The Hanabook for the Disabled is a kind of "second I.D." issued by the government to people with disabilities. Those who receive the handbook are entitled to benefits stipulated by the Law of Welfare for the Disabled, such as tax concessions, medical treatment, living subsidies, half-price travel and a number of other benefits.

According to Ministry of the Interior statistics, 214,627 people have received the Handbook for the Disabled.

Who can get the handbook?

People who have disabilities within the following categories: impaired vision; impaired hearing or balance; speech or linguistic impediments; bodily disabilities; learning disabilities; multiple disabilities; malfunction of important internal organs; facial deformities and wounds; coma or senile dementia; autism; others (as defined by the central authorities). Any of these entitles a person to apply for the handbook to the county, city, or district listed on their household registration document.

Applicants receive their handbook after being screened by a hospital. It is understood that that there is no age limit for applicants, but the requirements of the examination impose a practical limit of two or three years and over.

What is the Law on Welfare for the Disabled?

The purpose of the Law on Welfare for the Disabled is to safeguard the living standards and legal rights of disabled people and to codify in law the various benefits and relief measures they are entitled to.

The law was put into force in June 1980 and comprises a total of 26clauses. Following amendment in January 1990, it now has 31 clauses. Its contents include the various forms of assistance provided by government agencies, establishment of a Disablement Welfare Committee, the various kinds of assistance related to disabled people, welfare, and strengthened implementation of guarantees of employment rights for disabled people.

What is the amended Clause 17 of the Law on Welfare for the Disabled?

Clause 17 of the Law on Welfare for the Disabled (1980) stipulated: "All levels of government agencies, public and private schools, public and private enterprises and organizations, in respect of people with disabilities who are otherwise suitably qualified and able to undertake work, should in consideration of their needs provide appropriate work for such people. Public and private enterprises and organizations should be rewarded if more than three percent of their total number of employees are disabled."

Because there was a lack of enforcement and real rewards, after a number of years the law came to exist in name only, leaving no way to guarantee the employment rights of people with disabilities. The amended law of January 1990 thus stipulates compulsory "employment quotas": Every level of government organization, public school and public enterprise employing over 50 employees must employ not less than two percent of disabled employees."

If the stipulated proportion is not reached, organizations must, according to their basic wage and number of employees, make a contribution every month to a special county and city Welfare Fund for the Disabled.

Those who exceed the proportion laid down, apart from being subsidized for half the costs of each extra person, can also request allowances for the purchase and adaptation of any necessary equipment required.

The Committee for the Blind of Taiwan has begun computer classes for those with sight impairments. Students must wear protective glasses so their eyes won't deteriorate; only then can they study.

The Eden Foundation has begun computer programming training for those with limb disabilities.

To promote employment for the disabled, last year Taipei City sponsored a special "Hire the Handicapped Quota Promotion Volunteer Event"; singer Li Pei-ching came to join the festivities.