CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Ordinance is to prescribe matters concerning establishment and operation of sign language interpretation centers (hereinafter referred to as "centers") in the Seoul Metropolitan Government pursuant to the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities.

Article 2 (General Principle) Where the operating entity of a center wants to receive a subsidy from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, it shall meet each of the following requirements before others:
1. In principle, the head of a center shall represent the center and direct affairs thereof and shall be the person with a certificate of a social worker.
2. The head of a center and workers thereof shall not fall under any category of grounds for disqualification provided in the Social Welfare Services Act and other relevant statutes, and shall meet qualification requirements set by the Mayor;
3. The size of the staff of each center shall be at least five persons, including the head of the center and four sign language interpreters.

Article 3 (Eligible Users) The persons registered as the hearing-impaired or speech-impaired in the area where a center is situated shall be eligible for preferential use of the center: Provided, That any of the following persons may be permitted to use a center upon submission of a request:
1. A person registered as the hearing-impaired or speech-impaired in any area adjacent to the area where the center is situated;
2. A major government office in the area, where it needs to communicate, for an official purpose, with a civil petitioner with a hearing or speech impairment;
3. An ordinary individual who needs to communicate with a hearing-impaired or speech-impaired person.

Article 4 (Scope of Service) The Mayor or a trustee shall provide sign language interpretation service as requested by individuals or public organizations; and operate projects for enhancing rights, interests, and welfare of hearing-impaired or speech-impaired persons.

Article 5 (Establishment and Operation of Steering Committee) (1) Each center shall establish and operate a steering committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee").
(2) The Committee shall be composed of at least five but not exceeding 15 members, including the chairperson.
(3) Committee members shall be appointed or commissioned by the head of relevant Gu, from among the following persons. Provided, That the Committee shall not include more than two persons falling under each subparagraph, but shall include persons falling under subparagraph 1 through 5; and a person under special relationship such as an executive officer of a corporation or a relative of a head of a facility shall be excluded from the Committee:
1. A head of each facility;
2. Representatives of users with disabilities;
3. Representatives of guardians of users of the facility;
4. Representatives of workers of the facility;
5. Public officials of the relevant autonomous Gu who are in charge of social welfare affairs;
6. Representatives of sponsors or local citizens;
7. Persons recommended by a public organization;
8. Other persons who have abundant expertise and experience in operation of facilities.

Article 6 (Election and Term of Office of Chairperson) (1) The chairperson of the Committee shall be elected by and from among members.
(2) The term of office of the chairperson and Committee members shall be three years and may be renewed consecutively once, and the term of office of a Committee member commissioned to fill a vacancy shall correspond to the remaining term of office of his/her predecessor.

Article 7 (Matters Subject to Deliberation by Committee) The Committee shall deliberate on the following matters:
1. Formulating and evaluating management plans;
2. Developing and evaluating social welfare programs;
3. Improving working conditions of workers in each facility;
4. Improving the environment for use by users of each facility;
5. Protecting human rights and enhancing interests of workers and users of each facility;
6. Cooperating between the facility and local communities;
7. Other matters referred by the chairperson for deliberation.

Article 8 (Subsidization of Budget) The Mayor may subsidize each center for expenses incurred in establishment and operation of the center.

Article 9 (Management of Subsidies) Matters not prescribed in this Ordinance concerning the management of subsidies shall be governed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on Management of Local Subsidies; and in any of the following cases, the Mayor may revoke the decision to grant subsidies:
1. Where a center has received a subsidy or performed accounting by fraud or improper means;
2. Where a center pays improperly worker's wages;
3. Where illegal activities such as human rights violations against the workers or users, or other unfair treatments are discovered;
4. Where a center does not follow appropriate directions by the Mayor regarding its management without any just ground.

Article 10 (Enforcement Rule) Matters necessary for the enforcement of this Ordinance shall be prescribed by rule.