Led by a car carrying torches intended to symbolize the anger of mentally and physically challenged citizens, dozens of people took to the streets in Taipei yesterday, urging the government to improve accessibility at public facilities and transportation systems.
Holding balloons and colorful banners with their wishes written on them, dozens of people — both handicapped and non-handicapped — marched to call on the government to improve facilities in public places and public transportation systems so that people with disabilities are able to enjoy the same quality of life as everyone else.
“We are here to remind the government that mentally and physically challenged citizens in this country should enjoy the same rights as other citizens, and they have the right to demand easier access” said May Lien (連美滿), chairwoman of Nook Association for Social Awareness, a group devoted to the promotion of a more accessible environment.
“We believe that only when the mentally and the physically challenged enjoy the same rights as everyone else should they be required to shoulder their duties as citizens,” she said.
A physically challenged man who joined the parade, Vincent Huang (黃智堅), agreed.
“A lot of people with disabilities stay at home most of time because of the lack of accessible facilities especially in the public transportation system,” Huang said. “The government never really looks into what we need.”
Citing traveling on the train as an example, Huang said that although many train stations have ramps for wheelchairs and elevators, “ramps and elevators are not the solution to everything.”
He pointed out that gaps between the train and the platform, as well as stairs everywhere are enough to trip up even those without disabilities.
“Not long ago, I saw on the news that a woman — without disabilities — fell when boarding a train because of the gap between the train and the platform, she was seriously injured and filed a lawsuit against the Taiwan -Railway -Administration [TRA],” Huang said. “Well, the TRA said it’s not their fault because the woman should have been more careful in the first place — if this is their attitude, then there is little wonder we do not yet have a truly accessible environment.”
On the other hand, Access for All in Taiwan executive director Hsu Chao-fu (許朝富) said many people in wheelchairs are unable to travel not only because of difficulties with transportation, but also because room doors or restroom doors in many hotels are too narrow for wheelchair access.
“This is a problem even in five-star hotels,” Hsu said. “We don’t get a discount because we’re handicapped, but we don’t get the same level of service.”
The parade attracted the attention of many passers-by.
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