Three-Stage Support for 50 Individuals
From Monitoring to Neighbor Companion Group and Open Class
Yangcheon District in Seoul is launching a customized care project for middle-aged and older adults with developmental disabilities who have been marginalized from welfare services. This initiative was selected as part of Seoul City's "2025 Companion with the Underprivileged District Support Project" and will target 50 individuals with developmental disabilities aged 40 or older in the district.
Yangcheon District Mayor Ki Jae Lee communicating with local people with disabilities. Provided by Yangcheon District Office.
Yangcheon District is forming a consortium with the Yangcheon Haenuri Welfare Center to provide a step-by-step integrated service, ranging from identifying eligible participants using private networks such as local community centers, police stations, and neighborhood representatives, to conducting home visits. The support will be provided in three stages: "Monitoring - Neighbor Companion Group - Open Class."
The first stage, "Monitoring," focuses on individuals who have difficulty accessing welfare services. Through monthly phone or in-person consultations, relationships are built and gradual service linkage is facilitated. The second stage, "Neighbor Companion Group Matching," pairs local volunteers with participants on a one-to-one basis to engage in everyday activities such as walking and grocery shopping, thereby alleviating social isolation.
In the third stage, the "Open Class," dedicated welfare center staff will operate a variety of educational and leisure programs three times a week, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., supporting daytime care and social participation.
Last year, Yangcheon District also piloted a "Demand-Oriented Disability Support System Project" for 30 households with middle-aged and older adults with developmental disabilities, demonstrating the necessity and effectiveness of tailored services. The district plans to use this project as an opportunity to establish a robust local care network based on public-private cooperation, and will explore expansion plans through performance analysis and interviews.
Ki Jae Lee, Mayor of Yangcheon District, stated, "Middle-aged and older adults with developmental disabilities are a group that can easily be marginalized within the welfare system. Through this project, we aim to proactively address care gaps and issues of social isolation, and to create a welfare model that ensures peace of mind for both families and the individuals themselves."
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