Dear editor,

Regarding the April 20 editorial, ``Let's Make a Difference," I believe the Korean government has to be more proactive and seriously ponder the practical ways to help the disabled, especially concerning the issue of their employment.

To ensure that the disabled have access to economic activity, the government should provide enough financial assistance to purchase state-of-the-art electric wheelchairs and maintaining them.

This will give the disabled greater mobility as many of them are currently suffering from the poor quality of wheelchairs which need frequent costly repairs. Without their freedom of movement secured, no doubt, it's only empty words for them to get a job and live a decent life.

The government should also help them further their education for their careers. Continuous and sustainable job training opportunities are necessary for the disabled to keep them firmly in their jobs as is the case for ordinary people. Helping these people stand on their own is just as important as providing immediate financial assistance.

The government has to create and promote programs to help people become aware that the disabled could be their ``coworkers" who can coexist with them in their jobs as well.

Public sentiment still seems to show a lack of adequate understanding on working with the disabled; they are simply a part of us. To make it a reality, the opportunities for both sides to get guidance on how to cooperate with and build up better understanding of each other are essential.

Our society as a whole as well as the government has raised their voices high on the issue of welfare and human rights of the disabled, touching upon the theme rather superficially. Now, let's just focus on fulfilling their true needs.

Ji Eu-gene
Guri, Gyeonggi Province
wunderme@hanmail.net