Mapo-gu Creates Red Road 'AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Street'

Provision of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Boards to Restaurants and Retail Stores in Red Road R1~R3 Sections
People with Disabilities and Foreigners Facing Communication Difficulties Can Enjoy Red Road Without Worries
Special Communication Boards for Red Road Include Diverse Tourist Information for Hongdae Area

Mapo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Park Kang-su) plans to transform Hongdae Red Road, a hub of youth, culture, and arts, into an 'Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Street.'

This project aims to help people with communication difficulties, such as those with disabilities, use Hongdae Red Road more conveniently and to create an environment where both disabled and non-disabled people can interact and enjoy together.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a communication method that helps people who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally to convey their thoughts using photos, pictures, and other tools.

The section to be developed as the Hongdae Red Road AAC Street is adjacent to the subway station and is a busy area with many restaurants, clothing stores, and retail shops, specifically the Red Road R1 to R3 sections.

First, during the second half of this year, the district plans to encourage participation from various businesses in the area. Participating businesses will be provided with AAC communication boards that allow communication simply by pointing with a finger, and informational signs will be attached to the front of the stores so that anyone can easily recognize them.

Additionally, the Hongdae Mapo Tourism Information Center will produce and supply dedicated AAC communication boards for Red Road, providing essential information related to Red Road tourism, such as nearby tourist attractions, convenience facilities, emergency medical information, and lost item reporting.

Businesses wishing to participate in the AAC project can contact the Mapo-gu Disabled Social Security Division.

Park Kang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “This project will be an important step in further promoting the communication rights of people with disabilities and creating an inclusive society where everyone can participate together. We will present a Red Road where disabled people, non-disabled people, and foreigners can all interact and enjoy together.”