Exploring Indigenous Disability Experiences in Taiwan

Abstract

The inclusion of CRPD principles in Taiwan’s Disabilities Rights Act in 2007 highlighted the need for culturally sensitive disability services for Indigenous communities. However, there’s a gap in understanding how these communities perceive and address disability within their unique cultural contexts. Traditional approaches to disability in Taiwan’s Indigenous communities have evolved differently from mainstream society, influenced by varying degrees of colonial impact based on geographic location. To explore this evolution, the article presents three case studies: ethnographic records of Tao elders, writings by Amis author Lifok ‘Oteng, and the personal experiences of Paiwan blind poet Maljaljaves Mulaneng. These cases illuminate the complex relationship between disability experiences and historical developments in Taiwan’s Indigenous communities, aiming to offer insights into culturally appropriate services for Indigenous people with disabilities.