Focusing on Rights of Children with Disabilities, New Power Party Urges Renaming 'Wheelchair Seats' to 'Mobility Aid Seats'

(CNA, Taipei, 10th) New Power Party (NPP) Chairwoman Wang Wan-yu said today that children with disabilities, due to their special age and physical condition, often need to use strollers as mobility aids. However, they face obstacles when taking Taiwan Railways or attending arts and cultural performances, with the reason being that a 'stroller is not a wheelchair.' She urged that 'wheelchair seats' should be officially renamed 'mobility aid seats' and a unified certification mechanism should be established.

The press conference, themed 'Inconsistent Accessibility Standards? Establish an Aid Certification Mechanism to Implement Disability Equality,' was held in front of the Legislative Yuan's Chun-Hsien Building today. Participants included NPP Chairwoman Wang Wan-yu, New Taipei City councilor candidate Chen Wan-yu from the Obasan Alliance for Political Participation, and Deputy Secretary-General Chuang Chi-ming of the Taiwan League for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities.

Wang Wan-yu pointed out that because children with disabilities have unique age and physical needs, they must use strollers as mobility aids. Unexpectedly, they face constant rejection when taking Taiwan Railways or attending arts performances, simply because a 'stroller is not a wheelchair.'

Wang stated that the core spirit of the 'People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act' and the UN's 'Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)' is not just 'non-discrimination' and 'accessibility,' but more crucially, ensuring the 'social participation' of people with disabilities and providing 'reasonable accommodation.' Refusing to make flexible adjustments based on a child's real situation is, by CRPD's definition, the most direct form of discrimination.

Wang pointed out that the Ministry of Health and Welfare, as the competent authority for the rights of persons with disabilities, should not allow various ministries to act independently, leaving parents to face difficulties from each unit on their own. It should proactively coordinate with relevant authorities like the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of Culture, and Ministry of Sports to effectively protect the basic rights of disabled children to access public transportation, public facilities, and participate in various public activities.

Wang proposed three specific demands: First, accessibility regulations for public transportation must be consistent across Taiwan, with front-line staff training implemented. Second, public performance and exhibition spaces should follow the same model to ensure consistent accessibility seating regulations. Third, 'wheelchair seats' should be officially renamed 'mobility aid seats,' and a unified certification mechanism should be established.

Chuang Chi-ming, who has the rare disease 'osteogenesis imperfecta,' pointed out that his body shape is different from most people, making it very difficult to find a fitting 'wheelchair.' Even finding fitting clothes is hard, let alone assistive devices.

Chuang said that if a child with a disability is deemed ineligible to purchase a wheelchair seat simply because they cannot sit in a 'wheelchair,' it means the ticketing staff lack sufficient disability awareness and sensitivity. He called for anyone with a disability certificate who can prove a need for wheelchair seating—whether they use a wheelchair, a mobility scooter, or a stroller—to be recognized as a person in need and be supported. (Editor: Zhai Si-jia) 1150610