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http://dx.doi.org/10.3745/KIPSTA.2007.14-A.1.025

Policy Factors in the Development of IT Assistive Devices: A Comparative Study between Korea and America  

Cho, Joo-Eun (경북대학교 사회학과)
Publication Information
The KIPS Transactions:PartA / v.14A, no.1, 2007 , pp. 25-30 More about this Journal
Abstract
Korea has deeper digital divide between disabled and non-disabled people than other industrialized countries have. This study attributes the deep divide to policy factors and attempts to discern differences in policies concerning IT assistive devices between Korea and America. This study finds that major differences in policy exist between the two countries, and the differences account for Korea's unsatisfactory state of digital divide. Firstly, Korra has different 'perception' of assistive devices. While IT assistive devices are perceived as rehabilitation tools as well as bridges over digital divide in America, they are still foreign to social welfare and rehabilitation of disabled people in Korea. Secondly, the two countries differ in 'enforcement of policy.' In Korea, unlike in America, compliance with regulations on assistive devises is not compulsory. Besides, laws and regulations do not clarify possible sources of financing and legal sanctions, thus their enforcement is hardly effective. Thirdly, Korea's strategy for assistive device 'market' is very different from America's. America has long-term strategies to enliven the market for IT assistive devices. But Korea provided a lump sum of device development fund, and then gave out the assistive devices free of charge. As a result, the IT assistive device market has not been formed, and the foundation for further device development is yet to be constructed.
Keywords
IT Assistive Device; Digital Divide; Disabled People; Policy;
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