Taipei, Nov 8: A group of protesters with disabilities urged Taiwan's presidential candidates Tuesday to draft better health and welfare policies for the country's disabled population. The protesters, about a dozen of them in wheelchairs, said their needs should be recognized and addressed by politicians, including the country's president.

They gathered at Taipei Main Station, holding placards that read "If the president were disabled." They also wore masks that depicted the three candidates in next January's presidential elections, President Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang, Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ying-wen, and People First Party Chairman James Soong. "If the president were disabled, he or she would look at the world differently and make policies that better cater to our needs," said Vincent Huang, one of the protesters. Employment regulations, welfare subsidies and early retirement for the disabled are just some of the issues that need to be revisited, he said. Teng Lan-chih, the mother of a disabled child, said that creating a barrier free environment should be the top priority in the candidates' platforms. "Most McDonald's, for example, are not equipped with toilets for  disabled people, which makes it difficult for my daughter whenever we eat there," she said. Moreover, because there are no elevators, Teng said, someone usually has to carry her daughter to the second floor very carefully and not let her fall.

Teng and a group of disabled people will take to the streets this Sunday in a much bigger protest, marching from Taipei Main Station to the Presidential Office.

Source: http://www.taiwannews.com.tw