이 연구는 일본의 보조공학 관련 법률의 내용을 분석하여, 수요가 급증하고 있는 우리나라 장애인과 노인을 위한 보조공학 기기의 개발 및 보급에 대한 인식과 철학에 대한 시사점을 얻고자 실시되었다. 현재 우리나라의 보조공학 관련 법률은 일원화된 법체계를 가지고 있지 못하며, 장애인복지법, 특수교육 관련법, 정보통신 관련법 등에 일부 조항으로 언급되어 산재해 있을 뿐이며, 정책적인 지원수준도 이에 준해 매우 열악한 수준에 머물러 있다. 이에 비해, 일본은 1993년에 복지용구의 개발 및 보급의 촉진에 대한 법률을 제정하여 장애인과 노인을 위한 보조공학 기기를 개발하고, 그것을 효과적으로 보급하고 있다. 이러한 일본의 보조공학 관련 법률은 또한 보조공학 기기를 장애인과 노인을 사회적 통합의 수단으로 바라볼 때 법률의 취지를 보다 긍정적으로 이해할 수 있다. 특히, 보조공학 산업의 특성상 다품종 소량 생산이 예측되기 때문에 실제적으로 장애인과 노인에게 개발된 보조공학 기기가 효과적으로 보급되지 않는다면 그 의미가 사라질 수 있으므로, 보조공학 기기 개발과 보급을 촉진하기 위한 표준화와 안정성에 대한 법률 제정 등의 현실적 적용을 기하고 있다. 이러한 일본의 법률은 비록 개별성을 인정하더라도 우리가 일관성 있게 장애인의 보조공학 기기뿐만 아니라 필요한 복지기기를 개발·보급함에 있어서 산발적이고 안정적이지 못한 우리에게 시사하고 있는 바가 매우 크다고 할 수 있다.

This study was performed in order to get suggestion regarding recognition and philosophy on development and propagation of assistive technology in Korean aged peolple and disabled people of which demand is being increased suddenly by analyzing content of laws related to assistive technology of Japan. Laws related to assistive technology in Korea very feable and non-systematic. In Korea, legislation of laws for assistive technology has not into operation. While, in Japan, laws regarding promotion of development and propaganda of welfare tools of Japan was established in 1993, and developed rehabilitation engineering machinery and tools for the aged persons and disabled persons and became to propagate those effectively. And When seeing assistive technology and tools as means of social unification of the aged persons and disabled persons, then purpose of the laws can be understood more affirmatively. Particularly, as multiple item small quantity production is estimated as far as character is concerned, if developed supplementary engineering machinery and tools are not propagated actually to the aged persons and disabled persons effectively, then its meaning may be disappeared, so standardization for promotion of development and propagation of the supplementary engineering machinery and tools. laws establishment etc regarding stability are being made. Though recognizing such individuality of laws of Japan, but not only related to supplementary engineering of the disabled persons consistently, but also in developing · propagating necessary welfare machinery and tools, it can be said that it suggests greatly to us who are sporadic and unstable.

This study was performed in order to get suggestion regarding recognition and philosophy on development and propagation of assistive technology in Korean aged peolple and disabled people of which demand is being increased suddenly by analyzing content of laws related to assistive technology of Japan. Laws related to assistive technology in Korea very feable and non-systematic. In Korea, legislation of laws for assistive technology has not into operation. While, in Japan, laws regarding promotion of development and propaganda of welfare tools of Japan was established in 1993, and developed rehabilitation engineering machinery and tools for the aged persons and disabled persons and became to propagate those effectively. And When seeing assistive technology and tools as means of social unification of the aged persons and disabled persons, then purpose of the laws can be understood more affirmatively. Particularly, as multiple item small quantity production is estimated as far as character is concerned, if developed supplementary engineering machinery and tools are not propagated actually to the aged persons and disabled persons effectively, then its meaning may be disappeared, so standardization for promotion of development and propagation of the supplementary engineering machinery and tools. laws establishment etc regarding stability are being made. Though recognizing such individuality of laws of Japan, but not only related to supplementary engineering of the disabled persons consistently, but also in developing · propagating necessary welfare machinery and tools, it can be said that it suggests greatly to us who are sporadic and unstable.

Assistive technology, Aged People, People with disabilities, Legislation, Law