[News Terms] 'Social Disability' Recognized as Disability Under Consideration

'Social handicapped' refers to disabilities that hinder healthy social life. Factors causing social handicaps include accidental factors such as unemployment, old age, illness, mental and physical disabilities, and fire, as well as social and economic factors arising from contradictions in capitalist production relations, such as poverty, discrimination, and income.

Generally, 'disability' means a significant restriction in daily or social life over a long period due to physical or mental functional decline, loss, abnormality, or damage to parts of the body. In Korea, according to the Disabled Welfare Act, disabilities are classified into 15 types: ▲physical disability ▲brain lesion disability ▲visual disability ▲hearing disability ▲speech disability ▲intellectual disability ▲autism spectrum disorder ▲mental disability ▲kidney disability ▲heart disability ▲respiratory disability ▲liver disability ▲facial disability ▲stoma and urinary diversion disability ▲epilepsy disability. Disabilities are also classified by severity from Grade 1 to Grade 6. Grades 1 to 3 correspond to severe disabilities, and Grades 4 to 6 correspond to mild disabilities.

The National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) is protesting at the platform of Hyehwa Station on Seoul Subway Line 4 in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The World Health Organization (WHO) classified disabilities into three categories in 1980 according to the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH): ▲Impairment ▲Disability ▲Handicap. WHO went further in 2001 by introducing the new International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), stating that "disability is not a problem in itself, but the functional limitations caused by disability are the problem; disability can be overcome socially with support and management; and the issue of disability is not limited to a specific minority group but is a universal issue that can affect anyone."

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 9th the '6th Comprehensive Plan for Persons with Disabilities Policy (2023?2027)', which includes expanding the concept of 'disability' defined medically to include social disabilities. This is an attempt to correct the previously mistaken view of disability as merely a medical impairment, albeit belatedly. Related legislation is currently pending in the National Assembly.

If the bill passes, the concept of disability will expand to include social disabilities such as Hikikomori (reclusive social withdrawal), recognizing them as disabilities eligible for necessary support. Disabled parking spaces, currently available only to registered disabled persons, will also be accessible to pregnant women or patients with leg fractures if their need is recognized.

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