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Press Release
Kids with disabilities compete in internet searching
1999.06.19SK Telecom hosts an internet searching contest for the sisabled
Prizes for winners include visit to silicon valley, watching Chanho Park pitch and scholarships
Teenagers with disabilities who dream to become Korea’s Stephen Hawking competed with each other in their ability to search and find information on the Internet in a contest held at the SK Telecom Building of Ehwa Womens Univeristy on June 19.
The contest named "Information Search Contest for Teenagers with Disabilities" was sponsored by SK Telecom to help the teenagers learn how to use information tools in their daily lives.
A total of 140 kids from 48 special schools for disabled children all over the country participated in the contest to demonstrate their ability to use the Internet and search information in cyber space.
On May 22, the teachers of the special schools attended a special class to learn about the concept and the operating system of the Internet, Net surfing and browsing, sending and receiving e-mail and using FTP.
The class named "Information Training for Teachers for Children with Disabilities" was also sponsored by SK Telecom and the purpose was to provide the teachers with basic knowledge and skills before the contest was held because most facilities for disabled children lack PCs with modem connection or well-trained teaching staff.
The company says it held the contest to help the teenagers become competitive members of society by expanding their horizons through the Internet as the country is moving into the Information Age.
Lots of prizes are awaiting the winners.
The grand prize and the second prize winners (a student and a teacher) will receive a scholarship and a tour to California, U.S., that include a visit to Silicon Valley, the world’s mecca of the cutting-edge technology, and tickets to the games in which Chanho Park pitches. A winner will also be selected among the schools and be given the latest model PCs.
Minkyu Kim, 15, who came from the Cheju Island to take part in the contest, said that being in a wheelchair did not stop him from being active in cyber space and he wanted to see his dreams come true in cyber space where unlimited opportunities awaiting him by improving his command of the information tools.
An SK Telecom official said, "we wanted to give the children with disabilities an opportunity to cope with their disabilities, be it physical or psychological, and Internet surfing seemed to be an exciting way to do it." He also said, "we intend to make this a regular event so that SK Telecom can give continuous support to the children and help them improve their information skills."
The contest named "Information Search Contest for Teenagers with Disabilities" was sponsored by SK Telecom to help the teenagers learn how to use information tools in their daily lives.
A total of 140 kids from 48 special schools for disabled children all over the country participated in the contest to demonstrate their ability to use the Internet and search information in cyber space.
On May 22, the teachers of the special schools attended a special class to learn about the concept and the operating system of the Internet, Net surfing and browsing, sending and receiving e-mail and using FTP.
The class named "Information Training for Teachers for Children with Disabilities" was also sponsored by SK Telecom and the purpose was to provide the teachers with basic knowledge and skills before the contest was held because most facilities for disabled children lack PCs with modem connection or well-trained teaching staff.
The company says it held the contest to help the teenagers become competitive members of society by expanding their horizons through the Internet as the country is moving into the Information Age.
Lots of prizes are awaiting the winners.
The grand prize and the second prize winners (a student and a teacher) will receive a scholarship and a tour to California, U.S., that include a visit to Silicon Valley, the world’s mecca of the cutting-edge technology, and tickets to the games in which Chanho Park pitches. A winner will also be selected among the schools and be given the latest model PCs.
Minkyu Kim, 15, who came from the Cheju Island to take part in the contest, said that being in a wheelchair did not stop him from being active in cyber space and he wanted to see his dreams come true in cyber space where unlimited opportunities awaiting him by improving his command of the information tools.
An SK Telecom official said, "we wanted to give the children with disabilities an opportunity to cope with their disabilities, be it physical or psychological, and Internet surfing seemed to be an exciting way to do it." He also said, "we intend to make this a regular event so that SK Telecom can give continuous support to the children and help them improve their information skills."