[Side B] "After Deinstitutionalization, I Hope Disability Terms Disappear" Nodul Night School Lead Teacher Cheon Seong-ho (Part 2)

A Proud Minority, A Better World for the Non-Mainstream

An Educational Life with Night School
Also Active as a Full-Time Worker at Nodeul Night School

If Supported Even as Much as the OECD Average
Deinstitutionalization of People with Disabilities Would Be Possible

Representative teacher Cheon Seong-ho (right) is teaching a class at Nodeul Disabled People's Night School. (Provided by Nodeul Disabled People's Night School)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] "I believe it is more appropriate to first enable deinstitutionalization and then make plans, rather than making plans first and then deinstitutionalizing. If we only make plans, deinstitutionalization could take 5 or 10 years. When I meet students at the night school, I see that it is possible for them to learn on their own by meeting people and forming relationships. This is entirely possible when time and space are given, but the facilities are blocking that."

Cheon Seong-ho (49), a full-time activist and teacher representative at Nodeul Disabled Night School, majored in sociology at university and education at graduate school. Before connecting with Nodeul Night School in 2010, he also taught night school classes, mainly literacy education for grandmothers. He started full-time activities at Nodeul Night School in 2018.

"Around 2010, there were efforts for people with disabilities to come out into the local community. Educational activities to work with them were needed. Nodeul Night School was conducting educational activities and fighting for disability rights, and I thought our goals aligned, so I joined."

The students who come to the night school naturally meet and talk with others in the classroom, regaining their identity. He said, "It’s not just about studying; by attending rallies together, many realize that people with disabilities are not unnecessary in society and find meaning in existing as human beings." He also said, "There is also linkage to public jobs, and the process of working and receiving wages through labor is very meaningful to the students."

The Seoul Coalition for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities held a press conference on October 1, 2019, in front of Seoul City Hall, urging the inclusion of the 2020 budget to guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities in Seoul to deinstitutionalization and independent living. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

According to the Health and Welfare Statistical Yearbook (2019), there are currently 1,557 residential facilities for people with disabilities nationwide, housing 29,662 residents. Cheon said, "In facilities, residents eat whatever is given and cannot go out freely even if they want to, so it is not an environment where they can live properly as human beings," and criticized, "The government is delaying deinstitutionalization due to budget issues." He emphasized, "In Korea, the budget related to people with disabilities is about 2.5 trillion won, which is half the level of the OECD standard. If support were at the OECD average level, deinstitutionalization would be possible immediately."

Sweden is one of the countries that promoted deinstitutionalization under national leadership. After the enactment of the Facility Closure Act in 1997, all facilities were forcibly closed as of December 31, 1999. The Swedish government found homes for those who left the facilities and helped social adaptation by assigning staff who had worked with them in the facilities. Although there were many concerns, now, more than 20 years later, it is not difficult to find people with disabilities on the streets of Sweden.

Cheon pointed out again, "We can develop intellectual abilities by meeting people and forming human relationships in society," and said, "Facilities delay social development and human development." Many students have difficulty expressing likes and dislikes or stating their own thoughts due to long-term facility life.

Nodeul Night School could not escape the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). However, the level of government interest was very different from that for regular schools.

"As isolation continued, it became no different from the old facilities, so everyone felt very frustrated. But the Ministry of Education and the education offices only sent out a single official letter to take preventive measures. There was no support to prepare practical prevention measures, which is very disappointing."

A testimonial written by a Nodul Night School student (Provided by Nodul Disabled Night School)

As the COVID-19 situation prolonged, Nodeul Night School allowed half of the students to attend temporary classes and visited homes to meet students. Even at social distancing level 1, there is not enough space, so only half come to the night school. Cheon expressed regret, saying, "I hope the government takes some public responsibility for adult people with disabilities."

The Moon Jae-in administration pledged to establish deinstitutionalization support centers. However, there seems to be little movement so far. If the Deinstitutionalization Support Act is enacted, more budget will be required than now. Nevertheless, this law is the minimum measure for people with disabilities to live as 'one person' in the local community.

Cheon said he hopes the term "people with disabilities" disappears. He said, "My goal is for all people with disabilities to live as one person in the local community, but I cannot achieve this alone," adding, "When systems are established and prejudices disappear, the term 'people with disabilities' will no longer be necessary." He added that he does not know when that will happen.