Seoul (AsiaNews) South Korea's government has decided to increase monthly allowances for disabled people up to three time times the maximum limit as part of its efforts to boost their welfare. Nine ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, announced yesterday comprehensive measures to support people with disabilities.
"To help handicapped people secure basic needs, from next year the government will increase the monthly allowance for severely handicapped people below poverty line from 55 euros to 103 euros (US$ 66 to 124), and that of handicapped children from 55 euros to 159 euros (US$ 66 to 190)," Prime Minister Han Myung-sook said.
From 2010, people with disabilities are expected to receive free compulsory education from preschool to high school. Currently they receive the benefit only from elementary school to junior high school.
Higher educational institutions like colleges will be equipped with various facilities to help disabled students study and do other school activities without too many obstacles. For example, special chairs for disabled students in the classroom and supplementary study facilities designed for visually-impaired and hearing-impaired students will be provided.
From next year, the government will also hire helpers to assist 13,365 disabled people from low-income families when they go out for a walk or travel.
"For the severely handicapped people who have difficulty going outside, starting next year we will provide assistance service so that they can smoothly lead their everyday lives as well as engage in various social activities," said Kim Kang-lip, an official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
To narrow the information gap between handicapped and non-handicapped, the percentage of television programs with subtitles for the deaf, which currently stands at 56 per cent, will be increased to 70 per cent by late this year.