"Bright Light, Light of Life"... Illuminating Hope Together with People with Disabilities

A New Welfare Model Combining Work and Life
Creating a Community Where People With and Without Disabilities Grow Together
Expanding Opportunities Through Collaboration With With Dream Daytime Care Center
Breaking Down Prejudices Against Products Made by People With Disabilities
A Warm Link for Coexistence in the Local Community

Employees of Haewoorim Disabled Protection Workshop are taking a commemorative photo together in front of the workshop. Photo by Haewoorim.

Haewoorim Disabled Protection Workshop (hereafter Haewoorim), located in Uichang-gu, Changwon, is creating a new welfare model that encompasses both work and life for people with severe disabilities, under the motto "Bright light for the world, light of life for people with disabilities."

Haewoorim, officially approved in August 2024, is a vocational rehabilitation facility for people with severe disabilities that directly manufactures and sells LED lighting. Currently, more than 10 people with severe disabilities work here, along with four staff members including social workers who support their employment. In April of this year, Haewoorim was officially designated as a production facility for products made by people with severe disabilities, certified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, adding further social significance to its operations.

Haewoorim's main products range from indoor lighting fixtures to park lights, landscape lighting, and floodlights. In addition, the workshop is diversifying its business by offering comprehensive printing services. The interior of the workshop is designed with minimal movement paths, taking into account the specific needs of people with disabilities, and systematic education and training are provided so that all processes can be operated through collaboration.

Haewoorim aims to be more than just a workplace; it strives to be a beautiful community created by people with and without disabilities together. In addition to vocational training, a variety of programs such as grocery shopping, movie outings, and environmental clean-up activities are offered to help employees with disabilities become independent members of society.

In particular, Haewoorim is engaged in complementary collaboration with the With Dream daytime care center for people with developmental disabilities, through agreements that include recommending employees with disabilities and providing welfare solutions. Through this, Haewoorim offers opportunities to experience various cultural contents such as sports, culture, and education not only during working hours on weekdays but also after work and on weekends, realizing a new welfare paradigm called "All Day Care."

Employees are working together at Haeurim Disabled Protection Workshop. Photo by Haeurim.

Kim Haemong, director of Haewoorim, said, "Although our employees may have physical challenges, seeing them break down prejudices and work together to assemble even a single converter or screw to complete a lighting fixture is truly moving in itself," adding, "I hope their lives will be filled with hope, just like the lights that shine brightly."

Meanwhile, production facilities for products made by people with severe disabilities pursue both welfare and economic independence by providing stable workplaces for those who find it difficult to enter the general labor market. However, there are still prejudices and undervalued perceptions about products made in disability workshops among some consumers and buyers, leading to calls for urgent improvement in social awareness and institutional support.

Haewoorim is not simply a sheltered workshop for people with disabilities, but serves as a warm link for living together within the local community. Greater interest and participation are needed so that people with disabilities can grow as "working individuals" and as "members of the community."