In this paper we will start analyzing Seoul’s disability friendliness and accessibility with government aid and externally visible support slowly moving to the more invisible factors such as culture and the viewpoints of non-disabled citizens.
The following disorders are all categorised as disabilities regardless of whether they are temporary or permanent: vision impairment, deafness or partial deafness, mental health conditions, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, autism spectrum disorder, physical disability, as well as, epileptic disorder, facial disability. However, due to the limitations of this paper, mainly aspects concerning wheelchair users and blind people will be discussed. Other invisible disabilities like deafness, muteness, autism, ADHD or mental health illnesses will not be covered in this paper because these disabilities or mental health issues are not perceivable by outsiders at first glance and require the analysis of specific aspects, such as, for example, the education of affected children, discrimination, judgmental conceptions of parents or legal guardian as well as other social factors and specific intricacies.
Currently, 2.6 million South Korean citizens are registered as having one or multiple disabilities, which amounts to 5% of the total South Korean population of approximately 51,368,000 people.
The number of disabled people doubled over a span of 10 years, whereas the total population only increased by approximately 5%. In 2020 also around 5% of the South Korean population were registered as having a disability, which amounts to 2,526,201 people. Therefore, it is interesting to analyze which steps have been taken to help the growing number of disabled people with the challenges that they face in their everyday lives.
When strolling in Seoul, people with disability are rarely seen, considering that 5% of the population is disabled. This phenomenon raises the question whether and how far disability-friendly Seoul actually is and whether there are some underlying problems invisible at first sight. It is important to keep in mind that disability-friendliness isn’t only represented by the governmentally and privately given facilities but also by the support or lack thereof of non-disabled citizens. The opinion of the affected minority group is essential in finding out whether the given support is sufficient, lacking or faulty since outsiders might not have the much-needed insight.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Governmental aid for disabled people in general
3 Facilities for blind and visually impaired people and their struggles
4 Facilities for wheelchair-users and their struggles
5 Protests for wheelchair-accessible public transport
6 Korean societal view on disability
6.1 Religious aspects
6.2 The need to cure disability
6.3 Collectivism and Individualism
6.4 Other social aspects and disadvantages
7 Conclusion
8 Translation of a Korean reference
9 List of References
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper examines the living conditions and social status of people with disabilities in Seoul, specifically focusing on the intersection of government policy, infrastructure accessibility, and prevailing societal attitudes. The primary research goal is to understand how the growing population of individuals with disabilities in South Korea experiences daily life in an environment that often fails to balance modern development with inclusive design, and why despite legislative efforts, social exclusion remains prevalent.
- Analysis of the effectiveness of Seoul’s infrastructure for blind and wheelchair-using individuals.
- Evaluation of governmental welfare acts and the extent of their practical implementation.
- Investigation into the influence of Confucianism, religion, and collectivist culture on disability stigmatization.
- Documentation of the role of advocacy groups and protests in driving policy changes.
- Exploration of the "curative" mindset in South Korean society and its negative impact on disability self-perception.
Excerpt from the Book
Facilities for blind and visually impaired people and their struggles
In South Korea, most bigger streets and subway and railway stations have tactile paving installed, usually consisting of yellow, textured lines along pedestrian paths allowing blind people to find their way by feeling the textured way using a cane. Tactile paving consists of warning blocks and directional blocks. These textured lines, however, only indicate the normal walking way and potential dangers or risk factors. They don’t indicate facilities that are easily recognizable by non-visually impaired people like, for example, subway toilets, exits, ATMs or convenience stores, which makes it difficult for blind people to enjoy the same level of comfort in their everyday lives as the non-visually impaired.
A solution to this problem has been found and been adapted in Busan’s subway system although not yet in Seoul. ICT, short for information and communication technology, enables blind and visually impaired people to connect their electronic devices, such as smartphones, with public infrastructures. The specific mobility service in Busan is called Dagachi Naranhi. The smartphone app uses GPS technology in order to recognize the location of the user and then provides them with information such as directions for exits and other facilities metre by metre.
Another problem is that the installation of tactile paving is faulty in places. Numerous mistakes in the installation include missing warning blocks in front of crosswalks or stairwells, as well as warning blocks that are too narrow on subway and railroad platforms and, as such, are potentially hazardous for the blind who might fall onto tracks, stumble on a step or walk into a street.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of disability statistics in South Korea and outlines the paper's scope regarding physical and societal accessibility in Seoul.
2 Governmental aid for disabled people in general: Discusses the financial and legal frameworks, including the Disabled Welfare Act, designed to support the disabled community.
3 Facilities for blind and visually impaired people and their struggles: Analyzes the dependency on tactile paving and assistance dogs, and identifies significant gaps in existing infrastructure for the visually impaired.
4 Facilities for wheelchair-users and their struggles: Explores the challenges of navigating Seoul's hilly topography and subway systems, emphasizing the frequent lack of functioning elevators and ramps.
5 Protests for wheelchair-accessible public transport: Documents the history and recent actions of activist groups demanding consistent government action to improve accessibility.
6 Korean societal view on disability: Investigates the complex intersection of traditional religious beliefs, Confucian principles, and modern cultural values that shape the stigmatization of disability.
6.1 Religious aspects: Examines how Buddhist and Christian perspectives influence the perception of disability as something that requires a "cure" or divine intervention.
6.2 The need to cure disability: Explains the persistent cultural drive to "fix" disabled bodies, which often leads to the devalorization of the individual.
6.3 Collectivism and Individualism: Discusses how the strong societal pressure to fit into the group fosters the exclusion of those who do not conform due to impairments.
6.4 Other social aspects and disadvantages: Addresses the societal pressure on families regarding procreation and the stigma attached to disability in a competitive society.
7 Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, highlighting the disparity between legislative intention and the reality of discrimination faced by people with disabilities.
8 Translation of a Korean reference: Provides a translated account of a disabled individual's perspective regarding the struggle for mobility rights.
9 List of References: Contains the bibliography of sources used throughout the research.
Keywords
South Korea, Seoul, Disability, Accessibility, Tactile Paving, Wheelchair Access, Government Aid, Social Stigma, Confucianism, Collectivism, Disability Rights, Discrimination, Inclusion, Public Transport, Disability Advocates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper investigates the accessibility of urban environments in Seoul for the disabled population and how government policies and social attitudes intersect to shape their quality of life.
What are the primary themes addressed?
The central themes include physical infrastructure (subway/tactile paving), the influence of cultural and religious beliefs on stigma, the history of disability advocacy, and the limitations of government enforcement.
What is the central research question?
The work explores whether Seoul is truly a disability-friendly city and identifies the underlying societal and logistical problems that create an invisible gap for disabled citizens.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The research relies on a qualitative meta-analysis of government reports, statistical data, historical context regarding social beliefs, and case studies of protest movements in Korea.
What topics are encompassed in the main body?
It covers physical barrier issues in Seoul, the limitations of current legal frameworks, and a deep dive into the cultural context, including how traditional values influence modern treatment of disability.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Disability Rights, South Korean Welfare Policy, Seoul Accessibility, Disability Stigma, and Public Transport Equity.
How does cultural collectivism impact the disabled community?
The paper explains that collectivism exerts pressure on individuals to conform. Because disabled people often have unique requirements, they are frequently marginalized or forced to hide their impairments to be accepted by the group.
What is the author's argument regarding the "culture of cure"?
The author argues that the societal obsession with "curing" disability often devalues the lived experience of disabled individuals and shifts focus away from creating a more accessible, inclusive world.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Lisa Scholer (Autor:in), 2022, Disability in Seoul. Government Aid and Social Aspects, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1355952
