Current Status and Implications of Vocational Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities in Germany

Abstract

Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states that disabled individuals have “the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labor market and work environment that is open and inclusive.” Conforming to this provision, Korea has implemented a variety of vocational rehabilitation policies aimed at helping individuals with disabilities enter the general labor market. However, with facilities still scarce and available programs limited, the number of disabled persons benefiting from vocational rehabilitation remains low. Meanwhile, Germany, where vocational rehabilitation for disabled persons has been in place far longer than in Korea, has recently entered upon revamping the existing system, with a view to advancing social integration and mitigating the problem of labor shortages. This article explores the features and details of the German vocational training system for disabled persons and discusses their implications for Korea.