Namyangju Dasan Disabled Independent Living Center Successfully Hosts Severe Disability Independent Living Competition

Namyangju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Joo Gwang-deok) announced on the 18th that the ‘2024 Severe Disability Independent Living Conference,’ hosted by the Namyangju Dasan Disabled Independent Living Center (Director Kang Min-su), was successfully held on the 17th at the Paros Convention in Dasan-dong.

Namyangju Mayor Joo Gwang-deok is hosting the '2024 Severe Disability Independent Living Conference' organized by the Namyangju Dasan Disabled Independent Living Center at Paros Convention in Dasan-dong on the 17th. Photo by Namyangju City

This conference aimed to create a socially accessible environment convenient for both disabled and non-disabled people, with about 250 severe disabled individuals and personal care assistants attending.

The event was attended by key figures including Mayor Joo Gwang-deok, △ Lee Jin-hwan, Chair of the Namyangju City Council Operations Committee, △ Lee Kyung-sook, Chair of the Welfare and Environment Committee, △ Park Kyung-won, Chair of the Urban Transportation Committee, △ Councilor Park Eun-kyung, △ Councilor Jung Hyun-mi, and △ Song Ki-tae, Executive Representative of the Gyeonggi-do Disabled Independent Living Center Federation, who added significance to the conference through congratulatory speeches and awards presentations.

The conference highlighted the importance of universal design and emphasized the need to improve accessibility in small business establishments for mobility-impaired individuals.

In particular, it actively promoted the necessity of enacting the ‘Namyangju City Slope Installation Support Ordinance,’ underscoring the importance of creating an equal environment accessible to all citizens.

In the independent living activist and practice category, a total of five severe disabled individuals were recognized and awarded: △ 1 recipient of the Namyangju Mayor’s Commendation, △ 1 recipient of the Namyangju City Council Chairperson’s Commendation, and △ 3 recipients of the local district National Assembly member’s Commendation. Additionally, five non-disabled individuals who have supported the independent living of the severely disabled received the Director’s Commendation and prize money.

Following this, academic support funds were provided to nine students with disabilities and from disabled families who are diligently pursuing their studies despite difficult circumstances (2 university students, 3 high school students, and 4 middle school students).

Mayor Joo Gwang-deok stated, “The independence of people with disabilities is a key task that enhances personal dignity and quality of life,” adding, “We will continue to expand policies and support so that people with disabilities can live without discrimination, creating an equal and warm Namyangju City.”

Director Kang Min-su said, “It was meaningful to share the achievements of independent living through this conference and to prepare for a future where disabled and non-disabled people live together,” and added, “We will continue to do our best to promote the independence and rights of people with disabilities.”