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Busan Metropolitan City Accepting Applications for Assistive Information and Communication Devices Through June 23

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Busan Metropolitan City, under Acting Mayor Kim Kyung-duk, announced that it will begin accepting applications for the distribution of assistive information and communication devices from tomorrow (May 7) through June 23.

The “Assistive Information and Communication Device Distribution Project” supports the purchase costs of assistive devices that help persons with disabilities and others utilize information and communication equipment such as computers.

The project is jointly promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the National Information Society Agency, and 17 metropolitan and provincial governments nationwide. Busan Metropolitan City aims to distribute 270 devices this year.

This year, a total of 128 assistive devices have been selected for distribution, including reading magnifiers, special-purpose mice, and voice amplifiers. By disability type, the products include 61 devices for visual impairments, 19 devices for physical and brain lesion disabilities, and 48 devices for hearing and speech impairments.

Eligible applicants are registered persons with disabilities and national merit recipients with disability ratings. Applicants will receive support covering 80 percent of the assistive device cost, while the remaining 20 percent must be paid by the applicant.

Low-income households, including recipients of basic livelihood security benefits and near-poverty households, may receive additional support for the applicant’s share of the cost depending on the device.

Applications may be submitted from tomorrow (May 7) through June 23 by uploading the required documents through the Assistive Information and Communication Device website (www.at4u.or.kr), or by visiting or mailing them to the informatization department of the applicant’s district or county office based on their registered address.

Detailed information on required documents and other application procedures can be found on the Assistive Information and Communication Device website and in the notices posted on the websites of Busan Metropolitan City and district and county offices (www.busan.go.kr/nbgosi).

Busan Metropolitan City will select recipients by comprehensively considering the degree of disability, financial circumstances, and usability through document screening, in-depth consultations, and evaluation procedures. The final results are scheduled to be announced on the city website after July 16.

Park Geun-rok, Director General of the Administrative Affairs Bureau, stated, “Although digital transformation is advancing rapidly around the world, there are still people left behind in the digital blind spot,” adding, “We hope this project will provide meaningful assistance to digitally vulnerable groups in accessing and utilizing information.”