95 out of 119 students with disabilities are enrolled in the Pusan National University (PNU) Busan campus in the first semester of 2022. A reporter of “Channel PNU” experienced becoming a disabled person for two days to find out how PNU guarantees the right of movement for students with disabilities. As soon as the reporter sat in the wheelchair, invisible obstacles were found when moving around. (The electric wheelchair used by the reporter is technically different from the electric wheelchair used by students with disabilities on campus.)

On May 21st, the reporter turned on the electric wheelchair at exit 3 of PNU Station on the Busan Metro. To get to the Disability Support Center in Seonghak hall (No. 422), the reporter used Jangjeon Oncheoncheon-ro 62beon-gil – Busandaehak-ro 25beon-gil – Busandaehak-ro 35beon-gil – Busandaehak-ro 48beon-gil – Busandaehak-ro 58beon-gil. Usually, it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to walk this.

The reporter did not have difficulties going up and down the sidewalk as the step difference of the road was relatively small. However, due to defects in the construction of the sidewalk blocks, the wheelchair shook violently throughout the movement. The gaps between the sidewalk blocks were widened due to poor finishing of the edge of the sidewalk block and around obstacles such as trees, sewers, and power poles, and the compaction floors around the obstacles were uneven.

Crosswalks without traffic lights were also a problem. The reporter faced a total of 32 crosswalks (including crosswalks at the intersection) from the station to PNU. However, there were only 12 crosswalks with traffic lights, and when crossing the remaining 20 crosswalks, the reporter had to be careful with passing vehicles.

Passing the main gate and standing in front of the uphill road leading to Neogneoghan Teo (No. 203), a sign saying 'No two-wheeled vehicles' blocked the road ahead. The reporter had no choice but to get up from the wheelchair and remove that sign herself. However, disabled students had to ask for the help of someone to pass this obstacle.

PNU Busan campus has a lot of stairs due to the steep slope. The reporter had to make full use of the elevator. The reporter got on the elevator in Neogneoghan Teo (No. 203) and got off the 2nd floor. The problem arose as soon as the reporter got off the elevator. The door to the outside was closed. It was not difficult to open the door while standing, but students in a wheelchair had trouble doing it alone.

After leaving Neogneoghan Teo (No. 203), the reporter moved toward University Headquarters Building (No. 205). There were some measures that consider students with disabilities, such as making the sidewalks and speed bumps the same height and leveling the sidewalks. However, there were trees on the sidewalk from University Headquarters Building (No. 205) to Munchang Center (No. 310), so the reporter had to avoid them. It was a big obstacle for students with disabilities.

There is only one sidewalk on the uphill road leading to Saebyeokbeol Library (No. 301), and there are step differences. Not surprisingly, every time the reporter went up to the sidewalk, the rear wheel of the wheelchair got stuck, and the reporter couldn't move. Considering the weight of the electric wheelchair and the person in the wheelchair, it was an embarrassing situation where two or three adults were needed help to pluck out the wheelchair.

In the end, the reporter was driven down to the road. Even "bollards" (which are piles for vehicle entry protection) were installed next to the sidewalk, which forced the reporter to get closer to the vehicles using the uphill road. After many twists and turns, the reporter finally stood in front of the Disability Support Center after taking about twice as much time as walking on two legs.

Then, on May 28th, assuming the reporter had a lecture, the reporter moved from Seonghak Hall (No. 422) to Administration Building A (No. 514) in a wheelchair. Non-disabled students can go straight to the Social Science Building (No. 421), but students with disabilities cannot use this route due to the step differences and the steep slope. The reporter had to go through the Saebyeokbeol Library to use the safe road. Although it was only a one-time experience, it was an example of the daily life difficulties that students with disabilities had to endure. Lee Jung-Mi (Official, Disability Support Center) said, "It is true that wheelchairs used by students with disabilities are more sophisticated than those used by reporters, but it is still dangerous to move alone. Students with disabilities are looking for the best way to avoid various barriers (obstacles) on their own.”