코로나 시대, 장애인의 삶과 장애인 복지 실천의 변화에 대한 고찰

Changes in the Life and Welfare Practice of the Disabled in the COVID-19 Situation

Background/Objectives: This study aims to derive innovative action plans tailored to the changed environment by identifying changes in the welfare practice field for the disabled in the COVID-19 situation. Methods: First, various pieces of literature related to the situation at the welfare practice site for the disabled and their families after the COVID-19 outbreak were analyzed. Second, life changes and difficulties in the COVID-19 situation and modifications in service provision were evaluated through interviews with persons with disabilities, guardians, and facility workers. Results: The disabled and their families experienced difficulties in various areas of their lives and encountered several issues for each type of disability due to the COVID-19 outbreak. As COVID-19 persisted, welfare facilities prepared new alternatives. However, services still lacked in quantity and quality. In addition, the labor intensity of facility workers was substantially high , which resulted in high burnout and turnover rates for employees. With the COVID-19 outbreak, welfare facilities for the disabled struggled to cope with the changed situations, such as variations in service delivery methods, flexible program operation, reorganization, and installation of new equipment. Conclusion/Implications: First, changing the perception of administrative agencies that support services provided by welfare facilities for the disabled is necessary. Second, additional financial and workforce support should be provided to facilitate the operation of open facilities in the event of an infectious disease situation. Third, a systematic support system should be prepared in accordance with the development of detailed manuals for responding to infectious diseases by facility type and the occurrence of confirmed cases.