Nowon-gu, the Secret to Becoming a City Where People with Disabilities Live Well?

Electric Mobility Device Insurance Deductible Reduced from 100,000 KRW to 50,000 KRW, Benefiting Approximately 1,200 People

Wage Support for One Cook Working 6 Hours a Day at Four Small-Scale Vocational Rehabilitation Facilities for People with Disabilities

Establishment of Electric Mobility Device Driving Practice Center, Opening of Second Disability-Friendly Hair Salon, and Other Comprehensive Policies

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will strengthen support policies for people with disabilities by reducing their out-of-pocket expenses and expanding assistance.

People with disabilities in Nowon-gu, including cohabiting family members, number about 65,000, accounting for approximately 13% of the district’s population, making it the second highest in Seoul. Among them, the proportion of basic livelihood security recipients and near-poverty groups is 38%, more than six times higher than that of the general residents (6%).

To ease the burden on people with disabilities, the district plans to reduce the insurance deductible for electric mobility devices and provide wage support for cooks at vocational rehabilitation facilities for people with disabilities, among other expanded support measures.

Expansion of Electric Mobility Device Insurance Support

Since last year, the district has been the first in Seoul to support insurance enrollment for about 1,200 registered people with disabilities who use electric mobility devices (electric wheelchairs, electric scooters). The insurance covers compensation up to 20 million KRW per accident for third parties injured during the operation of the electric mobility device.

The deductible has been reduced from the previous 100,000 KRW to 50,000 KRW. Although the district covers the full insurance premium, low-income groups often feel burdened by the deductible as well.

Registered people with disabilities residing in the district are automatically enrolled without any separate application process, and there are no limits on total compensation or the number of claims. Last year, 11 accident claims were filed, and about 17 million KRW in insurance payments were made to victims.

Wage Support for Cooks at Small-Scale Welfare Facilities for People with Disabilities

Wage support is also provided for cooks at small-scale welfare facilities for people with disabilities that have their own cooking facilities but face difficulties due to insufficient cooking staff wages.

Previously, the district office assigned public workers, but due to the nature of public work projects, working hours varied, and during periods without public workers, facilities had to prepare individual meals or hire separate cooks, causing financial burdens.

Accordingly, through a public contest last year, four vocational rehabilitation facilities for people with disabilities with a large number of diners and urgent need for meal support staff were selected first. Each facility receives about 27 million KRW annually in wage subsidies, enabling one cook to work six hours a day. Facilities directly hire the cooks to operate according to their specific needs, and subsidies are settled at the end of the year.

In addition, the district is preparing various projects for people with disabilities. To prevent safety accidents for mobility-impaired individuals, an 871㎡ electric mobility device driving practice center will be established within the Jungnangcheon Water Park. The first nationwide disability-friendly hair salon, which opened last year, has received many requests for additional branches, and the district is preparing to open a second branch by the end of this year.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “We will listen carefully to the voices of people with disabilities and take care of even the smallest matters. This year, we will continue to carefully implement various customized policies to make Nowon a city where people with and without disabilities can live happily together.”