Uniqlo Launches Clothing Reform Support Campaign for People with Disabilities in Collaboration with Seoul City

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] Uniqlo announced on the 24th that it will carry out the 'Clothing Reform Support Campaign for People with Disabilities' for the second consecutive year, in collaboration with the Seoul Assistive Device Center and the Korea Cerebral Palsy Welfare Association.

This campaign aims to provide customized reformed clothing to people with brain lesions who find it difficult to use ready-made clothes due to their disabilities. Assistive technology specialists and tailors from the Korea Cerebral Palsy Welfare Association and the Seoul Assistive Device Center provide personalized reform services after individual consultations with participants.

Uniqlo has participated in this campaign since last year with the purpose of enriching people's lives through clothing, supporting clothing and donations worth approximately 200 million KRW. Thanks to these efforts, 72% of last year's participants responded that their daily lives became more convenient through this campaign.

This year, the campaign will expand its implementation area from Seoul to Busan, supporting 800 people with disabilities with 4,000 pieces of clothing and an operating budget of 130 million KRW, totaling approximately 250 million KRW. Additionally, a clothing reform guidebook for people with disabilities called 'WEpumdamdang' will be produced and posted on the campaign application website.

Applications will be accepted until the 22nd of next month. Detailed information can be found on the websites of the Korea Cerebral Palsy Welfare Association or the Seoul Assistive Device Center.

A Uniqlo representative said, "We hope that through this campaign, more people with disabilities will be able to resolve inconveniences caused by clothing and experience a more convenient daily life," adding, "Uniqlo plans to continue various activities that contribute to marginalized groups and local communities to create a better world through the power of clothing."

Under the sustainable management philosophy of 'Making Our Society Beautiful Through the Power of Clothing,' Uniqlo is conducting various social contribution activities for people with disabilities. Notably, it actively employs people with severe disabilities, who are in the employment blind spot, aiming to have at least one disabled employee per store. To systematize the hiring of people with disabilities, Uniqlo signed an agreement with the Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled in 2010. In 2019, Uniqlo Korea's employment rate of people with disabilities was 4.2%, exceeding the mandatory employment rate of 3.1% designated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.