Diverse Events for Disabled Persons Day in Nowon-gu, a Disability-Friendly City

Inviting Developmentally Disabled Actor and Writer 'Jeong Eun-hye' for a Lively Lecture to Raise Disability Awareness
Sign Language Training for Civil Service Staff to Get Closer to People with Disabilities
Nowon Declares Itself a Disability-Friendly City Without Barriers, Together with Residents

Nowon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will hold various events and educational programs on the 20th in celebration of the 44th Disability Day.

The events prepared by the district to commemorate Disability Day include ▲ Disability Awareness Improvement Education ▲ Disability Day Ceremony ▲ THE Gonggam Nowon Supporters Launch Ceremony ▲ Sign Language Education for Civil Service Staff.

First, the Disability Awareness Improvement Education will feature writer Jung Eun-hye, who gained public recognition as the older sister of Han Ji-min’s character in the drama "Our Blues." Jung Eun-hye, who is herself a person with developmental disabilities and an artist, will give a lecture to all employees of the district office and its affiliated institutions on the theme of communicating with the world through art and embracing prejudice. The lecture will be simultaneously broadcast live on YouTube, and an exhibition of the writer’s works will also be held.

On the 19th, a 'Disability Day Ceremony' will be held at the Nowon-gu Citizens’ Hall under the theme of ‘We.’ The ceremony will include commendations for those who have contributed to the promotion of welfare for persons with disabilities, congratulatory performances by the ‘Blue Jeans Band’ composed of persons with disabilities and the ‘Traditional Arts Group for the Visually and Hearing Impaired,’ and the unveiling of a commemorative video produced by persons with disabilities, organizations, and facilities. The mayor will receive a report on last year’s achievements in creating a disability-friendly city and future plans, and the event will conclude with a ‘Nowon, a City Without Disabilities’ performance.

Following this, on the 22nd, 'THE Gonggam Nowon' will hold its launch ceremony. The supporters will create content to improve disability awareness and promote it to district residents.

This year, for the first time, the district will also provide sign language education for civil service staff handling civil complaints. This is to provide non-discriminatory administrative services at community centers and district office civil service counters to persons with disabilities who face language barriers. The education will focus mainly on expressions needed when handling frequently requested services such as resident registration.

As of January 2024, there are 26,403 registered persons with disabilities residing in Nowon-gu, accounting for 5.3% of the district’s total population. Under the vision of , the district has established a comprehensive plan for persons with disabilities and is implementing various support projects.

From the 17th to the 28th, the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail Gallery will hold a special exhibition for Disability Day titled ‘Spring Path Painting Exhibition,’ displaying about 100 works by artists affiliated with the Korea Disabled Artists Association.

Additionally, last year’s ‘Visiting Disability Awareness Improvement Education,’ which targeted 1,300 people at 26 institutions including elementary schools and kindergartens, will be expanded this year to cover all age groups including adults. Persons with developmental disabilities will be trained as instructors for awareness improvement education and deployed in the field to conduct effective education centered on persons with disabilities themselves.

Oh Seung-rok, mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “On Disability Day, I hope this will be an opportunity to recognize society from the perspective of persons with disabilities and to raise sensitivity toward living together in harmony. We will strive to ensure that residents with disabilities living in Nowon are respected every day as if it were ‘Disability Day,’ supporting their daily lives and independent living.”