Nowon-gu Hosts 'Disabled Persons Healthy Madang' Event

From 9 AM to 12 PM on the 31st, at the parking lot area of Seoul Municipal Northern Disabled Welfare Center
Featuring Health Experience Yard, Healing Yard, Medical Assistive Device Experience and Promotion Yard
Supporting the daily lives of people with disabilities under the theme "Sharing Together, Always by Our Side"

Nowon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will hold the 'Disability Health Festival' around the parking lot of the Seoul Metropolitan Northern Disabled Welfare Center from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the 31st.

According to the '2023 Disability Survey Results' announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on April 30, 84.8% of people with disabilities aged 19 and older have chronic diseases. Comparing those aged 30 and above, the prevalence of hypertension among people with disabilities is 52.9%, which is higher than the 34.8% of the general population. This highlights the need for community interest in improving health management capabilities for people with disabilities.

Under the theme of "Sharing Together, Always by Your Side," this event is an experiential program designed to help people with disabilities in the community live healthy and vibrant daily lives through health campaigns in various fields including rehabilitation and medical checkups.

The venue is divided into three main zones, each operating various detailed programs according to their themes.

First is the Health Experience Zone. It is prepared considering the health characteristics of people with disabilities who have a high prevalence of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. The themed booths, consisting of the 'Cardiovascular Zone,' 'Checkup Zone,' and 'Oriental Medicine Zone,' offer various tests to check physical and mental health conditions, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol measurement, vascular health tests, gait analysis, and oral condition examinations.

Participants can receive information and screenings for chronic disease prevention, take care of their health through oriental medicine therapies, or participate in healing programs for stress relief, thus managing both physical and mental health simultaneously.

In the Healing Zone, physical therapists provide consultations and guidance on rehabilitation exercises, and visually impaired massage therapists offer massage services that help relieve muscle tension and improve blood circulation.

At the Assistive Device Experience and Promotion Zone, visitors can try AI-based communication devices such as 'robotic assistive devices' with medication reminders and real-time weather updates, as well as 'manual-electric wheelchairs' that combine manual and electric functions. Additionally, various disability health management projects and information are available, including a clothing reform project that guarantees clothing choices for people with disabilities who have difficulty wearing ready-made clothes.

Meanwhile, as of 2024, the number of registered people with disabilities in Nowon-gu is 26,375, the second highest among Seoul’s autonomous districts. The district is strengthening welfare systems for people with disabilities, who are members of the community, and promoting various projects to create a barrier-free local culture without discrimination between people with and without disabilities. These include the creation of barrier-free forest trails and operating the nation’s first disability-friendly beauty salon, 'Hair Cafe The Hue.'

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, stated, "Through this event, we will provide various supports and programs so that people with disabilities in the region can lead healthy and vibrant lives," adding, "We will create a better Nowon through community solidarity."

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