Who Intends to Leave Residential Institutions for Persons with Disabilities in Korea

Abstract

This study explores what proportions of the institution residents intend to leave institutions and to live in community settings, and which factors influence their intention to leave, using a survey data collected in Busan, Korea in 2014. The results are; first, deinstitutionalization services were the most significant factor on the intention to leave. Therefore, if the institution residents are to be deinstitutionalized, the residential institutions have to provide them with more deinstitutionalization services. Second, the residents with physical disabilities or with brain lesion disabilities are more likely to have intentions to leave than those with developmental disabilities. The survey result that almost 20% of the institution residents have disabilities other than developmental disabilities shows backwardness of welfare for persons with disabilities in Korea. Deinstitutionalization of persons with disabilities is a policy for persons with developmental disabilities in most OECD countries. However, a substantial number of the institution residents with other disabilities remains in Korea. Korean governments should pursue these programs for persons with developmental disabilities as well as for persons with other disabilities; how to assist their independent living in community settings, and how to improve their intentions to leave residential institutions. In conclusion, persons with disabilities, even with developmental disabilities, should be deinstitutionalized as soon as possible. It is almost impossible for people to enjoy human rights fully in any institutional settings.