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Social Exclusion of People with Disabilities in Korea

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Abstract

This study investigates how the socio-demographic characteristics of Koreans with disabilities influence its social exclusion. We surveyed 810 people with various disabilities at welfare agencies for people with disabilities and centers for independent living across the country. We found that academic background, occupation, average monthly household income, health status, degree of disability, and status as a recipient of Korea’s national basic living allowance have the greatest influence on social exclusion. Those who are less educated, receive the national basic living allowance, are unemployed, have less average monthly household income, are less healthy, or are more severely disabled experience higher levels of social exclusion than other people with disabilities do. We investigated four types of social exclusion: exclusion from material distribution, exclusion from social rights, exclusion from participation and relationships, and exclusion based on culture and norms. More participants reported exclusion from social rights than other types of exclusion. Based on these findings, we suggest policy-related ways to lessen the social exclusion of people with disabilities in Korea.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Welfare, Soongsil University, Sangdo-Ro 369, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul, 156-743, Korea

    Kyung Mee Kim

  2. Department of Social Welfare, Mook-Won University, Daejun, Korea

    Dong Ki Kim

  3. Department of Social Welfare, Dong-Eui University, Busan, Korea

    Yu Ri Shin & Dong chul Yoo

Authors
  1. Kyung Mee Kim
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  2. Dong Ki Kim
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  3. Yu Ri Shin
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  4. Dong chul Yoo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kyung Mee Kim.

Appendix

Appendix

1.1 Social Exclusion Scale

1.1.1 Exclusion from Material Distribution

  • I avoid meeting people because of money.

  • I can’t afford cultural and leisure activity.

  • I have difficulties in finding a house due to my economic status.

  • I am to the extent that I have to save on daily necessities.

  • I skip meals because I lack money.

  • It is hard to pay my utility bills every month.

  • I can’t receive medical treatment due to economic reasons.

  • It is difficult to maintain life due to dept.

1.1.2 Exclusion from Social Rights

  • There are equal opportunities to seek jobs as non-disabled.

  • It is easy to receive legal support when discriminated or rooked by others.

  • There are equal opportunities in the workplace to demonstrate my abilities as non-disabled.

  • I can receive hospital treatment easily and comfortably when I need it.

  • I can go to restaurants that I wish to.

  • I can use taxis for disabled whenever I want.

  • There are culture centers, welfare centers, and lifelong education facilities that I can use freely in my community.

  • I can freely use public transportation.

1.1.3 Exclusion from Participation and Relationship

  • I participate in hobbies or leisure activities.

  • I participate in self-helping gatherings or those with friends.

  • I go to the movies, plays or movies.

  • I participate in family reunions.

  • I participate in welfare centers, culture centers, or disabled organizations.

  • There are people nearby who can help me whenever I need it.

  • I am friendly enough to exchange greetings with my neighbors.

  • I meet with friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

  • I have a gentle relationship with people.

  • My relationship with other people is expanding.

  • I know people who I can share my personal worries.

  • I am admitted equally to nondisabled in the group I belong to.

  • I feel close to disabled in my workplace, school, or group activity.

  • I am admitted as a member of our society by people nearby.

  • I am conducting my appropriate roles in the group I participate in.

  • I enjoy social gatherings with non-disabled.

  • I participate in economic activity that provides income.

1.1.4 Exclusion due to Social Notions, and Norms

  • I am treated as a person with no investment value from family.

  • I feel unfriendly eyes when I use public transportation.

  • People nearby don’t place any expectations on me.

  • I am perceived as selfish if I display my opinion.

  • I am treated as a child who needs a guardian.

  • I am not treated as a customer from store owners in my district.

  • I am treated as a non-sex, neither male nor female.

  • I am treated as a patient who needs to be cured.

  • I am treated as person who causes discomfort to non-disabled for no reason.

  • People nearby thinks it’s natural that I don’t marry because I am disabled.

  • My family thinks I have to live with other disabled together.

  • Employees or my boss at my workplace don’t think of me as a colleague.

  • People think of me as a person who has problems with living a natural social life.

  • People nearby think I must socialize usually with other disabled people.

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Kim, K.M., Kim, D.K., Shin, Y.R. et al. Social Exclusion of People with Disabilities in Korea. Soc Indic Res 129, 761–773 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-015-1123-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-015-1123-2

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