“Ulsan, a city where all people with disabilities are happy!”

Ulsan full steam ahead in pushing for disability welfare policies in 2024

A total budget of KRW 183.8 billion allocated... a 14.7% increase compared to previous year

Expansion of welfare infrastructure, support for social activities, expansion of information exchange, etc.

The Ulsan Metropolitan Government has announced its plan to implement the “2024 Disability Welfare Policy,” which encompasses support for cultural and information exchange for people with disabilities, along with the expansion and operational support for welfare infrastructure. It also includes projects aimed at supporting social activities and promoting rights for people with disabilities.

The budget for these initiatives amounts to a total of KRW 183.8 billion, which is an increase of KRW 23.6 billion (14.7%) compared to the previous year.

When looking at the main policies,

Support for Culture and Information Exchange for People with Disabilities

The city is supporting the operation of cultural programs for people with disabilities. These include activities like computers and musical instruments, designed to fulfill their cultural needs and support leisure activities.

In April, the city plans to support events that commemorate the Day of Persons with Disabilities and the Week of Persons with Disabilities. Last year’s Day of Persons with Disabilities commemoration event was successfully completed with the participation of over 2,000 people with disabilities. This year, the city plans to actively support the operation of events that can improve disability awareness and provide various opportunities for information exchange.

Expansion and Operational Support for Disability Welfare Infrastructure

This March, the city will inaugurate two shelters for children with disabilities affected by abuse. These shelters are being established to enhance the protection of children with disabilities who have suffered from abuse and human rights violations.

Children with disabilities under 18 years of age who have been victims of abuse will be able to receive temporary protection here and obtain necessary services such as counseling and psychological therapy.

Construction of a developmental disabilities center, intended to serve as a central facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, is scheduled to start this year. The completion of the center is slated for next year. Once the National Autism and Developmental Disorder Center is completed, systematic service support for people with developmental disabilities will be provided. Moreover, the construction of the Welfare Center for the Visually Impaired will proceed without delay.

The integrated care service project for individuals with severe developmental disabilities is expanding nationwide this year. The goal is to improve the quality of life for those affected and to reduce the caregiving burden on their families.

Initially piloted in Gwangju, this expansion nationwide is a 24-hour care project for individuals with severe developmental disabilities. It includes both 24-hour care and day activities services, offered in one-on-one individual and group formats. The city has secured a total project cost of KRW 52 billion (KRW 30 billion from the national government and KRW 22 billion from the city budget).

Projects to improve welfare infrastructure will also be pursued. These include increasing staff for disability welfare facilities, supporting meal costs for disabled welfare centers and sports centers, and improving the functions of residential and daytime care facilities for people with disabilities.

Meanwhile, in the 2023 evaluation of social welfare facilities conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which aims to improve the efficiency of social welfare facility operations and the quality of services for users, all four disability welfare centers in Ulsan were rated as excellent facilities (Grade A). Plans are in place to continuously strengthen the quality management of disability welfare facilities, rather than settling for the results of the evaluation.

Support for Social Activities and Rights Promotion for People with Disabilities

The city provides activity support services for people with disabilities who struggle with everyday life and social activities. The main services provided include support for physical activities, household chores, social activities, bathing visits, and nursing visits. These services are expected to improve the living satisfaction of people with disabilities who face mobility issues.

To expand opportunities for social participation for the disabled, the city also plans to increase the number of jobs for people with disabilities working in public institutions and welfare centers. Last year, there were 724 such positions, and this year the city aims to raise it to 751 to aid in economic independence.

Furthermore, the city operates three independent living support houses for people with disabilities, aimed at enabling people with disabilities to lead independent lives in the community. The city also provides “independence settlement funds” for those transitioning from residential facilities.

The city is also continuing projects aimed at improving awareness of disabilities and promoting rights. This includes puppet shows for disability awareness and education aimed at preventing sexual violence. Moreover, the city ensures the strong operation of disability discrimination counseling centers, disability rights advocacy organizations, and shelters for victims of abuse.

In addition, the city expects to support the stable provision of disability pensions, disability allowances, and medical expenses to stabilize the lives of people with disabilities. The city also plans to install ramps at 35 small, multi-use facilities to ensure safe and convenient access for disabled and elderly individuals.

In particular, this year’s disability pension has been increased by KRW 21,630 compared to last year. The basic benefit is now KRW 334,810, with an additional benefit of KRW 90,000, totaling a maximum monthly payment of KRW 424,810.

A city official said, “We will make further efforts to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and alleviate the caregiving burden on their families. Our aim is to make Ulsan a city where all people with disabilities can be happy.”