[Seoul District News] Gangdong-gu Awards Certificates of Commendation to 40 Exemplary Persons with Disabilities and Welfare Contributors on the 42nd Disability Day... Gangnam-gu Presents Appreciation Letters to 36 Contributors to Disability Welfare Improvement... Disability Awareness Experience Booths and Art Exhibitions Prepared... Gangbuk-gu to Hold the 31st Disability One-Heart Festival on the 22nd at 1 PM at Gangbuk Culture and Arts Center Grand Theater
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu held the ‘42nd Disability Day’ commemorative event on the 19th at the Nakseongdae Park Gateball Dome, hosted by the Gwanak-gu Federation of Disabled Persons’ Organizations.
‘Disability Day’ is a legally designated commemorative day established on April 20 every year to broaden understanding of people with disabilities and to encourage their rehabilitation motivation.
Under the theme ‘Beautiful Companionship Beyond Differences,’ this event was held with about 250 people with disabilities and their families, considering the COVID-19 situation.
The event proceeded with a ceremony awarding plaques of appreciation from the president of the Gwanak-gu Federation of Disabled Persons’ Organizations to those who contributed to the welfare of people with disabilities in the local community, followed by congratulatory speeches from guests and a performance by an invited singer.
Especially before the event started, opportunities to strengthen the safety capabilities of people with disabilities were provided through safety education on electric mobility aids by the Gwanak Police Station and disaster preparedness safety education including fire prevention by the Gwanak Fire Station.
Eun Jun-young, president of the Gwanak-gu Federation of Disabled Persons’ Organizations, said in his commemorative speech, “I hope this event will be a precious time for solidarity to create a society where ‘people with disabilities are rightful members of society’ and ‘everyone can be happy as they are,’ by living together beyond differences.”
A district official stated, “We will continue to actively prepare policies for a better life for people with disabilities and their families and improve the environment so that people with disabilities do not face inconveniences in daily life. Furthermore, we will strive to ensure that people with disabilities live healthy and equal lives alongside neighbors, just like non-disabled people.”
Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hoon) held a grand festival yesterday, the 20th, to commemorate Disability Day.
Now in its 42nd year, this commemorative event has become a place of harmony where people with and without disabilities gather annually to break down prejudices and pledge a world without discrimination. Moreover, the event has become a meaningful time to improve awareness of disabilities and foster a sense of community.
Hosted by the ‘Gangdong-gu Disability Day Event Promotion Council,’ composed of 14 heads of disability organizations and facilities in Gangdong-gu, and organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Association of the Physically Disabled Gangdong Branch (Branch Chief Jang Hee-bae), the event awarded commendations to 40 exemplary people with disabilities and contributors to disability welfare in the region (30 commendations from the district mayor / 10 from the district council chairman) to express gratitude for their efforts and achievements.
Various performances were prepared, starting with the screening of award-winning works from last year’s Disability Awareness Improvement UCC Contest. Participants shared a meal provided by the organizers, watched videos introducing disability welfare systems produced by the district, and viewed records of activities from each organization and facility. The event continued with celebratory performances that received great enthusiasm from attendees.
The celebratory performances, hosted by announcer Jo Chung-hyun, featured singer Park Se-wook (winner of ‘Voice Trot’), singer Seo Ji-o (hit song ‘Dollido’), singer James King (hit song ‘You Are Perfect’), traditional Korean musician Jo Ella (hit song ‘Nangam-hane’), and comedian Lee Jung-pyo (Pumba), providing an enjoyable time for people with disabilities and their families alike.
Lee Jung-hoon, mayor of Gangdong-gu, said, “I congratulate that this year, with the lifting of social distancing measures, the commemorative event, which had been held in a simplified form due to COVID-19 until last year, can finally bring everyone together in harmony. With the vision of ‘Companion Welfare Gangdong,’ where people with and without disabilities walk together, I will continue to do my best so that all members of the community can live happily together.”
Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jung Soon-gyun) held the ‘42nd Disability Day Commemoration and Disability Awareness Improvement Event’ on the 20th at 2 p.m. at the Mimiwi Gangnam Seum Center under the theme ‘Together in Harmony, Together in Great Resonance.’
The event was organized by the ‘Gangnam-gu Federation of Disabled Persons’ Organizations and Facilities’ and was held face-to-face to encourage people with disabilities who have faced difficulties due to social distancing.
The program began with a performance by the specialized disabled arts group ‘Bridge On Ensemble,’ followed by a ceremony presenting certificates of appreciation to 36 contributors who devoted themselves to the health and rights of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the first floor of the Mimiwi Gangnam Seum Center, a disability awareness improvement experience booth was operated to promote the rights of people with disabilities, and various attractions were provided, including an exhibition of artworks by disabled artists.
Jung Soon-gyun, mayor of Gangnam-gu, said, “During the 7th term of the civilian administration, Gangnam-gu has continuously developed customized welfare policies that enable the independence of people with disabilities to realize an ‘inclusive welfare city’ where I, you, and all of us are happy. Going forward, Gangnam-gu will continue to play the role of the ‘Mother City,’ the leading city of Korea, sharing community values and living together.”
Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Kyum-soo) will hold the 42nd Disability Day One-Heart Festival on the 22nd at 1 p.m. at the Gangbuk Culture and Arts Center Grand Theater.
With about 350 participants including people with disabilities, their families, and volunteers, this event is sponsored by Gangbuk-gu and hosted by the Gangbuk-gu Federation of Disabled Persons’ Organizations. The purpose is to raise the rehabilitation and independence will of people with disabilities and to pursue community integration in Gangbuk-gu by holding a festival together with people with and without disabilities. This year marks the 31st One-Heart Festival.
The event will run until 4 p.m., starting with pre-event performances such as belly dance, aerobics, and traditional Korean music, followed by the main event and celebrity congratulatory performances. Notably, during the main event, there will be an awards ceremony recognizing contributors to the promotion of disability welfare in areas such as human rights, medical care, education, and vocational rehabilitation. Awards include two from the Seoul Mayor and ten from the district mayor.
If wheelchair seating is insufficient in the grand theater, attendees can watch the event via monitors installed in the first-floor lobby and exhibition hall. Additionally, due to limited parking spaces, the district plans to open the Gangbuk-gu Council parking lot free of charge for vehicle users with disabilities who may experience inconvenience.
Park Kyum-soo, mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “I hope this event will serve as an opportunity to narrow the perception gap between people with and without disabilities and to eliminate discrimination and prejudice against people with disabilities. We will continue to implement various projects so that those facing difficulties in activities can participate more actively in the local community.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
