On May 9, the Seoul Eoullim Plaza in Gangseo-gu, western Seoul, hosted hands-on programs and cultural events bringing together people with and without disabilities to mark Family Month. The event, titled "Pong Pong, Inclusion!" featured a wide range of programs combining disability awareness with experiential content, including a pong-pong quiz, braille craft, stationery keyring making, inclusion puzzle building, balloon art, magic shows and wheelchair racing, drawing a steady stream of family visitors.
Citizens broadened their understanding of disabilities and naturally experienced the value of inclusion and consideration for others by taking part in the various programs. One child who tried wheelchair racing said, "My arms hurt more than I thought they would. It must be really tough for people who use wheelchairs every day," expressing empathy for the daily lives of people with disabilities.
Seoul Eoullim Plaza is a barrier-free welfare and cultural complex open to everyone. Spanning a total floor area of 23,915 square meters across four basement levels and five above-ground floors, the facility houses cultural and athletic facilities including a fitness center, swimming pool, library, multipurpose auditorium, cultural center and performance hall that can be used by both people with and without disabilities, along with specialized spaces such as a dental hospital for people with disabilities and a disability-friendly hair salon.
The plaza officially opened on March 18, and approximately 60,000 people have visited during the two months since its opening.
A total of 25 athletes will participate in the trials, where they are expected to showcase the skills they have honed with the goal of competing at the national event.
Seoul Eoullim Plaza features a step-free structure throughout the entire building. This design ensures that wheelchair users, as well as elderly people and stroller users, can move around safely and conveniently. Key facilities include a fitness center equipped with barrier-free exercise equipment that can also be used by wheelchair users, a swimming pool with aquatic wheelchairs, and a library with braille books and dedicated wheelchair seating. Wheelchair seating is also separately provided in the convertible performance hall.
The swimming pool features a gentle underwater slope to accommodate aquatic wheelchairs, while the fitness center is equipped with barrier-free exercise equipment such as WheelyX, providing an environment where everyone can work out together.
The plaza is also equipped with a variety of convenience facilities for users with visual, hearing and physical disabilities. These include a "Telecoil Zone" equipped with hearing assistance devices, braille information boards, electric wheelchair chargers and restrooms for bedridden people with disabilities. In addition, a training and arts center for people with disabilities, a friendly hair salon and specialized facilities at the dental hospital are also operating within the complex.
Seoul Eoullim Plaza has actively applied a "barrier-free perspective" not only to its facilities but also to its overall operations. When people with disabilities or those with mobility challenges make advance reservations for "Companion Crew" support through the Eoullim Plaza website, the Companion Crew assists them in moving from arrival points such as subway stations or bus and taxi stops to the main building of the plaza.
This year's programs consist of 54 courses across three categories — disability-specific, integrated programs and programs for the non-disabled — and 47 of these (87 percent) are open to participation by people with disabilities. In particular, integrated programs have been expanded to encourage natural exchange and social integration between people with and without disabilities.
The training and arts center for people with disabilities offers self-reliance and social adaptation programs for people with disabilities and their families across all age groups, as well as specialized arts programs in fields such as art, music and theater. The center also runs barrier-free programs open to anyone, such as sign language classes, choir, dance and humanities lectures, broadening the range of participants.
The library has also been designed as an open reading space where visitors can read, rest and linger, offering a variety of customized services including small reading rooms, a children's reading class and a "Books Read by Librarians" program.
Seoul Eoullim Plaza plans to strengthen the expertise and diversity of its disability-tailored programs through cooperation with disability welfare organizations, educational institutions and cultural and arts groups. Key areas of cooperation include lifelong education for people with disabilities, expanded opportunities to enjoy culture and the arts, and awareness education, with resource linkages between organizations laying the groundwork for more systematic and sustainable operations. Through this, the plaza aims to expand opportunities for social participation by people with disabilities, promote disability awareness among citizens, and boost the self-esteem and capabilities of participants.
Earlier, on April 14 to mark the Day of Persons with Disabilities, the plaza invited Seo Eun-hye, an author with a developmental disability, to give a special lecture as part of the "Do! Resident Education for Disability Awareness" program jointly organized with Neulpureunnamu Welfare Center. The lecture brought together people with disabilities, their families and local residents to share a moment of empathy on disability, dreams and life.
One participant with a disability said, "I have a disability myself, and it was an honor to meet author Seo Eun-hye. It must feel wonderful to have achieved her dream." Another family member of a person with a disability said, "It was great to be able to attend the lecture together without any distinction between people with and without disabilities."
Seoul Eoullim Plaza was built on the former site of the National Information Society Agency. At one point, the project faced difficulties due to opposition from nearby residents. However, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held continuous dialogue with residents and formed a resident consultative body and task force during the construction process to actively reflect local opinions.
Construction eventually began in August 2022 and was completed in September 2025. Pilot programs have been operating since December last year.
"I hope that second and third Eoullim Plazas will spread across the country, so that barrier-free design becomes a fundamental public value," said Kim Cheol-min, director of Seoul Eoullim Plaza. "We will continue to expand programs and operations so that any citizen can use the facility conveniently."
Meanwhile, in recognition of its facilities and programs, Seoul Eoullim Plaza will host the "Seoul Selection Trials for the 46th National Para Sports Festival" at its swimming pool on May 23. Organized by the Seoul Para Swimming Federation, the trials are being held to select the Seoul team that will compete in the 46th National Para Sports Festival to be held in Jeju in September.
