38 Detailed Projects Finalized
Advancing Four Key Areas: Independent Living and Social Inclusion
Jungnang-gu in Seoul (Mayor Ryu Gyeonggi) announced on February 26, 2026 that it has established a “Five-Year (2026-2030) Disability Policy Plan” to support the independence of persons with disabilities and promote a local community where everyone coexists without discrimination.
Scene from the final report meeting of the research project to establish Jungnang-gu's five-year plan for disability policy. Provided by Jungnang-gu.
On February 24, the district held a final reporting session on the research project in conjunction with the regular meeting of the Disability Welfare Committee, sharing its disability policy vision and key tasks to be implemented over the next five years. About 20 people, including committee members and heads of relevant departments, attended the session, where the plan was explained, a Q&A session was held, and policy opinions were collected.
This plan presents mid- to long-term policy directions tailored to the circumstances of Jungnang-gu, based on the research project, current status analysis, and needs assessments. It is structured around four main areas: creating an environment for independent living, guaranteeing rights and providing income support, integrated support for health care and care services, and creating a socially and culturally inclusive environment. Under these four areas, there are eight major tasks and 38 detailed projects.
Notable new initiatives include a “personal budgeting system” that allows persons with disabilities to choose the services they need themselves, and the establishment of a sensory-friendly library for persons with disabilities that takes into account different types of disabilities. In addition, the district aims to expand social participation through everyday life-focused projects such as support for liability insurance for daily life accidents for persons with developmental disabilities, a disability-friendly store certification system, and a barrier-free trail program.
Jungnang-gu has steadily expanded the foundation for community participation by persons with disabilities by increasing public job opportunities for persons with disabilities (ranked first among Seoul’s autonomous districts), establishing a special school (Dongjin School), and creating barrier-free trails. This second-phase plan has been prepared to promote disability policy in a more systematic way, building on these achievements.
Going forward, the district plans to gradually establish implementation plans for each sector and review the progress every year in order to enhance the effectiveness of its policies.
Mayor Ryu Gyeonggi of Jungnang-gu said, “This plan presents Jungnang-gu’s mid- to long-term policy direction encompassing all aspects of the lives of persons with disabilities,” adding, “We will continue to build Jungnang as an inclusive city where persons with disabilities can live as independent agents in the community and live together in harmony with others.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
