Disability Day (April 20)... A Platform for Communication Between Disabled and Non-Disabled
APEC Naru Park, Performances, Ceremony, Opening Performance, Warm-up Exercises, Competition
Busan City will hold the "11th Damjaengi Walking Competition" at 9 a.m. on the 20th at APEC Naru Park to commemorate Disability Day (April 20).
Held under the slogan "A STEP FOR ALL," the Damjaengi Walking Competition serves as a platform for communication between people with and without disabilities. It has been continuously held since 2014 to promote understanding of disabilities and create an inclusive social environment.
The event's name is derived from the characteristics of the Damjaengi vine, whose tendrils on branches lead thousands of leaves to cross over a "dam" (wall) together. While "dam" symbolizes exclusion and separation, it suggests that people with and without disabilities should overcome this "dam" together.
The event is hosted by the Busan Association of Welfare Centers for the Disabled (President Lee Seung-hee), a federation of 17 welfare centers for the disabled, and the Haeundae-gu Welfare Center for the Disabled, with support from Busan City.
The day's program will begin with performances including line dance by the Korea Wellness Association, a dance performance by the Nam-gu Welfare Center for the Disabled, and a choir performance by the Dong-gu Welfare Center for the Disabled, followed by a commemorative ceremony, the opening performance of the Damjaengi Walking Competition, warm-up exercises by the Korea Wellness Association, and the walking competition itself.
Additionally, there will be a variety of entertaining activities such as a balloon circus magic show, experience booths for Busan citizens (including sun cap making, augmentative and alternative communication, roulette activities, photo booths, and the Damjaengi cheering tree), a disability understanding quiz, prize draws, and souvenir distribution.
Along the walking course, activities to improve disability awareness will be conducted, including providing information on disability understanding, exhibiting augmentative and alternative communication artworks, and photo zones.
This year’s walking competition will take place on a section of the barrier-free course "Galmaetgil 8-2," designed for vulnerable pedestrians such as people with disabilities, the elderly, infants, and pregnant women.
The 2.5 km course starts at APEC Naru Park, passes through Suyeong Bridge, Jwasuyeong Bridge, and the east side of the Suyeong River Galmaetgil, and returns to the starting point, taking about one hour to complete.
Any Busan citizen can participate in this walking competition. Those who have not pre-registered can also register on-site from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the day of the event.
For more details, please contact the Haeundae-gu Welfare Center for the Disabled.
Baek Byung-cheol, Director of the Social Welfare Bureau of Busan City, said, “I hope that the 11th Damjaengi Walking Competition, which brings together people with and without disabilities, will provide an opportunity for Busan citizens to understand disabilities and reflect on the meaning of ‘A STEP FOR ALL.’ We will do our best to create a ‘Safe Busan’ where disabilities no longer become barriers.”
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