Identifying 30 Households of Middle-Aged Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Caregivers Over 70 in Care Blind Spots
Neighbor Companion Team Selected, Providing 1:1 Customized Services from May to Build a Tight Care Safety Net
26th Event Held for the 44th Disability Day, Including Disability Awards Ceremony
Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Gijae) announced that it will start a project to identify and support elderly parents living with middle-aged and older adults with developmental disabilities.
Yeonriji Project for Stable Independence of Families with Developmental Disabilities, Operation of Lifelong Education Center for People with Developmental Disabilities
The Yeonriji project of Yangcheon-gu was selected in the "2024 Demand-Centered Disability Support System Project" contest held by the Korea Disabled People's Development Institute for local governments nationwide. This project was initiated to actively respond to the blind spots in care where middle-aged and older adults with developmental disabilities, who require continuous care in an aging society, end up supporting their elderly caregivers, putting the entire family in a crisis situation.
The district explained the Yeonriji project by saying, "Yeonriji, where branches with different roots intertwine and grow like one tree, symbolizes the love between parent and child," and added, "We plan to provide close support to families of middle-aged and older adults with developmental disabilities as if they were one body, like the Yeonriji tree."
The project targets 30 households where the primary caregiver is aged 70 or older and the middle-aged or older adult with developmental disabilities requires care. To accurately assess service needs, the district plans to form a consortium with Yangcheon Haenuri Welfare Center, select neighborhood companions, and provide them with specialized training. Furthermore, the district will actively support the identified individuals by linking them to 1:1 customized services so they can prepare for their future independently.
Additionally, the district supports the operation of Hope Cafes to enable adult developmental disability individuals to proactively design their lives through work linkage after school age. Through the operation of the Yangcheon-gu Lifelong Education Center for People with Developmental Disabilities, various programs such as job experience and communication education are provided for adults with developmental disabilities.
Establishing a Foundation to Strengthen Disability Welfare and Expanding Support through Various Projects
Approximately 17,000 registered disabled individuals reside in Yangcheon-gu, accounting for 4% of the total population. Despite a tight fiscal policy, the district has strengthened disability welfare by expanding the budget for disabled persons by 6.8% to ensure that socially vulnerable groups are not marginalized.
To enhance independent living for disabled individuals, the district secured 790 million KRW in local funds for disability activity support, providing additional activity support services. It also operates disability sports classes such as table tennis, park golf, and gateball to offer opportunities for participation in various sports and promote health.
Moreover, the district is implementing various community-based projects to improve disability welfare, including ▲housing environment improvement projects for low-income disabled persons ▲nationwide first accident insurance for disabled youth ▲Seoul's first insurance for electric mobility aids for disabled persons in autonomous districts ▲smart guardians for disabled-only parking spaces ▲and ramp projects.
Furthermore, facilities supporting independence such as ▲Yangcheon Haenuri Welfare Center ▲Yangcheon-gu Disability Rights Education Center ▲Disability Family Support Center ▲and Disability Independent Living Center are operated to help disabled individuals live happy lives in the community and to foster an integrated society where disabled and non-disabled people live together without distinction.
In particular, last year, to improve accessibility and convenience from the perspective of disabled persons, the district newly established the dedicated resting area "Maeumssi Center," a long-awaited facility for the visually impaired, relocating it to the central area of the region to expand the living area and promote social participation of the visually impaired. Additionally, the Yangcheon-gu Disabled Persons Association office was expanded and relocated to a place equipped with training rooms, laying the foundation for active activities to enhance the rights of disabled persons.
Disability Day Event Held to Commemorate the 44th Disability Day
To mark the 44th Disability Day, the district will hold a commemorative ceremony and cultural event on the 26th at the Sunflower Hall of Yangcheon Cultural Center. The event, hosted by the Yangcheon-gu Disabled Persons Association, will be attended by about 230 people including disabled individuals and their families, as well as disability welfare institutions and organizations, providing an opportunity for communication.
Despite difficult circumstances caused by disabilities, exemplary disabled individuals living with determination and those who have contributed to the promotion of disability welfare, including individuals, institutions, and organizations, will be recognized at the 26th Yangcheon-gu Disability Awards ceremony.
Lee Gijae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, stated, "We are newly implementing policies that broaden the rights of disabled persons and reduce caregiving burdens," adding, "We will continue to develop welfare policies that realize an equal life for disabled persons so that disability does not become a barrier, creating a city where everyone, disabled and non-disabled alike, can live happily and comfortably in Yangcheon."
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