Gwangmyeong City Programs for People with Disabilities and People with Borderline Intellectual Functioning Selected as Outstanding Cases for Third Consecutive Year

Excellence awards in two categories at Gyeonggi Province presentation
City-run curriculum also recognized for its achievements

Gwangmyeong City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Park Seungwon), has had its lifelong education programs for people with disabilities and people with borderline intellectual functioning selected as outstanding cases in Gyeonggi Province for three consecutive years. This year, a lifelong learning program for people with disabilities planned and operated directly by the city was also selected, recognizing its ability to run its own curriculum.

Gwangmyeong City receives the Excellence Award for its lifelong learning program for people with disabilities at the “2026 Best Practices Presentation on Lifelong Education for People with Disabilities and Borderline Intellectual Functioning” held at Hwaseong Purumi Hotel on the 30th. Photo provided by Gwangmyeong City.

Gwangmyeong City announced on October 30 that it received the Gyeonggi Province Governor's Award of Excellence in both the people with disabilities and people with borderline intellectual functioning categories at the "2026 Best Practices Presentation on Lifelong Education for People with Disabilities and People with Borderline Intellectual Functioning," held at Hwaseong Purumir Hotel.

At the presentation, organized by the Gyeonggi Provincial Institute for Lifelong Learning, 10 projects in the people with disabilities category and five in the people with borderline intellectual functioning category were selected as outstanding cases from among province-funded lifelong education projects in 31 cities and counties across Gyeonggi Province. Gwangmyeong City was selected this year, following 2024 and last year.

In the people with disabilities category, "School Facing Each Other," "Digital World, Kiumteo" and "Digital Artist Special Lecture" were selected. The city planned and operated these programs directly, achieving results through its own curriculum in addition to subsidy-funded programs run by existing private institutions.

"School Facing Each Other" supported people with disabilities in expressing themselves, building relationships and improving their daily living skills through specialized courses that are difficult to find at existing educational institutions. "Digital World, Kiumteo" broadened its curriculum, from smartphone basics to digital art and creative activities using artificial intelligence (AI). In the "Digital Artist Special Lecture," an artist with a disability shared their creative experiences.

In the people with borderline intellectual functioning category, "Small Achievements, the Strength of Togetherness," with the Gwangmyeong Social Economy Social Cooperative participating as a project operator, was selected. The program provides collaborative education tailored to learners' characteristics and pace, from elementary, middle and high school students to adults, helping them build confidence and social skills. It also offers education for parents, enabling families and the local community to support learners' development together.

Gwangmyeong Mayor Park Seungwon said, "Lifelong learning is a right that every citizen should enjoy and a foundation for a better life. We will expand education that reflects citizens' diverse characteristics and needs and build a Gwangmyeong where no one is left behind in learning."

In 2018, Gwangmyeong City became the first in the country to declare itself a lifelong learning city for people with disabilities. In 2023, it enacted the "Gwangmyeong City Ordinance on Support for Lifelong Education for People with Borderline Intellectual Functioning" and began implementing related support programs.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.