Seeking Organizations to Facilitate Smooth Communication for Deaf and Visually Impaired Individuals

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Announces Contest for 'Improving the Use Environment of Korean Sign Language' and More

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is seeking institutions to facilitate smooth communication and information gathering for the deaf and visually impaired by the 7th of next month. The projects include four areas: 'Improvement of Korean Sign Language Usage Environment,' 'Improvement of Braille Usage Environment,' 'Braille Transcription (converting speech or text into Braille) and Proofreading Support,' and 'Support for Braille Education Institutions.'

Visually impaired Kim Ye-ji, a member of the People Power Party, attended the National Assembly's audit on the Korea Sports Council held by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on the 15th, reading the business report printed in Braille. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

The improvement of the Korean Sign Language usage environment involves identifying and correcting issues related to sign language use in fields such as medical care, finance, and law. Participating institutions must select a specific field and collaborate on-site to develop plans to resolve difficulties.

The task for improving the Braille usage environment includes producing and distributing video materials for use in disability awareness education and other purposes. It also requires investigating and organizing the current status of domestic and international Braille-related materials.

The core of Braille transcription and proofreading support is public information and exhibition/operation information of cultural and artistic institutions. According to Article 12 of the 'Braille Act,' visually impaired individuals have the right to receive general printed documents from public institutions in Braille. Most requesters and providers are unaware of this. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will improve this by mandating public institutions to provide Braille documents. An integrated window will also be operated for visually impaired individuals to request information from institutions in Braille.

The support targets for Braille education institutions include libraries for the disabled, Braille libraries, and facilities for publishing Braille books and audio recordings. They must have at least one full-time Braille transcriber/proofreader, two computers for transcription, one Braille embosser or Braille printer, one Braille binding machine, and transcription software.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will form a review committee of experts to examine project proposals. The subsidy recipients for each project will be announced by the end of next month. For more details, please refer to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism or the e-Naradoom website.