EP1814【吳淡如Ｘ陳節如Ｘ黃曉玲】為母則強，守護障礙兒近五十載
吳淡如人生實用商學院
Deep Dive
Why did Chen Jieru start advocating for children with intellectual disabilities?
Chen Jieru’s son suffered a brain injury from a fall at a young age, leading to multiple disabilities. When her son reached school age, she realized there was no system in place to ensure education for children with special needs. This prompted her to advocate for their rights, eventually founding organizations like the Taipei Parents Association for the Mentally Disabled and the Yucheng Social Welfare Foundation.
What challenges did Chen Jieru face in the early days of her advocacy?
In the early days, there was no established system for educating or caring for children with intellectual disabilities. Parents were left to fend for themselves, and there were no laws mandating education for special needs children. Chen Jieru had to organize parents, lobby the government, and even travel abroad to learn from other countries’ systems to create a framework for special education and care in Taiwan.
What is the significance of early intervention for children with disabilities?
Early intervention is crucial because it can prevent long-term challenges for both the child and their family. Without timely support, the child’s condition may worsen, leading to greater societal and familial burdens. Chen Jieru and her team introduced early intervention programs in Taiwan after observing their effectiveness in countries like Japan and the United States.
What was the shocking discovery about an unlicensed care facility in Tainan?
In the early 2000s, an unlicensed care facility in Tainan was found to be exploiting children with disabilities. The facility used the children to solicit donations from tourists, while providing inhumane living conditions. Children were malnourished, forced to eat from dirty containers, and lacked basic hygiene. The facility was eventually shut down after a joint investigation by media, prosecutors, and government agencies.
What is the Yucheng Social Welfare Foundation’s approach to individualized care?
The Yucheng Social Welfare Foundation emphasizes individualized care, recognizing that each child with disabilities has unique needs. Services range from early intervention and education to employment and lifelong care. The foundation assesses each child’s abilities and tailors support accordingly, whether through sheltered workshops, community-based services, or residential care.
How does the Yucheng Social Welfare Foundation address the financial challenges of providing care?
The foundation relies on a combination of government subsidies and public donations to fund its services. However, the costs of providing 24/7 care for children with severe disabilities are high, often requiring multiple staff members per child. The foundation actively fundraises to cover expenses like medical care, daily necessities, and specialized equipment.
What is the Lincou Community Housing project, and how does it support individuals with disabilities?
The Lincou Community Housing project is a government-supported initiative in New Taipei City that provides a range of services for individuals with disabilities. It includes daytime activity centers, residential units, and community-based care. The project aims to create a supportive environment where individuals can live independently while receiving the necessary care and supervision.
What is the significance of the new sheltered workshop being developed by Yucheng?
The new sheltered workshop is designed to provide eco-friendly and sustainable employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. It includes facilities like a car wash and a restaurant, both of which are being converted to reduce carbon emissions. The project aims to create a model for integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles into social welfare initiatives.
How does Yucheng Social Welfare Foundation help families of children with severe autism?
The foundation provides specialized care and support for children with severe autism, including behavioral therapy and structured living environments. This helps reduce aggressive behaviors and improve the quality of life for both the child and their family. Parents are also encouraged to participate in support groups to learn how to better care for their children.
What role does the Yucheng Social Welfare Foundation play in advocating for legal reforms?
The foundation has been instrumental in pushing for legislative changes to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. This includes amendments to the Special Education Act and the Rights Protection Act for Persons with Disabilities. The foundation also works to ensure that care facilities are properly regulated and that individuals with disabilities have access to education and employment opportunities.
- Lack of support systems for children with intellectual disabilities in the past
- Chen Jie-ru's personal experience in caring for her son with intellectual disabilities
- Establishment of the Taipei City Association for Parents of Children with Intellectual Disabilities, the ROC Association for Parents of Children with Intellectual Disabilities, and the Yu Cheng Social Welfare Foundation
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