Social Exclusion of People with Disabilities in Korea

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.