The legislature passed the third reading of the partial revision for the People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act on Tuesday. The revision further ensures the rights for people with disabilities in traffic accessibility, employment opportunities, health coverage, and support services.
KMT legislator Yang Yu-hsin said Taiwan’s current law does not mandate the transport industry to provide barrier-free services. The amendment will make it mandatory for all forms of transports to provide such a service.
“After the revision is passed, all public transportation must uniformly provide barrier-free services. They can only use the alternative improvement plan if it is unfeasible for them to implement the new standard," said Yang. "The revision will help Taiwan become a country with barrier-free access in all its modes of transportation one day. It paves the way for standardized obstacle-free accessibility that will benefit tourism and senior citizens.”
The revision also mandates public buildings and exercise areas to set up facilities and equipment for people with all disabilities and impairments. This includes close-captioned public notices for people with a hearing impairment.