Gwangju Seo-gu to Hold 'Disability Day' Commemoration Ceremony on the 20th

Published 19 Apr.2023 13:10(KST)

Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kim Ikang) is the only autonomous district in Gwangju to host the ‘43rd Disability Day’ commemorative ceremony led by the government on the 20th at the Seo-gu Office Deulbul Hall.

According to Seo-gu on the 19th, the event held under the theme “No discrimination, equal opportunities, greater happiness” will include awards for exemplary persons with disabilities, disability volunteer awards, outstanding companies promoting employment of persons with disabilities, and a cultural and artistic performance by persons with disabilities.

Seogu District carried out volunteer activities at Cafe Holder, a business opened to support the independence of hearing and speech-impaired graduates of Inhwa School, ahead of the Disabled Persons Day on the 20th.
[Photo by Seogu]

Additionally, as a side event, an exhibition of artworks by disabled artists and guidance on disability welfare facilities and specialized policy projects will be held in the lobby on the first floor of Seo-gu Office. In front of the Seo-gu Office building, public-private cooperation events such as sales of products from protected workshops for persons with disabilities, employment counseling for persons with disabilities, and a simple self-support market will take place.

Seo-gu is taking the lead in promoting the rights and interests of persons with disabilities through disability welfare policies that are ahead of other autonomous districts.

This year, Seo-gu is also promoting the ‘Seo-gu Type Disability Employment Project’ with a self-budget of 210 million KRW, the first among Gwangju autonomous districts without national or city subsidies.

The plan is to provide tailored labor participation opportunities such as advocacy activities, cultural and artistic activities, and social contribution activities for persons with severe disabilities who have faced high employment barriers, thereby changing perceptions of disabilities and the paradigm of labor.

To this end, Seo-gu is recruiting 15 persons with severe disabilities and 3 dedicated staff members to participate in the project.

In particular, Seo-gu is gaining attention by incorporating a Brand Identity (BI) into the severe disability employment project.

In Geumho 1-dong, known as the ‘Win-Win Village,’ campaigns for a barrier-free city and the promotion of disability human rights will be conducted with the aim of enabling everyone to enjoy a happy life without discrimination or prejudice.

In Yang 3-dong, the ‘Youthful Memories and Art Village,’ craft activities using discarded banners and everyday exhibitions utilizing idle spaces will be promoted, while in Chipyeong-dong, known as the ‘Green Wave, Gamtan Village,’ activities such as reduction plogging and kimchi sharing will be carried out.

Moreover, Seo-gu will produce sign language videos for various policies and daily civil complaint information to improve public information accessibility for persons with hearing and speech disabilities.

Unlike the central government and other local governments that deploy non-disabled sign language interpreters, Seo-gu plans to support persons with hearing and speech disabilities to directly plan, film, appear in, and edit the videos.

Mayor Kim Ikang of Seo-gu said, “For persons with disabilities to be happy without feeling discrimination or inconvenience is also essential for realizing a city where all citizens are happy,” adding, “We will make this year the inaugural year of ‘Barrier-Free City Seo-gu’ and create a ‘Together Seo-gu’ where no one is left behind and everyone lives together.”

Meanwhile, as part of policies to overcome low birth rates, Seo-gu is the only autonomous district in Gwangju to provide childbirth support funds to couples with disabilities, and has simplified the issuance process of disability welfare cards from six steps to three, offering a one-stop delivery service that allows recipients to receive welfare cards at their residence or office.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dongho baekok@asiae.co.kr