Gochang-gun Invests 14.4 Billion Won in Projects to Improve Convenience for Disabled People

Published 13 Jan.2023 10:37(KST)

[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk announced on the 13th that it will invest 14.4 billion KRW in 41 projects, including the ‘Disability Convenience Improvement Project,’ to enhance the welfare of local people with disabilities this year.

As a pledge project of the 8th local government administration, the county is accelerating the construction of a Disabled Sports Center and a Lifelong Learning Center for the Disabled.

Gochang-gun Office Building Exterior [Photo by Gochang-gun]

Previously, the county was selected for the ‘Community-based Disabled Sports Center Public Contest Project’ last year, and this year, with a project budget of 1 billion KRW, it plans to proceed with architectural planning and design services to actively promote the project.

The disability pension will support a basic monthly benefit of up to approximately 320,000 KRW, increased by 5% compared to the previous year, and provide 60,000 KRW per month, increased by 50% from the previous year, to mild disabled persons aged 18 or older who are basic livelihood security recipients, helping stabilize the economic life of families with disabilities.

In addition, daytime activity service support has been expanded so that adults with developmental disabilities can spend meaningful daytime hours, and even if they switch to long-term care recipients for the elderly after age 65 and their benefits decrease, they can continue to receive activity support services.

Wages for participants in disability employment, aimed at income security and social participation promotion for people with disabilities, have also been raised (by 9.5% for full-time workers).

In particular, last year, the county conducted a project providing jobs to 10 people with the most severe disabilities for the first time in Jeonbuk (Jeonbuk-type rights-centered customized public job project for people with severe disabilities).

Furthermore, by utilizing community resources (such as disability welfare centers, independent living support centers for people with severe disabilities, day care centers, vocational rehabilitation facilities, and sheltered workshops), opportunities for social participation of people with disabilities will be expanded.

As a new project this year, 30 million KRW will be invested in the Barrier-Free Living Environment Creation Project to lower thresholds at main entrances of restaurants and stores in the county.

Various projects will be carried out to stabilize the lives of registered persons with severe physical disabilities, including blood dialysis fees, wheelchair repair costs, disability registration diagnosis and examination fees, Hi-Pass terminal purchase costs, and distribution of disability newspapers.

County Governor Shim Deokseop said, “I hope this year will be a happier year for people with disabilities and their families,” and added, “We will implement various policies for disability welfare to become a reliable support for local people with disabilities and to create a beautiful journey where all people with disabilities are respected.”