In order to help Paralympians and visitors with disabilities, Gangwon-do Province is offering various facilities and services to make things easier for guests. And sign language interpretation is just one of many services provided.
Cha Sang-mi reports from PyeongChang, where the Games are taking place.
There's just a few more days until the end of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympics.
But the venues are still crowded with visitors who are here to watch the Games or tour around the Olympic Plaza.
And the organizers have made sure those places are accessible for visitors with disabilities.
“At the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Paralympics, there’s a range of facilities and services for athletes and visitors with disabilities. The sign language translation service is one such service aimed at helping the participants."
This phone comes with a small screen that allows the receiver to see the caller.
Interpreters at this center provide a remote Korean sign language translation service for any athletes or visitors who need it, so that they can ask for directions and find out the games schedule or transport information.
The interpreters are on standby from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day to help interpret communication between the visitors and help desk staff on-site.
Apart from the remote sign language translation services,... more than dozen interpreters are actually working on-site, providing direct services to those in need of a hand.
"I currently provide sign language translation services here at PyeongChang Olympic Plaza for those with hearing impairments. I help them with directions to and from Paralympic Games venues."
Transportation is also visitor-friendly.
Ordinary Seoul buses have been remodeled to cater to visitors with wheelchairs, providing them with enough space so they can safely travel around the venues.
"We have also arranged volunteer services for individual visitors with disabilities, so that the volunteers can accompany them from the moment they get off the shuttle bus."
A wide range of facilities for the handicapped have also been expanded around the Paralympic venues.
"Wheelchair users can use accessibility ramps to enter buildings like this souvenir shop."
Braille blocks and handicapped restrooms have also been added throughout the PyeongChang area to help visitors.
"Just in time for the Paralympics, our shopping arcade prepared several facilities for both the general public and for people with disabilities."
With more facilities and services added for the Paralympics, the mountainous counties of Gangwon-do have become a friendly environment for anyone who wants to visit... even after the Games.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News, PyeongChang.
