The Legislative Yuan has passed the revision of the bill to further safeguard the interests of physically and mentally disabled citizens on Monday. Under the new act, the disabled ones will be able to travel for cheaper via public transportation, and will have parking privileges in public areas. In addition, their rights will be protected in certain workplace, including government divisions. Those who go against the regulations will face a hefty fine.

Yu Hsiu-chih often travels to Taiwan's offshore islands for work, and has to be carried on and off flights by ground crews because small planes aren't equipped with moving staircases.

Citing safety considerations, many airlines decline to seat her.

Under the Disabilities Rights Protection Act passed by the Legislative Yuan on Monday, airlines will have to implement non-discriminatory seating policies.

Violators will be subject to fines of up to 50,000 NT.

The amendment also eliminates public transportation discount restrictions, which means that the disabled will receive 50% discounts on public transportation fees around the island.

Government facilities and public and private schools will also have to retain 2% of all parking spots for the disabled.

Due to a prior constitutional interpretation that sighted individuals cannot be banned from working as masseuses, the amendment also provides for additional employment opportunities for the visually impaired.

According to the Alliance for Handicapped People, Taiwan is one of the world leaders in protecting the rights of the disabled, but lags behind in actual implementation.

In the future, government departments will not be able to reject disabled job applicants unless they are professionally unqualified.

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