This Year’s Budget: 34.6 Billion Won Invested
3,736 Jobs Created
Supporting Economic Independence for People with Disabilities
Jeonnam Province is investing over 30 billion won this year to create customized jobs for people with severe disabilities. The photo shows a scene from the Disability Rights Convention campaign. Provided by Jeonnam Province
Jeonnam Province announced on June 18 that it will invest a total of 34.6 billion won this year to provide 3,736 customized public jobs for people with disabilities, an increase of 341 positions compared to last year, in order to support the independent living of people with disabilities and strengthen income security.
The disability employment program is a public sector-focused job support initiative that provides customized jobs tailored to the type and characteristics of people with severe disabilities, who are considered a vulnerable group in the job market, thereby promoting social participation and independence for people with disabilities.
The main types of public sector jobs for people with disabilities include "Disability Jobs," "Peer Counseling Jobs for People with Severe Disabilities," and "Jeonnam-Style Rights-Based Customized Public Jobs for People with Severe Disabilities."
Among these, the "Disability Jobs" and "Peer Counseling Jobs for People with Severe Disabilities" are funded by the central government, while the "Jeonnam-Style Rights-Based Customized Public Jobs for People with Severe Disabilities" are funded 100% by local government funds.
The largest category among public sector jobs for people with disabilities is the "Disability Jobs," which includes full-time, part-time, welfare-type positions, dispatch of massage therapists with visual impairments, and assistant positions for care workers supporting people with developmental disabilities. Currently, 2,713 people are participating through 65 provider organizations in the province.
The main duties of participants in the disability employment program include assisting with disability welfare tasks at township and neighborhood administrative welfare centers, supporting environmental maintenance and meal service at welfare facilities or special schools, guiding proper use of disability parking spaces, providing massage services at senior centers and welfare centers, and assisting care workers with meals and mobility support for residents in care homes.
As part of its 8th popularly elected administration's pledge, Jeonnam Province has expanded the "Rights-Based Customized Public Jobs for People with Severe Disabilities," which started in 2022 with 82 participants, to 120 participants this year, providing jobs through 17 provider organizations.
The "Rights-Based Customized Public Jobs for People with Severe Disabilities" targets individuals with severe disabilities who are unable to work in the private labor market, existing disability jobs, or vocational rehabilitation facilities due to the severity of their disabilities. The program operates in three categories: advocacy activities such as campaigns and monitoring of accessibility facilities, cultural experiences such as art, music, and theater, and awareness improvement activities such as lectures and performances.
Jeonnam Province is the only region in the country to assign one dedicated staff member for every five participants in the jobs program for people with the most severe disabilities. This is considered an exemplary case, as it contrasts with the national standard of one dedicated staff member for every ten participants among the nine metropolitan governments operating similar rights-based jobs programs, and it is attracting attention from other local governments.
Eligible applicants for the disability employment program are unemployed, registered people with disabilities aged 18 or older residing in Jeonnam. Applications can be submitted at the local township or neighborhood administrative welfare center or at the implementing agency.
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