Mapo-gu 'Nuguna Gage' Certification... Expanding Barrier-Free Commercial Areas

District Integrates Existing Disability-Friendly Projects... Promotes 'Nuguna Gage' Certification Program
Certified Stores Receive Support for Disability Convenience Facilities like AAC Menus and Store Listings on Google Maps
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, "We Will Expand Barrier-Free Commercial Areas Without Disability Inconvenience Through 'Nuguna Gage'"

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Kang-su), home to world-renowned tourist spots such as Hongdae Red Road, Hapjeong Skyway, and popular local commercial areas like Yeonnam, Sangsu, and Mangwon-dong frequented by both domestic and international visitors, is launching the ‘Anyone’s Store’ certification project to enhance convenience for people with disabilities and create barrier-free commercial districts.

Until now, structural issues such as ▲entrances inaccessible to wheelchairs ▲thresholds inside stores ▲lack of accessible restrooms, along with ▲insufficient understanding of disabilities ▲communication difficulties, have been identified as major inconveniences for people with disabilities when using commercial facilities.

The ‘Anyone’s Store’ certification system recognizes stores that are safe and convenient for everyone regardless of disability status, categorized into three areas: ▲Comfortable Facilities ▲Friendly Explanation ▲Sharing Spirit.

The ‘Comfortable Facilities’ category refers to stores equipped with convenience facilities such as accessible restrooms, allowing anyone to use them comfortably. The ‘Friendly Explanation’ category indicates stores that provide accessible menus for customers with disabilities (AAC, Braille, pictograms, etc.) to facilitate smooth communication. The ‘Sharing Spirit’ category includes advocacy stores that understand and warmly welcome people with developmental disabilities and sharing stores that support people with disabilities and others.

Moreover, the ‘Anyone’s Store’ project integrates and systematically manages various disability-friendly initiatives that were previously pursued individually, making it difficult to expand or categorize the projects and resulting in a proliferation of individual certification labels.

The district collaborates with the ‘Mapo-gu Disabled Facilities Solidarity Meeting,’ composed of eight disability welfare facilities including the Mapo Disabled Welfare Center, as well as developmental disability youth hubs such as ‘Sabujak’ and ‘Saramgwa Sotong’ to jointly discover stores for certification.

Additionally, linked with Mapo-gu’s ‘Hongik Ingan Project’ (※a resident-participation budget project that establishes universal design standards and supports the installation of convenience facilities for a city environment accessible to everyone), the district plans to increase the number of ‘Anyone’s Stores’ by supporting facility installations such as ramps for people with disabilities.

Stores certified as ‘Anyone’s Store’ will receive a plaque and certificate. Support for facilities such as ▲restroom handrails ▲ramps ▲signage sheets ▲AAC communication boards can also be provided as needed.

Furthermore, the district plans to mark participating stores on platforms like Google Maps and Seoul City Life Map for easy access by everyone and will select outstanding stores to award the Mayor’s Commendation.

Stores wishing to participate in the ‘Anyone’s Store’ program can contact the Mapo-gu Disabled Facilities Solidarity Meeting (representative organization: Mapo Disabled Welfare Center).

Park Kang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, stated, “Through the ‘Anyone’s Store’ certification project, we will actively promote the creation of a commercial environment where residents with disabilities can use local stores without inconvenience,” adding, “Mapo-gu will continue to lead the way in creating a barrier-free city that is livable for people with disabilities by working hand in hand with residents and welfare organizations.”