The present study aims to examine the current status and strategies of Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA)’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) regarding the disability field since that is one
of the distinguishing sectors of JICA and then to discuss its implications to the Korean ODA policy. For
this purpose, a literature review and a field study were undertaken. The research findings showed that
JICA’s ODA in the disability field is based on a twin-track approach that is mainly consists of two measures,
empowerment and mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in developing countries. More specifically,
empowerment-type assistance refers to direct assistance and improvement of conditions and environment
for persons with disabilities while mainstreaming encourages the full participation of persons with
disabilities in JICA’s projects and the application of barrier-free policy and universal design within physical
environment. Results of the current study indicate that it is essential to establish long-term visions for
the Korean ODA framework regarding the disability field which are empowerment and mainstreaming.
Furthermore, they imply the importance of developing specific policies and a related delivery system in
implementing ODA projects of persons with disabilities in Korea.