Current status and direction of welfare policy for people with disabilities

At the end of 2009, the number of registered disabled was 2,430,000 in South Korea. Of them, 90% originated from acquired causes such as diseases or accidents. Although disabilities are everyday problems that can be met by anybody, disabilities had been a problem that people tried to conceal. However, social recognition of the disabled has been developing with changes in the social environment. The government of the Republic of Korea has upgraded the policy on disabilities from benefaction to social security. The Korean government tries to support a variety of welfare systems for the disabled. Specifically, jobs for the disabled are going to increase from 3,400 positions in 2010 to 10,300 in 2011. The pension system for the disabled, introduced in July 2010, will be continuously supplemented. If a personal care assistance system for the disabled is introduced beginning in October 2011, the number of supporting personnel who will visit and provide nursing services to the disabled will increase from 30,000 at present to 50,000 at the end of 2011. Besides the above welfare system for the disabled, people should participate in the prohibition of discrimination against the disabled and the improvement of social recognition to the disabled. After that, social participation by the disabled will be expanded so that an integrated society based on the rights of the disabled can be realized in Korea.