Gangnam-gu, Building a Lifelong Learning City for People with Disabilities

Selected for National Public Project, Secured 36 Million KRW in Government Funding, Operating Program with Total Investment of 80 Million KRW...Building Lifelong Learning Environment for Disabled and Non-Disabled Using Lifelong Learning Infrastructure and Excellent Operational Capabilities

Gangnam-gu (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) has been newly selected for the '2024 Lifelong Learning City for Persons with Disabilities' contest project, securing 36 million KRW in national funding.

The Lifelong Learning City for Persons with Disabilities contest project is promoted by the National Institute of Special Education under the Ministry of Education to provide lifelong education reflecting the characteristics and needs of persons with disabilities and to strengthen their capacity for community participation. On January 12, the Ministry of Education newly selected 12 autonomous districts nationwide, including Gangnam-gu.

Until now, the district has operated care-centered educational programs for adult persons with disabilities at the Lifelong Learning Center for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and the Welfare Center for Persons with Disabilities. Taking this contest project selection as a stepping stone, the district plans to actively create a lifelong learning environment where persons with and without disabilities learn together.

To this end, a three-year mid- to long-term plan has been established with three key tasks: ▲foundation building ▲expansion of integrated education for persons with and without disabilities ▲strengthening specialized education by disability type.

This year, a total of 80 million KRW, including 36 million KRW in national funding and district funds, will be invested to operate programs for laying the foundation.

Specifically, programs for improving disability awareness and comprehensive promotion, social participation programs by disability type, and performance sharing meetings and network councils for exploring development directions and community return will be operated.

Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, stated, “Having been recognized externally last year as an excellent lifelong learning city, we will demonstrate Gangnam-gu’s lifelong learning operational capabilities to create a lifelong learning city for persons with disabilities,” adding, “We will operate substantial programs that satisfy the learning desires of persons with disabilities as lifelong learners and enable their participation as members of the community.”