Career rehabilitation is a productive and economic service that allows the hearing impaired to participate in economic activities and become socially productive individuals. This relieves the social burden of the disabled and contributes toward social...
Career rehabilitation is a productive and economic service that allows the hearing impaired to participate in economic activities and become socially productive individuals. This relieves the social burden of the disabled and contributes toward social unity. It is also directly associated with the disabled person’s personal pursuit of happiness. Economic activity is a driving force behind social development and an important element for enhancing their individual lives and making it more comfortable.
While there has been an increase in the amount of research and effort exerted for career rehabilitation of the hearing impaired in Korea, there are still a number of hurdles that prevent them from starting their own careers leading to normal lives in society. Specifically, many areas of improvements are necessary in terms of career rehabilitation services and support structures.
This study focuses on the fact that most people who have a hearing impairment are limited in a number of ways due to their disability. It further examines the current status and problems associated with hearing impaired people of Korea. Finally, the study proposes methods to improve the existing situation.
Career rehabilitation may be easier for the hearing impaired compared to those with other forms of disabilities. However, career training programs for people with a hearing impairment are still outdated and nonprofessional. For example, adequate programs have not been introduced to produce professional sign language translators, making it difficult to offer sufficient services for career rehabilitation.
These problems become evident once we examine the career rehabilitation service structure. While The Ministry of Education, The Ministry of Science and Technology, The Ministry of Health & Welfare, and The Ministry of Employment and Labor are government organizations directly involved in career rehabilitation and training programs, they have failed to provide timely and adequate measures for career training or polices for the employment of the disabled.
Without improvements in government policy, it will not be possible to implement professional career training programs or produce professional sign language translators. Therefore, it is necessary to promote The Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled in order to introduce laws that increase the percentage of employment of the disabled and to take strong measures to enforce these laws.
Sound communication with the hearing impaired is critical in providing adequate career rehabilitation services. Under the current system, it is difficult to produce professional sign language translators who can provide practical assistance for career rehabilitation of the hearing impaired. Government agencies must actively work together to introduce programs to train and nurture professional sign language translators.
Another area of improvement for career rehabilitation of the hearing impaired is to provide career training institutions and secure teachers with expertise. Moreover, we must help each hearing disabled individual to find a compatible job and provide sustained management for maintaining his/her job.
Employment services for the disabled in Korea have been passed around between two structures, The Ministry of Health & Welfare and The Ministry of Employment and Labor. Services dispersed between these two structures have made support inefficient and fragmented, and there is an urgent need to unite the support structure for the hearing impaired.
In conclusion, improving some or parts of the problems mentioned above is essential to provide career rehabilitation for the hearing impaired. In addition to this, the improvement of government policies and public officials working in government organizations must change their mind set and offer active cooperation in order to provide practical support for the career training of the hearing impaired.