Taipei, Dec. 21 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Sunday that promotion of the rights of the disabled is one of the government's goals.
Chen said that the government is striving to establish a "fair and just" welfare state and that it will adopt a "pragmatic and creative" approach to promote the welfare and services for the disabled.
He noted that as of the end of September, around 810,000 people in Taiwan are registered as disabled, or around 3.73 percent of the population. This, he said, highlights the fact that their basic needs should be addressed and their rights better protected.
He noted that the government has appropriated a budget of NT$24.99 billion (US$73.5 million) this year to take care of the welfare of the disabled.
In addition, he said that in order to better provide for the disabled in low and middle-income families, the monthly subsidies for them will be raised by NT$1,000 to between NT$3,000 and NT$7,000 starting Jan. 1.
Chen said that to promote "equal opportunities, full participation and independent living in happiness and dignity" for the disabled is the government's goal, but he also pointed out that the government's resources are limited and he appealed for the assistance of the private sector to provide better care for the disabled.
The president made the remarks when he participated an activity for the disabled in front of the Presidential Office.