Barrier-Free Access Celebrated: Elevator Launch at Jiji Township’s Tianliao Community Activity Center Enhances Accessibility for Elderly and Mobility-Impaired Residents

To provide a more convenient and friendly environment for elderly and mobility-impaired residents, the Jiji Township Office of Nantou County held a grand elevator inauguration ceremony on the morning of the 7th at the Tianliao Community Activity Center. The event was presided over by Jiji Township Mayor Wu Da-cun, alongside Nantou County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua, County Councilors Huang Chun-lin, Hsieh Ming-mou, Chen Shu-hui, Wang Chiu-shu, and Jiji Township Representative Council Chairperson Chen Ya-wen, who jointly announced the official launch of the activity center's elevator. Local residents enthusiastically attended, joyfully witnessing this significant milestone in local infrastructure improvement.

Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua emphasized that with the arrival of an aging society, creating safe, convenient, and barrier-free public spaces has become a key goal for government infrastructure development. The Tianliao Community Activity Center serves as a vital venue for community gatherings, recreation, learning, and operating community care stations. However, due to the lack of an elevator, all activities were previously confined to the first floor, causing severe overcrowding. Utilizing the second-floor space required elders to climb stairs—an arduous and inconvenient task. For years, locals have actively requested the addition of barrier-free facilities and repairs for persistent building leaks.

In response, Jiji Township Office formally applied for funding assistance on January 19, 2024, aiming to provide barrier-free access for Tianliao residents. After evaluation by the County’s Department of Social Affairs and Labor, the necessity for improvements was confirmed. Given that central government funding for barrier-free equipment in community centers has been discontinued, the county government, upholding the principle of "people-centered, caring for elders, supporting the vulnerable," decided to fully subsidize the installation of a barrier-free elevator. Collaborating with the township office, the county undertook a comprehensive renovation—adjusting and upgrading facilities in one phase—at a total cost of nearly 6 million NTD. This enables elders, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and those with mobility challenges to safely and conveniently access public spaces.

Hsu stressed that the successful completion and launch of the new elevator not only resolves vertical accessibility issues but also enhances the overall barrier-free environment and service quality of the activity center. More residents can now participate confidently in community events, transforming the center into a truly inclusive, age-friendly hub for all. The county government will continue collaborating with township offices across the region, actively seeking resources to improve public facilities and create safer, more convenient, and livable communities where all citizens enjoy high-quality public services and improved living standards.

Mayor Wu stated that the barrier-free elevator at Tianliao Community Activity Center fulfills a long-standing local aspiration. The building had suffered from severe leaks due to aging infrastructure. After the township office relayed community appeals to the county government, Magistrate Hsu approved the improvement project. In addition to the county’s 3.6 million NTD subsidy for the elevator, the total budget—including leak repairs, restroom upgrades, and electrical and plumbing improvements—reached approximately 6 million NTD.