The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) investigated discrimination against children with both vision and hearing disabilities in kindergartens, and primary and secondary schools; recommended that the Minister of Education and Human Resources Development investigate conditions for children with both vision and hearing disabilities, formulate appropriate educational policy for them, nurture professional teachers with expertise in disabilities, and give regular classroom teachers appropriate training; and recommended that the minister of health and welfare investigate conditions of people with both vision and hearing disabilities.
There are far fewer children with both vision and hearing disabilities than with other types of disabilities. The Commission’s investigation findings are as follows:
□ Status of Children with Both Vision and Hearing Disabilities in Kindergartens and Primary and Secondary Schools
As of the end of 2007, there were thirty one children with both vision and hearing disabilities in kindergartens and primary and secondary schools throughout the country: three in kindergartens; seventeen in elementary schools; eight in middle schools; and three in high schools. Sixteen were male and fifteen were female. It is believed that a majority of children with both vision and hearing disabilities attend special schools for students with vision disabilities. However, the NHRCK found that thirteen go to special schools for students with vision disabilities (eight schools); eleven to special schools for students with other types of disabilities (five schools); and seven to ordinary schools (seven schools).
□ Status of Education for Children with Both Vision and Hearing Disabilities in Kindergartens and Primary and Secondary Schools
Children with both vision and hearing disabilities experience the greatest difficulties in communication. Their educational needs are not like those of children with only vision or hearing disabilities, and the obligation to provide them suitable education is set forth in the Constitution, Framework Act on Education, Act on Welfare of the Disabled, and the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. However, the Commission found that the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development has not devised policy on the education of children with both vision and hearing disabilities on the grounds that such children are so few in number. Under these circumstances, schools and teachers are left to their own devices to create programs for those children and teach them. In addition, professional teachers for children with both vision and hearing disabilities are not being nurtured and regular classroom teachers are not being trained. Neither are professional treatment teachers and assistants being provided.
□ Status of Persons with Both Vision and Hearing Disabilities
A survey of people with both vision and hearing disabilities would provide basic materials for formulating policies promoting their welfare as well as their education policies. However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has never carried out such a survey. The number of persons with both vision and hearing disabilities in the country is estimated at 5,000 to 6,000, only about 0.2% of 2,010,560 registered disabled people as of the end of March 2007.
Based on its findings, the Commission determined that action must be taken to rectify discrimination in education against children with both vision and hearing disabilities in kindergartens and primary and secondary schools. Against this backdrop, it issued said recommendations to the minister of education and human resources development and the minister of health and welfare.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea was established in 2001, offering investigation and remedy services for Korean citizens and foreigners residing in Korea against human rights violations and discrimination. The Commission provides policy recommendations and remedial action against human rights infringements, collaborates with international human rights organizations and implements educational programs to improve the human rights culture.
