Disability in Taiwan
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As of 2007, there are almost one million people with various levels of physical and mental disabilities in Taiwan.[1]
Law
In 1980, the Welfare Law for the Handicapped and Disabled was enacted which listed six types of disabilities. The law has been amended several times since then until in 1997 it became the Protection Law for the Handicapped and Disabled listing fourteen disabilities.[2] In 2006, Taiwan adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to upholds its human rights protection for people with disabilities.[3] Disabilities Rights Protection Act was enacted in July 2007.[4] Taiwan Accessibility Building Code was amended in 2008 for buildings to provide more access for disabled people.[5] Public Officials Election and Recall Law was amended on 26 November 2008 to ensure any polling place is barrier-free venue or equipped with tools or additional facilities if such venue does not exist.[6]
Benefits
Disabled people in Taiwan are entitled to receive subsidies, benefits, house value-added tax rebate and income tax rebate depending on their level of disability.[4][2]
Employment
Any employer shall not discriminate against any disabled candidates or refusing employment due to his/her disability. Private companies must employ at least one person with disability for every 67 person employed.[4] As of September 1998, Lienchiang County has the best performance of meeting the disabled employment quota among all municipalities, cities or counties in Taiwan. Unemployment among disabled people in Taiwan is 14.7%, triple of the amount of those general population which is 4.99%.[1]
Budget
As of 1999, budget for special education by the Ministry of Education is NT$3.58 billion. The ministry subsidizes private charity organizations that help disabled people.[2]
Public facilities
Transportation
Air
Airports provide personnel to assist disabled people free of charge throughout the entire journey from check-in until baggage reclaim.[4]
Rail
All of the metro, subway and high speed rail in Taiwan are equipped with accessibility for disabled people.[4][7]
Road
New public buses in Taipei are equipped with wheelchair access and designated areas. Most of traffic lights are equipped with audible signal for visually impaired people.[4]
Elections
Polling places are fitted with barrier-free access. In the event of unavailability of such facility, then relevant tool are used to help disabled people cast their ballots.
Organizations
Non-profit organizations in Taiwan that promotes the awareness and help for disabled people are:
Schools
There are 20 special schools in Taiwan dedicated for the blind, deaf, handicapped and mentally retarded students. Students are either take bus or live within the school compounds. Those with severe disabilities, visiting teachers will visit them to hospitals or homes.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities". United Way of Taiwan. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Helping the Disabled Is Helping Ourselves". Taiwan Today. 1 January 1999. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ Chen, Wei-ting; Hsu, Elizabeth (3 November 2017). "Taiwan's protection of rights for the disabled fall short: expert". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f "People With Disabilities". Angloinfo. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ Hsu, Jacky; Chen, Ming-de. "TAIWAN: Advocates work for accessible trails". American Trails. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ Zeldin, Wendy (8 December 2008). "Taiwan: Election Law Amended to Provide Disabled Better Polling Station Access". Library of Congress. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ "Accessible Elevator". Taiwan Railways Administration. 11 December 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ "Taiwan Access for All Association". Duofu. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ "About Us". United Way of Taiwan. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
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