Brokering progress for S. Korea’s disabled workers

wheel chair, or who is deaf, and say, ‘Wow, they can do this job, look at what a great job they’re doing’ — that’s the only way you change this whole situation.”

She saw indications that change could come. South Korean disability groups seemed willing to work together, greeting her with large welcome banners and enthusiastic crowds.

Accompanied by two South Korean diplomats and a translator, she spoke to hundreds of students at Korea Nazarene University, met with doctors and patients, and tried to identify ways for advocacy groups and employers to work together.

Some smaller-scale changes could happen right away. Advocates in South Korea are pushing the private sector to establish a Disability Equality Index, a metric sponsored by the U.S. Business Leadership Network that gauges large American corporations’ record on hiring people with disabilities.

Ms. Bender is also working with the State Department to encourage American companies with offices in South Korea to lead by example and hire disabled workers. “People with disabilities have great ability and talent and can impact the bottom line in a positive way. You can’t see it as a charity; you have to see it as a business solution.”

She plans to present her findings to the State Department in Washington, D.C., in June. Eventually, she wants to complete the exchange by bringing South Koreans doctors and advocates to the United States.

After the trip, Ms. Bender said a State Department official pulled her aside and said, “’Hey, have you ever thought about going to Mongolia?’”