Yongin Special City to Operate Swimming Lane for People with Disabilities at Dongbaek Mir Human Center from September

Yongin Special City announced on the 10th that, starting in September, it will pilot a dedicated swimming lane for people with disabilities at the Dongbaek Mir Human Center pool in Jung-dong, Giheung-gu, so that people with disabilities can enjoy swimming as conveniently as those without disabilities.

The measure is intended to expand opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sports for all and to support aquatic rehabilitation. Although there are seven public pools in the region, there had not been sufficient dedicated spaces and operating programs where people with disabilities could use the facilities with peace of mind.

Accordingly, the city designated one of the ten 25-meter lanes at the first-floor pool of the Dongbaek Mir Human Center as a dedicated lane for people with disabilities during certain time slots, allowing them to enjoy swimming as leisure and to benefit from rehabilitation.

To this end, the city will operate free swimming sessions and small-group lesson programs for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities.

Free swimming is available on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on weekends from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Up to 20 people can use the single lane.

The small-group lessons for people with developmental disabilities are especially noteworthy. They are divided into a class for school-age children and a class for adolescents, with each class having two instructors who safely guide 4 to 6 participants. Guardians or activity supporters may accompany participants who need assistance.

The children's class runs every Monday from 4 p.m. and the adolescent class from 5 p.m., each lasting 50 minutes. Both programs are open to persons registered as disabled under the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities. The free swimming fee is 2,000 won per session, and the lesson fee is 60,000 won per month (four sessions), 50% lower than the regular price.

The city plans to pilot the programs from September to November this year, then review a plan to include them as regular programs in 2027 based on user satisfaction and operating results.

To provide convenience for people with disabilities, the Dongbaek Mir Human Center pool is equipped with two family shower rooms of about 9㎡ each, two family changing rooms of about 10㎡ each, and men's and women's disabled restrooms of 11.5㎡.

The family shower rooms have low-mounted shower holders so that people with disabilities, the elderly, and children can use them conveniently. Folding chairs are installed on the walls, and diaper-changing tables for adolescents and adults are also provided.

Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-il said, “As a matter of careful consideration for families of people with disabilities, we equipped the Dongbaek Mir Human Center pool with family shower rooms, changing rooms, and disabled restrooms,” adding, “Swimming is a sport loved by both people with and without disabilities. I hope that citizens can now fully enjoy swimming, which aids rehabilitation and exercise, at the Dongbaek Mir Human Center without distinction of disability.”