South Korea Making Strides in Wheelchair Accessibility
South Korea has come a long way in becoming more accessible for people who use wheelchairs. With the 1988 Seoul Olympics serving as a turning point, the country has implemented various policies and infrastructure changes to promote inclusion and independent living for people with disabilities
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Historical Context
South Korea did not have strong disability rights or accessibility laws until the late 1980s. Disability was largely seen as a source of shame and many public places lacked ramps, elevators, or other accessibility features. This started to change with South Korea hosting the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. The government invested heavily in making the city more navigable for international visitors, including those using mobility aids.
New regulations required public transit stations, government buildings, and other key locations to install wheelchair ramps, automatic doors, and other basic access points. While far from perfect, this marked an important milestone that set the stage for expanded accessibility in subsequent years.
Public Transportation Accessibility
One of the major success stories has been improving wheelchair access on South Korea's extensive public transportation network. All subway and train stations built after 1988 are required to be fully accessible with amenities like elevators between platforms and street levels. Older stations have gradually been retrofitted as well.
Buses also now have wheelchair lifts or ramps to allow independent boarding. Transit apps also include accessibility information to help plan trips. While a few older stations still pose challenges, overall South Korea's subway and rail systems are among the most accessible in Asia for wheelchair users.
South Korea Making Strides in Wheelchair Accessibility - https://www.coherentmi.com/blog/south-korea-making-strides-in-wheelchair-accessibility-22
