Launching Integrated Care Services for Disabled and Seniors... Korea Disabled Sports Promotion Institute Announces Vision

New Disability Paradigm Presented at 38th Anniversary Reception

"Establishing Integrated Care Services for People with Disabilities and Seniors!"

The Korea Disabled Sports Association (KDSA) held a reception titled "70 Companions? People Who Know How to Get Along" on the 1st at 'Daeboreum' in Osiria Square, Gijang-gun, Busan, pouring out invaluable visions.

At the event, Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon and Busan City Council Chairman Ahn Seong-min sent video congratulatory messages, and about 70 guests, including internal and external dignitaries, attended to celebrate the 38th anniversary of the organization's founding.

The event presented a new paradigm for health and care for people with disabilities and seniors and served as a platform to establish governance and vision for building an integrated care service operating system.

Attendees at the reception organized by the Korea Disabled Sports Promotion Institute are showing finger hearts.

KDSA Chairman Choi Jung-woo emphasized, "We must create a new paradigm of disability so that people with disabilities and seniors become key agents of diversity and full participants in society within a coexistence society."

He also stated, "To prevent acquired physical disabilities, which account for more than 70% of the total disability rate, we plan to provide integrated services including welfare, culture, arts, and education for people with disabilities and seniors, along with promoting physical activities in daily life."

At the reception, Chairman Choi said, "We will establish Senior Island, an affiliated institution that serves as a hub center for dance therapy such as visiting senior health dance classes, and launch a regional welfare research institute for living lab research and development of demand-tailored care programs at the community level to actively promote integrated care services for seniors."

Professor Choi Na-rae of Busan University of Foreign Studies (Social Welfare), who serves as KDSA's Education Director, emphasized the importance of 'Welpreneur Welfare Innovation' and 'Community Care' and said they plan to integrate these into KDSA's management direction.

Welpreneur Welfare Innovation combines entrepreneurship and welfare, meaning understanding seniors' needs and developing and improving welfare services based on customer-centric thinking, thereby creating new value through entrepreneurial spirit.

Professor Choi stressed, "To realize this, it is important to build a collaborative welfare system through networking among various members such as local communities, public institutions, companies, and the private sector."

Community Care refers to a system where people in need of care receive management, health, and welfare services while residing at home. It is an integrated care system linked from counseling to employment, providing customized care.

KDSA announced plans to establish a resident-participatory care system and develop and operate various care programs tailored to the characteristics of care recipients.

KDSA Chairman Choi Jung-woo pointed out, "South Korean society is facing an unprecedented low birthrate problem and a super-aged society where the senior population aged 65 and over exceeds 20% of the total population."

Chairman Choi said, "At a time when growth rate slowdown, decline in national competitiveness, and serious social issues such as intergenerational conflicts are emerging, national efforts and attention from all sectors of society to overcome these challenges are urgently needed."

He continued, "About 30% of people in need of care, including those with disabilities, receive services using existing facilities, but many care recipients remain in welfare blind spots and are marginalized. Based on 38 years of efforts and achievements in promoting sports and cultural arts for people with disabilities, we aim to transform into a public interest corporation providing integrated care services encompassing people with disabilities and seniors."

At the event preparing for KDSA's new start, baritone Oh Se-min, the promotional ambassador, gave a congratulatory performance. Congratulatory messages were also sent by Lee Sang-heon, Standing Chairman of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee; National Assembly members Jang Je-won, Kim Seung-soo, Jeon Jae-soo, Bae Hyun-jin, Hong Ik-pyo, Hwang Bo-seung-hee; Busan Education Superintendent Ha Yun-soo; and Haeundae District Mayor Kim Seong-soo.