.2353 trillion won.

The sector receiving the largest budget allocation is ‘Establishment of a welfare foundation centered on the local community.’ A total of 1.191 trillion won will be invested in this sector over five years starting next year.

The province plans to expand emergency care services for persons with severe disabilities and support short-term and day-care facilities where persons with disabilities can stay, to guarantee the service choice rights of persons with disabilities in welfare services, housing, and self-reliance support.

Additionally, a support system will be created by providing settlement funds to persons with disabilities living outside facilities to enable them to become independent in the community.

The ‘Elimination of social exclusion of persons with disabilities’ will focus on ensuring that persons with disabilities are not marginalized in economic activities, digital/media, mobility, convenience, and safety sectors. The total budget allocated to this sector is 795.9 billion won.

Key projects include expanding social participation opportunities through support for jobs for persons with disabilities and providing insurance premium support for users of electric assistive devices.

‘Customized support by life cycle’ aims to strengthen support in health, childcare, and education sectors according to the needs throughout the life cycle from children and adolescents to old age.

Main projects include the construction of a rehabilitation hospital in the Chungnam area, support for families raising children with disabilities, and operation of local health care centers for persons with disabilities. The province plans to invest 166.3 billion won in policy projects in this sector.

In addition, the province will invest 82.1 billion won in ‘Strengthening the rights of persons with disabilities,’ which comprehensively guarantees rights and social participation in all areas of life.

Major projects include operating and expanding shelters for abused persons with disabilities, supporting sports activities for persons with disabilities, activities to strengthen disability human rights, and operating the Chungnam Korean Sign Language Education Center, with a total project cost of 82.1 billion won.

Kim Seok-pil, Director of the Low Birthrate, Health and Welfare Office of the province, said, “Based on the 4th Disabled Welfare Development Plan, we will do our best to improve the welfare experience of persons with disabilities through public-private-academic cooperation.”

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