Disability Activity Assistants

The Disability Activity Assistant plays a role in providing activity support services to individuals with severe disabilities who have difficulty in daily life or social activities due to physical or mental disabilities. To do so, Disability Activity Assistants must complete specialized training, which is offered to adults aged 18 and older.

1.  Qualification Requirements

   • Education: No specific educational restrictions.
   • Physical and Mental Requirements: Must be physically and mentally capable of supporting individuals with disabilities.
   • Completion of Training: Must complete the training program at a certified disability activity support institution.
   • Disqualifications:
     • Individuals with mental disorders.
     • Individuals addicted to narcotics or psychotropic substances.
     • Individuals convicted of sexual offenses.
     • Other legal disqualifications (e.g., those sentenced to prison terms of more than 1 year).

   ※ Please refer to Article 29 (Grounds for Disqualification of Activity Support Personnel)

2.  Training Courses

   Course Type	Eligible Participants	Training Hours	Tuition Fee	Remarks
   Standard Course	Those who wish to become disability activity support workers	40 hours of theory/practice + 10 hours of field training	150,000 KRW	Certificate issued
   Advanced Course	Social workers, caregivers, nurses, nursing assistants, and similar professionals	32 hours of theory/practice + 10 hours of field training	120,000 KRW	Certificate issued

3.  Key Responsibilities

   – Daily Life Support

   • Assist with basic daily activities such as eating, washing, changing clothes, and mobility.

   – Social Activity Support

   • Assist with going out, visiting hospitals, shopping, and participating in cultural activities.

   – Emotional Support

   • Provide emotional support by being a conversation partner and offering a sense of emotional stability.

   – Educational and Employment Support

   • Assist with learning activities and provide support related to job preparation.

4.  Work Environment and Conditions

   • Working Hours: Set in consultation with the client, with possible weekend and night shifts.
   • Work Type: Can be either part-time or full-time.
   • Salary: Varies depending on region, experience, and working hours, with government subsidies included

5.  Foreign Disability Activity Assistants

   • Target: Foreigners can work as disability activity assistants.
   • Residency Status: Must verify the residency status through a foreigner registration card or certificate of residence.
     • Eligible Residency Status: F-2, F-4, F-5, F-6, H-1, H-2 visas.
     • Eligible Visa Types under the Immigration Control Act Enforcement Decree, Article 12 for hiring:
       • F-2 (Resident): Minor children of nationals, spouses of F-5 visa holders (permanent residents).
       • F-4 (Overseas Koreans): Individuals who once held Korean nationality but acquired foreign nationality, or those whose parents or grandparents had Korean nationality and acquired foreign nationality.
       • F-5 (Permanent Resident): Permanent residents.
       • F-6 (Marriage Immigrant): Spouses of Korean nationals.
       • H-1 (Tourism Employment): Nationals of countries that have agreements with Korea regarding tourism and employment.
       • H-2 (Visiting Employment): Workers under the H-2 visa for special cases.

       Important Notes:

       • For businesses hiring individuals with H-2 visas, they must obtain foreign worker employment permission from the local employment center in advance.
       • To obtain this employment permit, the business must be registered in an industry allowed for H-2 visa holders under Article 12 of the Immigration Control Act Enforcement Decree, such as social welfare services or personal caregiving services (as defined by the Korean Standard Industry Classification, e.g., services under code 87 and 96993).
   • Key Considerations:
     • Disqualifications.
     • Communication ability.