Various Events to Improve Disability Awareness... Barrier-Free Forest Trail Exploration and 'Journey into Culture' Held
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) joined hands with disability organizations in Seongbuk-gu to carry out barrier-free exploration and disability awareness improvement campaigns for people with disabilities and their families.
On the 4th, the Seongbuk-gu Disabled Persons' Organizations Federation (President Shin Kang-seop) took about 60 people with disabilities and volunteers on a short forest trip to Buk Seoul Dream Forest.
The trip, conducted in compliance with social distancing, provided an opportunity for both people with and without disabilities to heal together while walking along a comfortable and safe barrier-free forest trail.
An event official explained the purpose, saying, "This program was prepared to spread the goals and values of Seongbuk as a barrier-free city through the barrier-free forest trail experience."
On the 17th, the Seongbuk-gu Gomduri Volunteer Association (President Jang Jae-ho) held an outdoor cultural experience for about 50 people with disabilities and volunteers.
Participants toured Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and enjoyed the beautiful views of Janganmun and Hwaseomun gates, experiencing the wisdom and ingenuity of ancestors who introduced the latest technology at the time of construction.
Participant Seo Ji* (56) said, "Due to COVID-19, I stayed mostly indoors, but coming outside feels like my chest is opening up," and added, "Viewing beautiful cultural heritage with others who have the same disability naturally made me feel happy to be together."
On the 19th, the Seongbuk-gu Korean Physical Disability Welfare Association (President Park Rae-jang) held a disability awareness promotion and exhibition.
The event, held at the entrance of the Seongbuk-gu Disabled Persons' Organizations Federation (Opaesan-ro 3-gil 95) and the first-floor Dream Sharing Cafe, saw active participation from related organizations such as the Seongbuk Visual Disability Welfare Center, Seongbuk Disabled Family Support Center, Happy Work (a happy job program for people with disabilities), the Disabled Persons' Organizations Federation, and the Disabled Sports Association.
The street promotion campaign for correct understanding of disability human rights, photo exhibitions by disability type, universal design exhibitions, and experience promotion booths by disability organizations provided correct understanding and information about disabilities, helping to reduce social prejudice and rejection.
Additionally, on the same day, the Seongbuk-gu Disabled Persons' Organizations Federation and "Safe Space People and Environment" signed a business agreement to support quarantine supplies and provide home quarantine services and welfare services for vulnerable groups, adding significance to the event.
Seongbuk-gu designated the week from the 19th to the 25th as Disability Awareness Improvement Promotion Week. The Senior Welfare Division and the Seongbuk-gu Disabled Persons' Organizations Federation collaborated to produce, distribute, and promote a leaflet titled "Understanding Universal Design for Everyone."
The leaflet contains the vision of creating a barrier-free city Seongbuk that goes beyond barrier-free public spaces and buildings to realize universal design that ensures diversity and universality, allowing all people to use environments, information, and services regardless of age, body size, disability, or ability.
On the 23rd, the Seongbuk-gu Green Transportation Disabled Association (President Kwon Moon-hyun) hosted a campaign to improve awareness of transportation disabilities. About 70 participants, including people with disabilities, local residents, and volunteers, gathered near exits 3 and 4 of Gireum Station and surrounding areas to share activities and information related to traffic accidents, welfare, and human rights for people with disabilities.
Many citizens responded positively to the campaign, which aimed to prevent disabilities caused by traffic accidents through banners, placards, leaflets, and photo exhibitions.
Donations from the Korea Transportation Safety Authority to the Seongbuk-gu Disabled Persons' Organizations Federation, including 2,400 masks, 200 hot packs, 20 canes for the elderly, and 150 back scratchers, were distributed to 200 people with disabilities using local institutions.
Seongbuk-gu Mayor Lee Seung-ro stated, "We plan to carry out various projects in cooperation with people with disabilities and the local community to promote economic independence, protect rights, and improve welfare for people with disabilities. We ask for active participation and cooperation to realize a comfortable and safe Seongbuk city for both people with and without disabilities."
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