The Cabinet yesterday approved the first changes to the People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act (身心障礙者權益保障法) in 18 years, which aims to ensure the participation of people with disabilities in the policymaking process and improve accessibility.
The proposed amendments uphold disabled people’s right of representation in policy consultations, clarify services, build up infrastructure and enforce laws to protect them.
Forty-one articles were amended, nine were added and one was removed to align the law more closely with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Photo: CNA
Social and Family Affairs Administration Acting Director Chou Tao-chun (周道君) said that under the new Article 50-1, necessary travel arrangements or supplementary personnel needed by those with physical or mental disabilities when participating in events may be provided through a personal assistant.
An ancillary law and other measures would be drafted to oversee the finer details of implementing that amendment, Chou said.
Article 16 of the draft adds the concept of “harassment,” which is more in line with what people with disabilities might say regarding certain acts that, while not obviously discriminatory, still affect the group in general, and for which they might demand compensation or restitution, Chou said.
The draft also states that representatives, and people with physical and mental disabilities should comprise half of the Executive Yuan’s Committee for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
People who have contravened laws could be banned from being nominated as a committee member for a period of time or for life, depending on the severity of their actions, the draft says.
If a facility that cares for or serves people with disabilities seriously contravenes the law, it would be fined, and its registered name and the name of its manager would be publicly disclosed, it says.
Should the facility’s infractions result in death, it and the manager would face heavier penalties, it added.
Meanwhile, Web sites and apps developed by the government, state-owned businesses and public bodies subsidized by the government must meet the standard government standards for barrier-free content, the amendment states.
Hospital and financial Web sites should comply with the same requirement, it adds.
Local governments must also implement improvement plans if they are found to lack streets, sidewalks and arcades that meet barrier-free policies, the amendment states.
Additionally, transportation policies and services should be revisited to develop rehabilitation buses and similar services, the amendment says.
Independent Living Association Taipei secretary-general Lin Chun-chieh (林君潔) said that while the details of the amendments warrant further discussion, as the act affects a large group of people across different social strata, the government’s willingness to listen to the public deserves appreciation.
Lin added that she hoped the amendments would be discussed in greater detail in the legislature and that it would be passed during this session.
Additional reporting by CNA
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS