The "Day for Persons with Disabilities" (20th April), which celebrates its 43rd anniversary this year, was founded to increase the understanding and welfare of people of disability.

To this end, the Cheongju Church of Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Shincheonji Cheongju Church) introduced assistive devices that allow people of disability and people without disability to engage with the citizens of Cheongju as part of its effort to improve disability awareness.

This year's slogan was 'The collective path, the way to equality', which was designated to reflect on the meaning of harmony and equality between people of disability and people without.

In line with this year's slogan, the event introduced two assistive devices that can be used by both people of disability and people without disability - Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), which refers to the use of objects, symbols, charts, photographs, signing and electronic aids to aid communication, and the use of a tactile Braille book that can be used by visually impaired children.

A participant and local resident, Young-mi Hong (57, female) said, “Because of the specialised content of the event, I initially thought the event was being held by a disability organisation, but I was surprised to learn that it was a church.”

An official from Shincheonji Cheongju Church said, “This event was held with the purpose of ‘creating a world where everyone lives in harmony’ without division.”