Change our life Change our society Chun Chieh

Change our life ! Change our society! Chun Chieh Lin New vitality Independent Living Center, Republic of China (Taiwan)

Republic of China (Taiwan) • Area： 36, 000 km² • Total population： 23, 000 • Population of PWDs: 1, 100, 000 4. ７％ • House： 92. 96% • Residential institutions： 7%

• In 1970 s, bureaucratic government controlled the media. There was not freedom of speech. Disability was considered as private issue. Hence, PWDs were treated as if the burden of family and society. There were institutions for blind persons which were established in the era of Japanese occupation and also those for children with disabilities run by churches. Traditionally, disabilities were assumed as a result of sin in the previous life. However, since Christian considered PWDs were children of God, the number of Christian institutions was increased. Church-family-expert established many organizations for PWDs. • In 1971, Republic of China (Taiwan) withdrew from the United Nations. Its participation into international activities became difficult. This limited the available information on PWDs. • In 1980, disability welfare law was enacted. There were movements for improvement of accessibilities or protesting rejection of PWDs’ enrollment to universities and employment as civil servant. These movements, however, were mainly for persons with mild disabilities organized by family and experts. • In 1992, the government permitted immigration of foreign workers (from South East Asia, especially form Philippines and Indonesia). PWDs employed these workers by self payment, about 600 – 900 USD per month, as 24 hour and live-in care attendants. The government neglected its responsibility on personal assistance. • In 1997, Handicapped Welfare Act was amended as People with Disabilities Protection Act. Discriminative term “Handicapped” was no longer used. • In 2007, People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act was newly established. PWDs could use public transportation in half-price, and domestic flight in free. (New Vitality Independent Living Center, Taipei, was established. ) • In 2008, the national pension system started. Persons with severe disabilities who cannot work have about 120 USD per month. (Average salary of university graduate is about 800 USD per month. ) • In 2011, the government introduced ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health). It also introduced articles on independent living and support services. • In 2012, the system of independent living was started!

Self-Introduction I was born in 1980 Medical treatment in Japan

• I lived in community with family. However, I was segregated from society in several occasions. • Even segregated, I tried to be like a person without disability…. I joined Duskin Leadership Training …. ts as h ig r e v a h I ! I awoke a n. a m o w s a , g human bein • 1. I have human rights. • 2. Society made disability. • 3. I joined international networks and had fellows.

2006 The First IL Seminar in Republic of China (Taiwan) • This is the first independent living seminar organized with initiative of PWDs. • 100 people participated. • We invited Japanese persons with severe disabilities with PAs for lectures on IL movements and services. • There were many media coverage of the seminar. • Preparation group of IL Center was launched.

Provision of service： Home visit / IL program / Peer support Social movement： Lectures on IL philosophy at schools and organizations / Accessibility / Negotiation with government on PA service / Advocacy / Workshop The center was established in 2007. We received the fund support from Japan. In 2008, we started PA service and IL program with fund from the community chest. In 2009, the fund for PA service stopped. In 2011, the fund for IL program stopped. In 2012, the system of the government started.

Provision of PA Service and IL Program • PWDs who were segregated in a house for long years. • PWDs who were segregated from the society and contained in institutions for long years. • PWDs who were segregated from the society even though they lived in community. • 20, 30, 40 years….

Let’s go to movie theater！ Courage Energy Let’s play together! Let’s get on board! Possibility We change the society！

Seminar / Workshop / Training • 2006 Republic of China (Taiwan) -Japan Independent Living Seminar • 2006 Independent Living Workshop • 2007 Workshop for Human Rights and Abuse Prevention • 2008 International IL Seminar Republic of China (Taiwan)-Japan Forum on Independent Living of PWDs • 2010 Peer-counseling Workshop Republic of China (Taiwan)-Japan IL Seminar • 2011 Republic of China (Taiwan)-Japan Disability Leadership Training • Republic of China (Taiwan)-Japan Personal Assistant Training

• Publication: 4 books and 2 videos Media Coverage

Asia Try • 2007 Asia try in Korea • 2009 Asia try in Republic of China (Taiwan) • 2011 Asia try in Mongol

Overseas Training Programs • 1. Training for PWDs • 2. Training for PAs • 3. Training for CIL staffs

Fellowship

Power of PWDs Participation into Policymaking in h t o N t u o b ga h t i w us, ! ! s u out

• 1. Negotiation for the right of PWD to board an airplane without attendant. • 2. Demand for accessible transportation • 3. Awareness raising on PWDs’ needs at public spaces and events. • 4. Demand for the rights of PWDs to participate into government meetings. • 5. Demand for PA service for independent living of persons with severe disabilities in community. • 6. Demand for personal assistance at working places.

Present Situation • 1. The article 50 of People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act says services for independent living must be provided. • 2. Under this article, Chinese government budgeted 7, 000 USD for nation wide independent living pilot project which started on July 11. • 3. This project has programs of PA service and peersupport. • 4. Persons with the most severe disabilities, however, can only receive 60 hours of PA service per month. (Home help service provides 90 hours) • 5. Project programs are not enough PWD centered yet.

Challenges 1. Many people still believe the issues of PWDs are responsibility of family. 2. Difficulty of PWDs in transition from segregated life to participation into the movements. 3. Participation of persons without disabilities into the movements is still small. 4. Power of experts and families is strong. 5. Awareness of Chinese society to the human rights is weak.

New IL Center was established in Kaohsiung this March! There are several preparation groups: Tainan, Taichung, Chiayi

• 2007 -2010 Dissemination of the philosophy of independent living Empowerment of PWDs by introducing IL services • 2011 -2015 PWDs’ social participation and influence to policymaking Establish national association of IL centers!