GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

- Personalized Welfare Services for Socially Vulnerable Groups Bolstered by Varied Project Initiatives -

Gangneung City has set a new precedent in personalized welfare services by leveraging advanced technologies including wearable robots, AI robots, and the creation of an ICT Imagination Playground. These efforts are specifically tailored to those with mobility impairments and developmental disabilities, providing support for these socially vulnerable groups.

Selected for the ‘2023 Children's Wearable Robot Distribution Project’, spearheaded by the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement under the Ministry of Industry, the city will now augment its offerings by distributing wearable robots for children through the Comprehensive Welfare Center for the Disabled, aiding the rehabilitation of children with disabilities, in addition to the existing adult versions.

Gangneung City began paving the way for rehabilitation opportunities last year by introducing wearable robots for adults, which led to successful walking improvement training programs for individuals with mobility impairments, including those with spinal cord and brain disorders, in the process boosting their rehabilitation morale.

Moreover, in an endeavor to enhance the cognition and behavior of children with developmental disabilities, the city aims to acquire an additional 80 custom-made robots utilizing smart technology for an AI robot competition project. Combined with the existing 20 robots, a total of 100 robots will be distributed for use across various facilities.

The Comprehensive Welfare Center for the Disabled in Gangneung has gained recognition as a recipient institution for the 2023 “Imagination Playground” Construction Support scheme. This initiative is undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and KOVACA.

The Imagination Playground, a project of KRW 300 million, stands as an inclusive space, welcoming both disabled and non-disabled individuals, and it promotes equal enjoyment of culture by utilizing the latest ICT technology and advanced convergence content. This unique environment fosters opportunities for individuals to indirectly experience education, play, tourism, performances, and sports.

An official from Gangneung City stated, “In light of the current scenario whereby rehabilitation infrastructure for the disabled is considerably limited in comparison with the capital region, we are committed to striving harder to improve this, and our goal is to offer advanced disability welfare services, which will be achieved through continuous collaboration with disability welfare facilities.”