• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2020

Background: As the impact of climate change intensifies, exposure to heat stress will grow, leading to a loss of work capacity for vulnerable occupations and affecting individual labor decisions. This study estimates the future work capacity under the Representative Concentration Pathways 8.5 scenario and discusses its regional impacts on the occupational structure in the Republic of Korea. Methods: The data utilized for this study constitute the local wet bulb globe temperature from the Korea Meteorological Administration and information from the Korean Working Condition Survey from the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute of Korea. Using these data, we classify the occupations vulnerable to heat stress and estimate future changes in work capacity at the local scale, considering the occupational structure. We then identify the spatial cluster of diminishing work capacity using exploratory spatial data analysis. Results: Our findings indicate that 52 occupations are at risk of heat stress, including machine operators and elementary laborers working in the construction, welding, metal, and mining industries. Moreover, spatial clusters with diminished work capacity appear in southwest Korea. Conclusion: Although previous studies investigated the work capacity associated with heat stress in terms of climatic impact, this study quantifies the local impacts due to the global risk of climate change. The results suggest the need for mainstreaming an adaptation policy related to work capacity in regional development strategies.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2021

The Korean government's strategy to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has focused on non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as social distancing and wearing masks, along with testing, tracing, and treatment; overall, its performance has been relatively good compared to that of many other countries heavily affected by COVID-19. However, little attention has been paid to health equity in measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to examine the unequal impacts of COVID-19 across socioeconomic groups and to suggest potential solutions to tackle these inequalities. The pathways linking social determinants and health could be entry points to tackle the unequal consequences of this public health emergency. It is crucial for infectious disease policy to consider social determinants of health including poor housing, precarious working conditions, disrupted healthcare services, and suspension of social services. Moreover, the high levels of uncertainty and complexity inherent in this public health emergency, as well as the health and socioeconomic inequalities caused by the pandemic, underscore the need for good governance other than top-down measures by the government. We emphasize that a people-centered perspective is a key approach during the pandemic era. Mutual trust between the state and civil society, strong accountability of the government, and civic participation are essential components of cooperative disaster governance.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.61-70
• /
• 2020

Background and Objectives: To assess the academic performance, communication skills, and psychosocial development of prelingual deaf children with cochlear implants (CIs) attending mainstream schools, and to evaluate the impact of auditory speech perception on their classroom performance. Subjects and Methods: As participant, 67 children with CI attending mainstream schools were included. A survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire on academic performance in the native language, second language, mathematics, social studies, science, art, communication skills, self-esteem, and social relations. Additionally, auditory and speech performances on the last follow-up were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Most implanted children attending mainstream school appeared to have positive self-esteem and confidence, and had little difficulty in conversing in a quiet classroom. Also, half of the implanted children (38/67) scored above average in general academic achievement. However, academic achievement in the second language (English), social studies, and science were usually poorer than general academic achievement. Furthermore, half of the implanted children had difficulty in understanding the class content (30/67) or conversing with peers in a noisy classroom (32/67). These difficulties were significantly associated with poor speech perception. Conclusions: Improving the listening environment for implanted children attending mainstream schools is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.61-70
• /
• 2020

Background and Objectives: To assess the academic performance, communication skills, and psychosocial development of prelingual deaf children with cochlear implants (CIs) attending mainstream schools, and to evaluate the impact of auditory speech perception on their classroom performance. Subjects and Methods: As participant, 67 children with CI attending mainstream schools were included. A survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire on academic performance in the native language, second language, mathematics, social studies, science, art, communication skills, self-esteem, and social relations. Additionally, auditory and speech performances on the last follow-up were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Most implanted children attending mainstream school appeared to have positive self-esteem and confidence, and had little difficulty in conversing in a quiet classroom. Also, half of the implanted children (38/67) scored above average in general academic achievement. However, academic achievement in the second language (English), social studies, and science were usually poorer than general academic achievement. Furthermore, half of the implanted children had difficulty in understanding the class content (30/67) or conversing with peers in a noisy classroom (32/67). These difficulties were significantly associated with poor speech perception. Conclusions: Improving the listening environment for implanted children attending mainstream schools is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.95-102
• /
• 2002

The present study focuses on the relation of the attitudes of university students to disabled by using modified disability factor scales(DFS, Siller). As for the attitude areas, it relies on the eight categories DFS provides. The 8 categories that specify each attitude area are: generalized rejection, distressed identification, inferred emotional consequences, imputed functional limitation, authoritarian virtuousness, rejection of intimacy, interaction strain, mainstreaming. This study is based on a series of questionnaire researches conducted on 322 students, over the period from October 19th to November 14th, 2001. The questionnaire carries 50 items, covering the 8 attitude areas and each item has 5 choices. The subjects' responses to each of the areas are examined in their relations to the four conditions, as they are analysed by t-test and one way ANOVA. The conclusion drawn from the research are as follows: 1. There is no significant difference between the students of the department concerned with the problem of disability, and those of the department unconcerned. But the responses are significantly different in the three areas of generalized rejection, rejection of intimacy and interaction strain(1st condition, P<.05). 2. The responses are significantly different in 6 areas except for the two, distressed identification and inferred emotional consequences, between the students who have volunteered services as helpers of the disabled and those who have no such experiences(2nd condition, P<.05). 3. the responses are significantly different between those who have volunteered long-time services and those who are far less experienced(3nd condition, P<.05). 4. There is no significant difference, whether the subjects have disabled persons around them or not. But generalized rejection, authoritarian virtuousness, rejection of intimacy, interaction strain & mainstreming show significant differences(4th condition, P<.05). 5. Generalized rejection, rejection intimacy and interaction strain show significant differences in every pair of the 4 condition. 6. Distressed identification and inferred emotional consequence show no significant difference between the two conditions in every pair of the 4 considerations.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
• /
• v.40
• /
• pp.191-225
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study is to formulate the way of the feminist strategy in Germany which is to change in the process of the globalization in the economic relations. The radical feminism which is the main streaming of german feminism shows a little interest in the role of the german welfare state (social state) to improve the quality of life of women. The german welfare state is, as the feminism says, only a instrument of patriarchy to perpetuate the domination of men over women. The german welfare state has played, but, an important role for the individualization of the relation of women's life which is the first condition for the emancipation of women from the patriarchal domination. That is a result of the interaction between the german welfare state and feminism. The role of the german welfare state for the interest of women is now challenged by the globalization of the economic relations which tries to reduce the standard of social services. The greatest victim of this process is women. Therefore it is necessary for the german feminism to think over the way of his strategy in relation to the german welfare state. The content of this study is as follows: First, the historical background of the german feminism explains how the radical feminism has become the mainstreaming of the german feminism. Seconds, the feminist strategy which rejects the role of the german welfare state for the interest of women has its own limits. Third, the german welfare state has not only developed the ideology of breadwinner but also contributed to the beginning of independent life of woman who were under the control of man. Fourth, the german welfare state is challenged by the economic globalization and being changed by the economic globalization. Fifth, therefore, the feminism has to concentrate to develop a strategy which accepts the limit and the possibility of german welfare state.

• Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.94-123
• /
• 2019

Over the past few decades, gender equality has been considered one of the fundamental principles and a significant crosscutting issue in international development. However, beyond applying 'gender equality' as a policy buzzword, there has been a lack of critical reviews on how generally 'gender equality in education' is understood and constructed in Korea's development programs and projects. In this regard, this paper explores the use of vocabularies and semantic meanings of gender equality in the Korean Government's Academic Cooperation Program and its 52 projects. By applying mixed contents analysis as a method, the research resulted in several findings: first, the policy papers recently highlighted Korea's directions on gender mainstreaming and gender-sensitive approaches in international development. Second, 'integrating women and girls' into education institutions was emphasized in various projects; third, the term women rather than gender were used in the texts, highlighting their position as a 'marginalized group.' Lastly, there was a lack of evidence of projects dealing with changing gender-based power relations. The constructed gendered relations and powers were identified throughout projects, usually acting as barriers to project activities. However, they were only identified, not challenged, by the program. In conclusion, whilst Korean international development and educational development discourse actively embrace Women in Development (WID) and Gender and Development (GAD) in their programs, it is time to consider the issue of gender equality from different standpoints, such as identity, rights, and capabilities and a more active engagement with Korea's domestic issues in gender discourse and practices is also needed.

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.55-75
• /
• 2021

This article examines the accessibility and usability of library websites to students with visual and physical disabilities in public universities in Kenya. The study used survey research design and adopted a mixed methods approach. Data were gathered using survey questionnaire, focus group discussions, structured interviews, and observation. The study population consisted of six public universities that had a longstanding tradition of enrolling students with disabilities. Census was used to obtain a study sample comprising of students with visual disabilities (86), students with physical disabilities (91), University Librarians (6), Personnel from Disability Mainstreaming departments (6), Systems Librarians (6) and Library Personnel who provided information services to students with disabilities (133). The Social Model of Disability and IFLA Access to Libraries for Persons with Disabilities checklist were used as conceptual and theoretical framework in the study. Study results revealed that all the libraries had library websites. However, the websites did not have disability services page or information specific to individuals with disabilities. Also a section of students with disabilities lacked awareness of the existence of library websites and e-resources available through them. Additionally, the website design posed various access challenges. The study concluded that people with disabilities were excluded from access and use of library websites in public universities. The authors recommended that library websites must contain disability services page containing information specific to persons with disabilities. Moreover, libraries should evaluate their websites to ensure compliance with W3C requirements for web content accessibility. Additionally, libraries should develop disability policy to provide guidance on provision of information services to persons with disabilities.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.177-189
• /
• 2022

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are defined as practical and technical approaches to restoring functioning ecosystems and biodiversity as a means to address socio-environmental challenges and provide human-nature co-benefits. This study reviews NbS-related literature to identify its key characteristics, techniques, and challenges for its application in climate-adaptive water management. The review finds that NbS has been commonly used as an umbrella term incorporating a wide range of existing ecosystem-based approaches such as low-impact development (LID), best management practices (BMP), forest landscape restoration (FLR), and blue-green infrastructure (BGI), rather than being a uniquely-situated practice. Its technical form and operation can vary significantly depending on the spatial scale (small versus large), objective (mitigation, adaptation, naturalization), and problem (water supply, quality, flooding). Commonly cited techniques include green spaces, permeable surfaces, wetlands, infiltration ponds, and riparian buffers in urban sites, while afforestation, floodplain restoration, and reed beds appear common in non- and less-urban settings. There is a greater lack of operational clarity for large-scale NbS than for small-scale NbS in urban areas. NbS can be a powerful tool that enables an integrated and coordinated action embracing not only water management, but also microclimate moderation, ecosystem conservation, and emissions reduction. This study points out the importance of developing decision-making guidelines that can inform practitioners of the selection, operation, and evaluation of NbS for specific sites. The absence of this framework is one of the obstacles to mainstreaming NbS for water management. More case studies are needed for empirical assessment of NbS.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.301-323
• /
• 2013

The government of the UK since the 1990, especially under the new Labour Party, has pursued sustainable development or carbon control as a core strategy for its national development. The seemingly prominent environmental policy for 'greening the government' of the UK as well as considerable achievements in energy and environment indices have attracted much attentions of policy makers and researchers for the 'low carbon green growth' in Korea. This paper tries to see the character of carbon control and environmental policy in the UK not merely as the integrating or mainstreaming policy but a new strategy for national development, that is, for the 'ecologically modernized' state, eco-state, or green state. It defines the environmental policy for carbon control in the UK as the strategy for the green state which has provided it as a principal guide for integrating national policies as a whole, and which has pursued it through market-dependent neoliberal measures. From this point of view, this paper introduces the development process of carbon control and environmental policy mainly under the new Labour Party government in the UK, and gives a reappraisal of both its policy and of energy-environment indices.