The club 'Gaonnuri' has been working hard to create a neighborhood where people with and without disabilities can roam around together and explore with ease. By doing things  like locating shops that are accessible for wheelchairs and suggesting ways to make places easier to get around, they have received a lot of support from local people and have made many improvements until now.

Reported by Kim Hye-suk

Gaonnuri began in 2014 at the Samsan Welfare Center, with the goal of raising disability awareness and bringing a positive change in the local community.
Beginning in 2019, members launched new activities where people with and without disabilities worked together to identify inconvenient facilities and poorly designed spaces, which were then improved through the collective efforts of residents. Currently, a group of 15 members meets regularly every Wednesday to identify problematic locations and recommend improvements, engaging actively in community work.
Relocating bus stops, solving issues with mobility for pedestrians and people with disabilities, and establishing wheelchair-accessible stores are some of their significant accomplishments. Notably, more than thirty stores had pictogram stickers applied, which made it simple for anyone to figure out whether entry is accessible.
They also looked into various issues—such as improperly designed curb ramps, Braille blocks that provided incorrect guidance, damaged pavement blocks, and walking obstructions caused by tree roots—and ensured follow-through from the feasibility review to the actual repairs.
Core members Kim Chun-su, Lee Ae-young, and Jeong Yong-gi said, “It is rewarding to identify inconvenient places ourselves and transform them into more accessible spaces, even if it takes time.” They added, “We are truly happy to contribute to making Samsan-dong a better place to live for both people with and without disabilities.”
Gaonnuri, which is building a livable neighborhood through residents’ action and participation, is excited to welcome new participants.

For inquiries about participation, contact Gaonnuri ☎ 032-529-8607