The analysis of the accessibility improvement plan for the mobility handicapped persons in passenger ship

Abstract

The mobility handicapped person means a person whose mobility is limited as a result of permanent severe physical disability such as the disabled persons, the pregnant women, and the elderly persons. The ratio of the mobility handicapped person in Korea is about 25.8% among the entire population. In order to prepare for the enforcement of the Transportation Services Improvement Act for the Mobility Handicapped People, which was passed in parliament in Dec. 2004, various equipments and installations need to be developed to ensure appropriate level of safety for the mobility handicapped to use maritime transport. While approximately 10 million people are using domestic passenger vessels annually, general preference for maritime transport is very low, especially for the mobility handicapped. Through development and distribution of various amenities for the convenience of the mobility handicapped, general requirements for the improvement in marine transport can be reflected and general interest on marine culture and tourism can be connected with domestic tourism and shipbuilding industry. The objectives of this paper is to investigate the current status of domestic passenger vessel usage by the mobility handicapped, to analysis the requirements for amenities necessary for the mobility handicapped and develop accessibility guidelines for amenities for the mobility handicapped persons in order to prepare for the enforcement of the Transportation Services Improvement Act for the Mobility Handicapped People. ？ 2008 IADIS.