Gangseo-gu Creates Customized Disability Awareness Education Videos for Infants and Children

"Overcoming Barriers of Disability with Forest Animals"

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon) has produced an educational video aimed at improving awareness of disabilities for kindergarteners and lower-grade elementary school students in the area. This video was created to help children grow into protagonists of a society free from prejudice and discrimination based on a correct understanding of disabilities.

Watching a video on disability awareness education at a kindergarten. Provided by Gangseo-gu.

The approximately 9-minute video is set in a forest animal school and consists of two episodes. Episode 1 (We're Just a Little Different, We Can Be Together) features forest animal friends such as elephants and rabbits who, out of consideration for a turtle with short legs, play together by building sandcastles instead of playing tag. Episode 2 (Together, the World Will Be Happier) depicts situations where new students with visual or hearing impairments or mobility difficulties using wheelchairs interact with forest animal friends.

The video conveys various types and characteristics of disabilities, precautions when meeting guide dogs for the visually impaired, how to communicate with hearing-impaired individuals, and how to push a wheelchair.

The video has been distributed to 109 kindergartens and elementary schools in the area and is available for anyone to watch through the district office’s YouTube channel. The district expects this video to help eliminate discrimination and prejudice against disabilities and to foster respect and consideration for one another.

Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon stated, "Instilling a correct understanding of disabilities from an early age is the first step toward creating an equal and considerate society," adding, "I hope this video helps break down prejudices related to disabilities and supports children in growing into understanding individuals."

Meanwhile, since May until this month, the district has been working to improve disability awareness by conducting education on disability human rights delivered by persons with disabilities at local elementary, middle, and high schools.