Awarded Commendation from the Mayor of Seoul at the ‘Accompanying the Vulnerable Support Project Performance Report Meeting’
‘Donghaeng Hair’ Established in September Last Year to Address Inconveniences in Hairdressing Services for People with Disabilities
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) has been recognized for the operation of the ‘Disability-Friendly Book Cafe and Hair Salon’ and selected as an ‘Excellent Autonomous District for Accompanying the Vulnerable’ by Seoul City.
The Accompanying the Vulnerable Autonomous District Support Project aims to support vulnerable groups and eliminate welfare blind spots through cooperation between the city and districts. On the 10th, Dongdaemun-gu was selected as an excellent autonomous district along with Nowon, Mapo, Yangcheon, Songpa, and Seongdong districts at the ‘2024 Accompanying the Vulnerable Support Project Performance Report Meeting’ held at the Seoul City Hall main conference room, receiving a commendation from the Mayor of Seoul.
In September last year, Dongdaemun-gu established ‘Donghaeng Hair,’ a hair salon exclusively for people with severe disabilities who have difficulty visiting hair salons due to mobility issues, on the first floor of the Dongmun Disabled Welfare Center. Next to the hair salon, a book cafe was also set up for welfare center users to stay freely.
‘Donghaeng Hair’ is equipped with specially made electric shampoo stations and mobile lift facilities, providing hairdressing services at affordable prices, which has received great responses from people with disabilities. Since its opening, about 200 people have used the service, and the number of advance reservations is steadily increasing.
At the performance report meeting, during the ‘Talk Concert with the Vulnerable,’ hair designer Shin Jae-yeon, who works at ‘Donghaeng Hair,’ shared anecdotes from her experience. Designer Shin said, “A severely disabled male customer who was usually quiet gradually gained confidence after receiving hairdressing services and shyly said he wanted to be introduced to a girlfriend,” adding, “It is very rewarding to help raise the self-esteem of users, and it motivates me to work even harder.”
Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, stated, “We will do our best to ensure the stable operation of the hair salon exclusively for people with disabilities to resolve the inconveniences they face when using regular hair salons and guarantee everyone’s right to express their individuality,” and added, “We will continue to strive to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and create a happy Dongdaemun-gu for all.”
Dongdaemun-gu’s First Seoul-Style Kids Cafe Opens in Hoegi-dong
Equipped with Play Gym, Block Play Zone, Fishing Play, Book Playground, and Various Other Play Facilities
Target Users Are Children Aged 1-6 and Their Guardians; Admission Fee is 2,000 KRW for Children and 1,000 KRW for Guardians
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) announced that the Seoul-Style Kids Cafe Hoegi-dong Branch (8 Hoegiro 18-gil) held its opening ceremony on the 11th and will begin full operation from the 12th.
The Seoul-Style Kids Cafe is a space designed for children to play safely without worrying about weather or fine dust, also helping to reduce the childcare burden on caregivers. Since being selected as a leading autonomous district in August last year, Dongdaemun-gu secured Seoul city funding to establish the Seoul-Style Kids Cafe in Hoegi-dong.
The Hoegi-dong branch spans approximately 55 pyeong (about 182 square meters) and is equipped with age-appropriate play facilities including a play gym, fishing play, market play, block play, and a book playground.
The target users are children aged 1 to 6 and their guardians. The admission fee is 2,000 KRW for children and 1,000 KRW for guardians. An additional 2,000 KRW is charged for play care services. The facility operates six days a week from Tuesday to Saturday and is closed on public holidays. Reservations can be made in advance through the Seoul City Our Neighborhood Care Portal.
Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, “It is meaningful to create a play space where children can run and play safely,” adding, “We will continue to expand care and play facilities where children and parents can be happy together.”
Following the Hoegi-dong branch, Dongdaemun-gu is currently piloting the Dapsimni 1-dong branch, and the Jegi-dong and Jangan 1-dong branches are expected to begin pilot operations by the end of this month. For more details about facility use, please contact the Seoul-Style Kids Cafe Dongdaemun-gu Hoegi-dong branch.
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