Seongdong District Implements Customized Policies for a Happy Daily Life for People with Disabilities

Promoting 39 Projects Across Three Major Areas:
Eliminating Care Gaps, Improving Mobility Convenience, and Supporting Independent Living
Operating "Seongdong Rehabilitation Clinic," Seoul's First District-Run Rehabilitation Medical Facility for Persons with Disabilities
Supporting Customized Ramp Installations, Providing Insurance for Wheelchairs and Electric Mobility Aids, and More

On April 20, in recognition of Disabled Persons Day, Seongdong District (District Mayor Jeong Wonoh) announced that it would accelerate the implementation of proactive, customized welfare policies for people with disabilities.

As of February 2025, there are 10,699 registered persons with disabilities residing in Seongdong District, accounting for 3.9% of the district's total population.

Under the motto "Looking at Happiness, Embracing Daily Life, Continuing Hope," the district has established the "Seongdong-Style Comprehensive Welfare Plan for Persons with Disabilities" to create an inclusive city where people with disabilities can enjoy a happy daily life and future. The plan includes 39 projects across three major areas: eliminating care gaps for people with disabilities, improving mobility convenience, and supporting independent living.

Notably, since 2012, the district has operated "Seongdong Rehabilitation Clinic," the first public rehabilitation medical facility for people with disabilities established by a district in Seoul. In 2021, the clinic introduced robot-assisted rehabilitation therapy utilizing smart technology, and in 2022, it added language therapy and sensory integration therapy. Each year, about 4,000 people with disabilities receive specialized rehabilitation treatment at a level comparable to university hospitals, and as of last year, the cumulative number of users exceeded 40,000.

The district also operates a "Customized Healthy Meal Support Program" for people with disabilities who have chronic illnesses and an "Integrated Care Room" for individuals with severe developmental disabilities. In addition, it is promoting an "Infant and Toddler Development Support Project" for young children showing signs of developmental delay or disability.

To guarantee mobility rights for socially vulnerable groups who use wheelchairs and mobility aids, the district enacted, for the first time in the country last year, an ordinance supporting the installation of ramps for people with disabilities in Seongdong District. Through the "First Floor for Everyone" project, which supports the installation of customized ramps in small-scale facilities, ramps have been installed at 51 locations to date, including restaurants, retail shops, and beauty salons.

The district is also working to guarantee mobility rights for people with disabilities through initiatives such as the "One Heart Call Taxi for Persons with Disabilities" program and by providing insurance coverage for wheelchairs and electric mobility aids to support compensation in the event of accidents involving these devices.

Furthermore, this year, the district established ordinances to support and foster welfare organizations for people with disabilities in Seongdong District, as well as ordinances for the training and support of human rights instructors for people with disabilities, thereby strengthening the institutional foundation for improving disability welfare.

The district operates the "Wagle Wagle Library" for slow learners, including those with developmental disabilities, and a public sign language library for people with hearing and speech impairments. Efforts to provide customized educational support for people with disabilities led to the district being selected as an excellent district in Seoul's 2024 "Companion with the Vulnerable" initiative and being designated as a "Lifelong Learning City for Persons with Disabilities" by the Ministry of Education in 2025.

In addition, the district continues to pursue projects such as improving the facilities of the "Seongdong Disabled Persons Community Center" and the "Seongdong Comprehensive Welfare Center for Persons with Disabilities," expanding employment programs for people with disabilities, and implementing specialized guidance programs for people with developmental disabilities.

Jeong Wonoh, Mayor of Seongdong District, stated, "We are committed to implementing customized welfare policies so that people with disabilities can live happy lives without discrimination," adding, "We will continue to complete a sustainable, inclusive city in Seongdong by actively reflecting the voices of people with disabilities in our customized welfare policies."