Report about the first trip of the Vice-President of the Korean Federation for the Protection of the Disabled (KFPD), Mr Kim Mun-Chol, to the Federal Republic of Germany (2010).
New experience about governmental work for people with disabilities in Germany
It is the task of the Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities to work towards the goal that the responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure equal living conditions for people with or without disabilities, is fulfilled in all areas of social life (according to § 18 BGG).
Visiting the Science Centre of Medical Technology of Otto Bock in Berlin
The Otto Bock Corporation is responsible for several innovations in prosthetics, including the pyramid adapter (a height-adjustable linkage for prosthetic parts) and the C-Leg, a computer-assisted knee that adaptively varies its passive resistance to suit the patients' different walking gaits.
Learning about the most advanced aids for various orthopaedic needs was an encouragement for the delegation of KFPD to make further progress in this field of work.
Learning about the work of Blind at the Blind Aid Workshop in Berlin…
… which was founded in 1886 with the goal to create meaningful jobs for blind people based on solid education, supporting their talents and knowledge, strengthening their self-confidence and independence. The Workshop in Berlin-Steglitz sells products in its own shop, runs an online shop, receives school classes to educate children about blindness and runs a printing shop for journals in Braille script produced in their own publishing office – what a wonderful occasion to learn for the KFPD!
The Sign Language School of Andreas Costrau – how a Deaf teaches Sign Language to hearing people
Andreas Costrau has been offering his German Sign Language courses since 2006 and his concept bears fruit: Sign language is the mother tongue of deaf and therefore they are the best teachers of their own language. It came as a surprise for the representatives of the KFPD that not only hearing teachers can teach sign language in official schools.
Warm Welcome at the office of Christoffel-Blindenmission
Since its foundation in 1908, Christoffel-Blindenmission (CBM) helps disabled people to integrate into the society. The principle of „Educate Hundreds – Heal Hundreds of Thousands“ has gained them worldwide recognition and caused international expansion of the organization. The delegation of the KFPD was deeply impressed by the range of activities of CBM beyond blindness.
Meeting the International Affairs Department of the German Association of Blind and Visually Impaired (DBSV) in Berlin
The long history and rich experience of this Association and their worldwide connections and activities was an eye opener to the Korean guests.
The first KFPD Delegation Trip to the Federal Republic of Germany …
… has not only strengthened the cooperation between KFPD and TOGETHER-Hamhung, but built up motivation for the implementation of the UN-Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to improve quality of life for persons with disabilities.
With gratitude for the support from
