Gwangju Seo-gu Establishes Integrated Safety Management for Mobility Devices such as Electric Wheelchairs

Gwangju's First Initiative:
"Guaranteeing Mobility Rights for People with Disabilities"

Seo-gu District of Gwangju (District Mayor Kim Ikang) has launched the city's first integrated safety management system for mobility devices such as electric wheelchairs and electric scooters to guarantee mobility rights for people with disabilities.

Seogu District held a safety education and maintenance agreement ceremony for mobility devices for the disabled on the 24th at the Nanum Hall on the 3rd floor of the Seogu District Office. Photo by Gwangju Seogu

According to Seo-gu District on the 24th, an agreement has been signed under which the district will prepare measures to guarantee the mobility rights and safety of people with disabilities, working together to create a discrimination-free local community.

The signing ceremony, held at the Nanum Hall on the 3rd floor of Seo-gu District Office, was attended by the Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch of the Korea Road Traffic Authority, the Gwangju Center for Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities, and the Seo-gu Welfare Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Through this agreement, Seo-gu District Office will provide administrative and financial support as well as monitoring; the Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch of the Korea Road Traffic Authority will offer traffic safety education for users of mobility devices; the Gwangju Center for Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities will provide repair services for mobility devices; and the Seo-gu Welfare Center for Persons with Disabilities will offer cleaning services for mobility devices.

Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu District, stated, "Through cooperation among institutions, we will do our best to ensure mobility rights and safety for people with disabilities and to make Seo-gu a kind city where everyone is happy and warm, free from prejudice and discrimination against people with disabilities."

Meanwhile, last August, Seo-gu District revised the relevant ordinance and installed 28 rapid chargers for mobility devices for people with disabilities at the district office, the comprehensive social welfare center, and local administrative welfare centers to improve mobility convenience and expand social participation for people with disabilities.