영국의 장애판정제도와 정책적 시사점

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the UK’s disability assessment system in depth and derive its policy implications for Korea. Disability assessment is the process of determining who has the qualification to receive social welfare benefits and services. Thus, this study especially focuses on income security, employment and social service policies, which are the core areas of welfare policies for the disabled. In addition, through a comparative analysis with the UK, the problems of Korea's disability assessment system were discussed and following recommendations were presented. First, we need to move away from the limited categories of disability and expand the range of beneficiary criteria of the disabled based on their difficulties and needs. Second, it is necessary to develop disability evaluation standards and methods that are suitable for the purpose of policies and services. Third, eligibility criteria of disability pension should be focused on work capacity of the disabled rather than medical impairment condition. Eligibility criteria of social care services also should be evaluated by needs and functional limitation of disabled people in real life. Fourth, disability assessment requires a multidisciplinary approach and various professional manpower, information, and qualitative evaluation should be implemented.