Is Mobility Equal for People with Disabilities?

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 We move every day without much thought. Even as I write this, I experience little inconvenience when using buses, taxis, or the subway to go out. Korea—especially Seoul—is a city with a high reliance on public transportation, and people from other regions or countries naturally use it when they visit.

 

However, this familiar routine can be something that others must carefully plan.

 

Several years ago, I had a conversation with a coworker who used an electric wheelchair. He told me, “It’s hard to take the subway,” and “It’s not easy to book a disability taxi,” adding that he wanted to get a driver’s license as soon as possible.

 

There are several reasons why using the subway is difficult. During rush hour, trains are crowded, and boarding with a wheelchair takes time and space, so he has to travel early in the morning before it gets busy. There is also a safety risk due to the gap between the train and the platform.

 

Disability taxis are also difficult to use. Demand is high, but the number of available vehicles is limited, making reservations extremely difficult.

 

Looking back, I once walked about 1 km with this coworker after lunch to go to a café. There were stairs, curbs, and roads under construction, making it difficult to move with a wheelchair.

 

Even earlier, when I was working as a reporter, I once borrowed a manual wheelchair to better understand the experience of people with disabilities. Because of the curb between the sidewalk and the road, it took a long time just to cross the street to a nearby convenience store. In the end, I couldn’t even enter the store because the aisles were too narrow.

 

That was when I realized: mobility is not something to be taken for granted.

 

Today, in recognition of April 20, the Day of Persons with Disabilities, I want to talk about mobility rights.

 

Why Mobility Rights Matter🌹

 

The term “mobility rights” may sound simple, but it does not just mean the ability to move. It includes the right to access education, jobs, healthcare, and social participation.

 

Going to work, visiting a hospital, or meeting friends all require one essential condition: the ability to move. When mobility is restricted, social connection is also limited.

 

Korea is a public transportation-centered society. Most people rely on subways and buses, and the system operates quickly and efficiently. However, this efficiency can be disadvantageous to some.

 

Not only wheelchair users, but also travelers carrying suitcases and parents with strollers experience similar inconveniences.

 

Mobility Rights from a Social Impact Perspective🌸

 

During my reporting work, I once heard that mobility issues are not an individual problem, but a system problem.

 

A proper solution requires a system where government, citizens, businesses, and technology are all connected.

 

Such a system would not only benefit people with disabilities, but also the elderly in an aging society, parents with strollers, and travelers. In other words, it is about universal design.

 

Social impact organizations are also working to improve mobility. Some partner with local communities to install ramps in shops, others provide commuting support for workers with severe disabilities, and some develop autonomous electric wheelchairs. Each is contributing in its own way.

 

While efficiency has long been the dominant priority, there is now a growing effort to incorporate inclusivity as well.

 

Conclusion🌻

 

There is a common saying: “When it is convenient for people with disabilities, it is convenient for everyone.”

 

An environment that is accessible to people with disabilities is also beneficial for the elderly, children, and non-disabled individuals.

 

In the end, designing for mobility rights is not just about supporting a specific group—it is about creating a society that works for everyone.

 

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