"It's Okay to Be Slow, Because We're Together"... Steps of Empathy Echo at Eungye Lake in Siheung City

Siheung City Successfully Concludes Walking Contest for "Disability Empathy Month"

Over 350 People with and without Disabilities Walk Together at Eungye Lake Park

Siheung City Public Health Center Hosts Spring Outing to Local Attractions including Turtle Island

Siheung City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lim Byeong-taek) is accelerating its efforts to establish itself as a "disability empathy city" by creating a venue for communication where people with and without disabilities can come together to celebrate "Day of Persons with Disabilities" in April.

'Turtle Walking Contest' site. Provided by Siheung City

As part of "Disability Empathy Month" marking the Day of Persons with Disabilities, Siheung City held the "Turtle Walking Contest" on April 17 around Eungye Lake Park, where people with and without disabilities walked and communicated together. The event was organized by the Siheung City Daeya Social Welfare Center.

The "Turtle Walking Contest" is one of the "Disability Rights Promotion Program Public Projects" led by Siheung City. It was designed to spread correct awareness about disabilities and foster a "disability empathy city." Each year, the city selects and supports projects from various organizations through an open call.

This year marks the third time the Siheung City Daeya Social Welfare Center has been selected for the program. Following last year's success, many citizens participated again this year, creating time for people with and without disabilities to interact and communicate together.

More than 350 people with and without disabilities took part in the event. Along the walking course (about one hour) around Eungye Lake Park, experience booths focused on improving disability awareness were set up. In the event zone, participants enjoyed disability awareness quizzes and a photo zone, which received an enthusiastic response. Walking together in nature, participants reflected on their own preconceptions about disabilities and renewed their sense of the importance of a community where everyone lives together.

Ko Il-woong, Director of the Siheung City Daeya Social Welfare Center, said, "I hope the Turtle Walking Contest will help people with and without disabilities understand and empathize with each other's lives, becoming a small but meaningful step toward a more inclusive society."

Shim Yoonsik, Director of Welfare at Siheung City, remarked, "It was a meaningful time for people with and without disabilities to share daily life and empathize with one another. We will continue to implement a variety of programs to improve awareness of disabilities going forward."

Siheung Public Health Center Holds Spring Outing for People with Disabilities. Provided by Siheung City

Siheung City Public Health Center Holds Spring Outing for People with Disabilities... Experience of Ecological and Maritime Attractions

On the same day, Siheung City Public Health Center operated a "Spring Outing for Vitality Promotion" program to support social participation among local people with disabilities. This outing was planned to bring vitality to the daily lives of rehabilitation health room users, who usually have difficulty going outdoors.

Participants visited Gaetgol Ecological Park, where they toured the salt warehouse exhibition and experienced the region's history. In the afternoon, they boarded a double-decker city tour bus to explore Turtle Island and the Siwha Lake area. At the Turtle Island Promotion Center, they learned about Siheung's marine leisure infrastructure and developed a greater interest in the local community.

They also admired the natural scenery around Siwha Lake and, through their visit to the Turtle Island Promotion Center, gained insights into Siheung's tourism resources and marine leisure infrastructure, further increasing their interest in the region.

The program was structured around hands-on experiences, allowing participants to naturally engage in physical activity, and it also positively impacted the formation of social relationships among participants through communication.

One participant shared, "It was very meaningful to visit and experience various places in person, and I enjoyed having the opportunity to communicate with others."

Lee Hyeongjeong, Director of the Siheung City Public Health Center, stated, "We will continue to promote a variety of rehabilitation programs utilizing local resources to improve the health and expand the social participation of people with disabilities."

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