• 한국사회정책
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.287-320
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• 2018

This study aimed to analyze the characteristics and problems of the quasi-market for welfare technology in the long-term care service area in South Korea. The qualitative interviews to the developers of welfare technology were conducted. The main results are as follows. First, the long-term care insurance (LTC) in South Korea has helped to create the limited amount of the effective demands for welfare equipments with low technology. Second, the systemic features of the LTC, however, have constraint the quantitative expansion as well as qualitative growth of the quasi-market for welfare technology. The low level of financial support combined with strict regulations has obstructed qualitative competition in the market. Third, they tend to develop the standardized and minimum welfare equipments for the serious needy for long-term care instead of welfare technology promoting independency of the elderly. Based on the results, this study provided the predictions for the growth of welfare technology and suggested some policy implications.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.130-136
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• 2021

This study investigated the general characteristics of mobility disadvantaged persons with disabilities, and to suggest implications to ensure personal mobility with the greatest possible independence for the physically disabled in community. The survey questionnaire included the categories as follows: the general characteristics of the participants, the status of outing and mobility, usage of low-floor buses & taxi for the disabled, service improvement, and mobile support center. Data collected from 219 with physical disabilities were analyzed for this purpose by using descriptive statistics. The study results showed that 54.6% of the total tended to go out everyday, and 17.0% rarely. 53.4% could go out without any assistance, and the major obstacles not to go out were stairs and inconvenience of public transportation. 26.9% used low-floor buses, and 71.1% preferred to use taxi for the disabled. The average waiting time for the usage of low-flow buses and taxi was 66.57 minute and 42.65 minute, separately. 78.7% insisted that the function of mobile support center in the community should be expanded, whereas only 49.8% recognized the role of mobile support center. Based on the study results, the researchers suggested to facilitate access by persons with disabilities to mobility aids, and to improve the actual state of pedestrian environment. In addition, the function of mobile support center should be expanded to help the mobility disadvantaged persons live independently in community, thereby contributing to the promotion of their quality of life.