Integrated Status of the Income Security and Social Service Programs for the Disabled, and Policy Implications in South Korea

Abstract

This study explores the current integrated status of the income security and social service programs for the disabled and suggests policy implications in South Korea. First, it compares the disability policies of South Korea with those of OECD countries in dealing with the integrating effect of social service programs and disability benefits in South Korea. In particular, the study focuses on policy formation of the One-Stop Center for the disabled as a way of tightly integrating social service programs and the income security for them. In reviewing the feasibility of the One-Stop Center policy, it also conducts a survey on the policy among disability policy experts, using the Q-method. One the basis of the findings through the above study, we suggest ‘institutional connecting’ and ‘provision system’ to tightly connect social service network with the disability benefits. For the ‘institutional connecting,’ we recommend 1) the work-capacity based approach in conceptualizing and evaluating the disabled, 2) reinforcement of income security for the disabled, and 3) the integration of income security, rehabilitation programs, and employment service programs. For the ‘provision system,’ we suggest 1) promoting the role of local governments as a focal point of integrating welfare programs for the disabled, 2) reaching consensus for determining the boundary of jurisdiction as a gateway for welfare program implementation, 3) developing toolkits for evaluating the disabled, and a standardized service management program, and 4) encouraging discussion on educating and training experts and actors responsible for the needs of the disabled.