#DisabilityInclusion Campaign

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Disability certification serves as official recognition of an individual’s physical or mental disability, and allows access to a range of assistance and services, including, but not limited to, the ability to hire migrant homecare, obtain economic relief for costly medical treatments and equipment, enroll at special education schools, receive transportation discounts for elders and their helpers, and even acquire a disabled parking permit. However, the government currently prohibits immigrants who are not of Taiwanese or Japanese nationality from applying for Disability Certification even if they are long- ccording to national (5.1%) and global (16%) proportions of disabled individuals, it is estimated that between 40,000 and 176,000 foreign residents in Taiwan with a physical or mental disability are being systematically ignored and denied official recognition via a Disability Certification (身心障礙證明 or 殘 障手冊). And now, as the foreign resident population ages and Taiwan ramps up its efforts to attract and retain new talent, this has become an increasingly glaring issue requiring immediate attention and resolution.term, tax-paying permanent residents.

With the #DisabilityInclusion campaign, Crossroads and My Several Worlds - Chronic Pain and Disability Awareness are now raising public awareness and support on this issue, while actively working with powerful legislators and government officials in the Ministry of Health and Welfare, National Development Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Interior to push for reform.

You may learn more about the issue and show your support by signing our bilingual petition on the official join.gov.tw website in the following link: https://shorturl.at/depw2. Since the website interface is only in Chinese, you may refer to English instructions here: https://shorturl.at/pQW07

If you are an immigrant and see Taiwan as your home, we strongly encourage you to also inquire with your embassy or mission representatives about residents from your native country being included.

Please look forward to new updates on our progress on this campaign. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ CrossroadsTaiwan. Thank you for your time and support.

“I am not allowed home visits by medical professionals to evaluate care needs (assistive devices, care technique..), no parking sticker for disability, no financial support for wheelchair taxi, no grants for the purchase of any assistive devices (wheelchair, electrical bed, mucus pump, oxygen tank...), no support to my wife who is taking care of me (沒有喘息服務), no information on therapist need, no support on public transportation fare (沒 有敬老或殘障優惠)”

— Michael Boyden, UK resident of Taiwan for 34 years diagnosed with Atypical Parkinsonism

“Time is of the essence for many of us living in Taiwan. I suffer from a disabling type of inflammatory spinal arthritis called Axial Spondyloarthritis. I live in chronic pain every day. Disability affects EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE. It’s expensive: Meds, supplements, vitamins, & liquid meals; medical supplies, parking costs, at home assistance, mobility aids, prosthetics, dietary needs, adaptive devices; disability taxis at NT$400, and many hospital visits each year add up. People with disabilities face higher healthcare costs, lower quality care, & less preventative care. It is important that everyone has access to disability services. Disability does not discriminate. Anyone can become disabled at any time. We all deserve to have equal access to Taiwan’s disability services.”

— Carrie Kellenberger, Canadian resident of Taiwan for 17 years with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and MECFS

“I am legally blind in both eyes with no functional vision. Some foundations offer training courses, counseling, and social care assistance to people with visual impairments, but their services are only for Taiwanese nationals. Assistive devices such as walking canes can be freely obtained, but only by local Taiwanese who are blind.”

— Andrew Klerck, South African resident of Taiwan for 19 years diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic condition that causes blindness

David Chang, Secretary-General, Crossroads. Email: david@crossroads.tw.