[Herald Economy Senior Reporter Park Jong-il] “People with developmental disabilities can live independently!”On April 18 at Magok Plaza, Jin Gyo-hoon, mayor of Seoul’s Gangseo District, responded to a question about disability awareness at the “Gangseo Value Plus Welfare Expo” by drawing a large circle above his head and declaring, “People with developmental disabilities can live independently.”
The event was organized to improve public perceptions of people with disabilities and to foster a community where residents with and without disabilities live together.
The fair offered hands-on disability-awareness programs, an exhibition of works by artists with disabilities, and promotions for products made at vocational rehabilitation centers. About 900 local residents—both with and without disabilities—attended and enjoyed the event.
Mayor Jin visited each booth and took part in various programs, positioning himself at the forefront of efforts to raise disability awareness.
He moved through the venue, greeting people with disabilities warmly and readily responding to a steady stream of photo requests, keeping lines of communication open. He even knelt to meet eye level when taking pictures with people in wheelchairs.
He learned “face names”—sign-language names that convey a person’s features or personality—and spent time with deaf attendees practicing finger-spelling to write names using Korean vowels and consonants. He also wore disability-simulation goggles to experience the blurred vision associated with conditions such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, which can affect older adults.
Mayor Jin said, “We must guarantee the rights of people with disabilities and expand their opportunities for social participation. A society that walks together is beautiful. We will build a society where people with and without disabilities are equally respected, without discrimination based on disability.”
