Tung Tzu-wei Makes 7 Pledges to Care for Keelung's 20,000 Citizens with Disabilities

Keelung, Taiwan (CNA) - Democratic Progressive Party Keelung mayoral candidate Tung Tzu-wei's campaign today announced "7 Pledges for the Rights and Interests of Persons with Disabilities," targeting Keelung's over 20,000 families with disabled members. The proposals include doubling welfare payments, prioritizing procurement, and providing care for elderly disabled individuals and their families, aiming to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities.

Wu Ting-feng, policy director for Tung Tzu-wei's Progressive Keelung Office, stated at a press conference today that the first pledge is to "Double the Holiday Welfare Payments for Persons with Disabilities," increasing the annual total from NT$4,500 to NT$9,000 to alleviate the pressure on families with disabled members.

Wu Ting-feng added that the second pledge is to establish a true partnership with various disability rights associations and simplify application and reimbursement processes. The third pledge is for the city government to take the lead in expanding "priority procurement of goods and services from disability organizations and sheltered workshops." The fourth pledge is to "Upgrade Barrier-Free and Friendly Tourism," allowing caregivers to have respite and enabling persons with disabilities to safely access Keelung's attractions.

Wu Ting-feng stated that the fifth pledge is to "Expand Diverse Sports Activities," promoting sports suitable for different types of disabilities, such as handcycling and boccia. The sixth pledge is "Peace of Mind and Care for Dual-Elderly Families," as 80% of Keelung's disabled population is over 45 years old. The plan is to actively increase institutional beds and community care centers to ensure that disabled families have support in their old age.

Wu Ting-feng pointed out that the seventh pledge involves introducing smart technology, including an AI-powered dispatch system for accessible transportation services to optimize scheduling during peak and off-peak hours. For elderly disabled citizens living alone, the plan is to implement the installation of an "All-Weather Emergency Assistance System" and response mechanisms. Special subsidies will also be provided for necessary assistive device consumables, such as batteries for electric mobility scooters and for those with hearing impairments.

Furthermore, Wu Ting-feng mentioned that Keelung City was rated "C" in the central government's social welfare performance evaluation for 113 (2024), ranking last in Taiwan. The Keelung City Government stated that it has long prioritized the care of persons with disabilities and their families, respects suggestions from all sectors, and will continue to improve relevant services and care resources in the future, promoting friendly and inclusive policies to meet citizens' expectations. (Edited by Chang Ming-kun) 0623

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