Operated as the region's first locally-led initiative, receiving acclaim for its social reintegration homes and driving rehabilitation

The Daejeon Center for Social Reintegration of Acquired-Disability Individuals is drawing nationwide attention as a model case of the region’s first locally-led operation.

On the 30th, Gyeongsangnam-do provincial council members and officials from the Gyeongsangnam-do Disability Welfare Division visited the center to listen to briefings on current support statuses for acquired-disability reintegration and to inspect its exemplary policy sites.

The Daejeon Center for Social Reintegration of Acquired-Disability Individuals operates to support the return to the local community for individuals who have acquired disabilities unexpectedly due to accidents or illnesses. Key programs include running social reintegration homes for daily living, community, and social adaptation training, as well as driving rehabilitation using simulator cars.

According to the 2023 Survey on Persons with Disabilities, the proportion of disabilities caused by acquired factors reaches 88.1%. Based on this, out of the 71,159 registered persons with disabilities in Daejeon (as of August 2026), an estimated 62,691 are acquired-disability individuals. Given that acquired-disability individuals account for a significant portion of all people with disabilities, it is crucial to foster interest and establish a support system for their social reintegration.

This visit was arranged to examine Daejeon’s best practices in social reintegration support for acquired-disability individuals and to explore ways to incorporate them into Gyeongsangnam-do’s policies. The visiting delegation included Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council Member Kim Jin-gi, alongside the Gyeongsangnam-do Disability Welfare Division Director, the Disability Policy Team Leader, and policy support officers.

The delegation received a briefing on the operational status of the center's social reintegration support programs and toured the driving rehabilitation program. Afterward, they visited the social reintegration home located in Sintanjin to inspect the facilities and exchanged opinions with officials on establishing community-based support systems and devising support measures tailored to local conditions.

Provincial Council Member Kim Jin-gi stated on-site, "Acquired-disability individuals face immense difficulties in adapting to daily and social life due to suddenly acquiring a disability from accidents or illnesses. Referring to Daejeon's exemplary support cases for social reintegration, we will devise effective support measures in Gyeongsangnam-do as well."

Noh Sang-kwon, Director of the Daejeon City Disability Welfare Division, responded, "I would like to thank the Gyeongsangnam-do provincial council members and provincial office visiting delegation for taking an interest in establishing a support system for acquired-disability individuals and visiting the Daejeon center. I hope this visit serves as a useful reference for Gyeongsangnam-do in formulating its support policies and spreading these initiatives. Moving forward, I hope both local governments will continue to exchange and cooperate to improve welfare for people with disabilities."