Taiwan’s Friendly Rural Villages

Striving towards inclusive rural areas for an aging population and people with disabilities

Kevin Ng
Kevin Ng
Jul 28, 2017 · 11 min read
Friendly Rural Village Initiative at Wei Wei Jia Persimmon Orchard in Hsinchu County

The Project

ince 2016, OurCityLove Social Enterprise (OCL) in collaboration with the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau and the Ministry of the Interior have worked together on a project called Friendly Rural Villages. The goal of this project is to create friendly, safe and accessible environments in rural areas by providing the necessary tools and knowledge to community leaders and local businesses.

A documentary, Friendly Rural Villages: Rotating Taiwan, was released last year to promote the project and demonstrate the importance of ensuring our environment is friendly and accessible for not only people with disabilities, but everyone, especially the elderly and families with small children as well. Note: The video is only available in Chinese.

Friendly Rural Villages: Rotating Taiwan Documentary

For the past 5 months, I have been working with OCL on various projects and had the opportunity to join them and other accessibility experts on one of their “Friendly Rural Villages” field trip in Hsinchu County. In this article, I will provide background information on the different attractions we had the chance to visit and discuss some of the key accessibility barriers that were identified.

The Process

OCL partners with prominent accessibility experts in the community to conduct an accessibility assessment of attractions and places of interest in rural villages selected by the government and share their experience and recommendations on how to improve the built environment.

During the on-site assessment, the accessibility experts examine the following accessibility criteria:

  1. ACCESSIBLE ROUTES: Safe and accessible route(s) leading to and inside the attraction, including clear width and slope gradients of routes and ramps.
  2. DOORS: Clear width of doors and threshold at entrances, including ability to operate doors independently.
  3. WASHROOMS: Provision of accessible washrooms, including suitable stall dimensions and accessible amenities and features.
  4. OTHER AMENITIES: Provision of seating areas and tables with suitable knee and toe clearances. Any other special amenities provided at the attraction for people with disabilities.

After identifying the barriers, they provide recommendations on how to improve the accessibility and friendliness of the attraction and place of interest. These recommendations are collected by OCL and reviewed by the government before being relayed to the owners of the attractions with some funding to help the latter with the suggested upgrades.

The Accessibility Experts

The experts at hand on that day included:

  • Mr. Yang from the Taichung Welfare Promotion Association for the Disabled was one of the accessibility experts that accompanied us on the tour to provide recommendations to the business owners on how to improve the accessibility of their facility and environment. He is also a government representative who advises on accessibility issues in Taiwan.
  • Mrs. Candy Cheng from the Taiwan Barrier-Free Travel Development Association was the other accessibility expert present that day. She is the president of the association, whose purpose is to help the government promote accessible tourism in Taiwan and encourage people with disabilities and the elder to be more active.

The Ride — experiencing the LUXGEN V7

The trip was catered by Hong Shuai Taxi Service, whose accessible vehicle fleet include the LUXGEN V7 Turbo Eco Hyper, a wheelchair accessible van launched in 2016 by LUXGEN, a Taiwanese automaker.

The vehicle was spacious and very comfortable. It can fit up to five (5) people and one (1) wheelchair with the possibility of different seating configuration, including a side by side option, which lets wheelchair user communicate easier with other passengers. One of its unique features is the raised roof which slides open, allowing wheelchair users to have a clear view of the road. A ramp, equipped with an electric assisted traction mechanism and operated by remote control, can be easily pulled out at the tailgate of the van for entry and exit for wheelchair users.

All inclusive taxi service in the LUXGEN V7 Turbo Echo Hyper, the new wheelchair accessible van by LUXGEN
Getting into the van using the ramp with electric traction mechanism.
Easy-to-fold ramp at the tailgate of the van.

The drivers were very friendly, diligent and provided excellent customer service during the trip. They receive training from the taxi company on how to serve customers with disabilities.

Overall, I was really impressed with the excellent quality of service provided by the taxi company, and the features and comfort level of the LUXGEN V7.

More information about the LUXGEN V7 here.

The Tour — Friendly Rural Villages (Hsinchu Edition)

People are increasingly looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the urban areas for a taste of the quiet rural lifestyle. Rural communities around Taiwan have undergone successful transformation and have become popular spots of ecotourism recently.

The itinerary for the Friendly Rural Villages in Hsinchu County for that day was as follows:

  1. Candle Garden > 2. Sin Seng Brown Sugar Leisure Park > 3. Wei Wei Jia Persimmon Orchard > 4. Shan Shui Outdoor Classroom for Soil and Water Conservation
Map with locations of the Friendly Rural Village Hsinchu Tour

Below are some background information and key accessibility information for each attraction visited.

1. Candle Garden

Note: The table above only provides an overview of some basic accessibility information reviewed at the time of the assessment. Presently, accommodations can be made if required until upgrades are completed.

The first stop of the tour was at the Candle Garden, a local attraction opened since 1991. Visitors can learn the art of making and sculpting candles. Before taking us on a tour of the attraction, there was a brief presentation from the owners on the story of the attraction and the services provided.

Learning about DIY candle making from the owners of the workshop.

2. Sing-Chen Brown Sugar Leisure Park

Note: The table above only provides an overview of some basic accessibility information reviewed at the time of the assessment. Presently, accommodations can be made if required until upgrades are completed.

Once an important sugar producing area, the community of Baoshan Township had to adjust to a declining sugar cane industry. Sing-Chen Brown Sugar Leisure Park provides different activities, including guided tour of a sugar cane processing factory DIY experiences, dining and camping in the surrounding ecological park, in order to rejuvenate the local industry and community.

Our tour started with a DIY experience on how to make brown sugar buns and a presentation on the history and origin of the park. Then we went on a stroll along the scenic hiking trails in the ecological park.

Crash course in kneading the perfect brown sugar buns
Pit stop at the cafe for some refreshments

3. Wei Wei Jia Persimmon Orchard

Note: The table above only provides an overview of some basic accessibility information reviewed at the time of the assessment. Presently, accommodations can be made if required until upgrades are completed.

Located in Xinpu Township, Wei Wei Jia Persimmon Orchard is a popular cultural attractions that produces Dried Persimmon using traditional Hakka methods. The persimmons are perched on bamboo structures to dry in the sun for about 7–9 days to keep the original nutrients and flavour. Every year between September and November, the orchard attracts large crowds that come just to see the colourful drying process.

The Dried Persimmon at Wei Wei Jia Persimmon Orchard getting a big thumbs up.

After a brief introduction of the orchard by one of the owners who was dressed in traditional Hakka clothing, we had the chance to taste the dried persimmon produced at the orchard and have a tour of the facilities.

Tasting the dried persimmons from the orchard

4. Shan Shui Outdoor Classroom for Soil and Water Conservation

Note: The table above only provides an overview of some basic accessibility information reviewed at the time of the assessment. Presently, accommodations can be made if required until upgrades are completed.

Shan Shui Outdoor Classroom for Soil and Water Conservation consists of various attractions, such as tea plantation, ecological pond, rainfall simulation plots, scenic hiking trails and tea rooms, restaurants and cafes. Upon arrival, the owners took us on a scenic tour of the ecological pond and butterfly district, which had educational signs in both English and Chinese along the trails.

Taking a stroll along Butterfly District

One of the other main attractions at this location is a traditional Hakka style house, which is over 140 years old and made of red mud bricks. The house and site were designed following Feng Shui principles.

Key Findings and Tips

In this part of the article, I will examine some of the key accessibility issues identified based on the experts and my personal observations.

A. Grating along Accessible Routes

Experts demonstrating accessibility issue with dimension and orientation of openings of gratings along the accessible route

One of the issues consistently identified by the experts during the tour of the park was the gratings along the accessible pedestrian routes. Mr. Yang explained that the dimension and orientation of the grating openings was an issue because the front wheel of wheelchairs and white canes may get caught in them, causing a potential safety hazard.

Tips: When installing grating along an accessible route, ensure the openings are no bigger than 13 mm and the elongated openings are positioned perpendicular to the direction of travel, as shown below. It is recommended however that grating be placed away from accessible routes if possible.

Grating openings dimension and orientation. (Source: City of Markham Accessibility Design Guidelines)

B. Ground and Floor Surfaces

Concrete blocks with holes along pedestrian routes.

Ground and floor surfaces along accessible routes are important factors to consider as well. Uneven and irregular surfaces, such as cobblestones, can make it difficult for wheelchair users to navigate along route and also cause potential tripping hazards. Surfaces should be firm, stable and slip-resistant. The photo above shows a pedestrian route constructed with concrete blocks with holes filled with soil and grass. This type of surface is uneven and requires ongoing monitoring in order to prevent safety and tripping hazards.

Tips: Joints between surfaces should be no more than 13 mm to ensure that the front wheels of wheelchairs or tip of white canes do not get caught in them. Ongoing monitoring and maintenance of ground and floor surfaces along accessible routes is recommended.

C. Steps and High Threshold at Doors

A single step can determine whether a space is accessible or not to wheelchair users. Throughout the tour, our experts have encountered multiple spaces that were not accessible due to a step or stair access only. Portable ramps were used as a temporary remedial solution where there is a change in level between spaces.

Temporary ramps used at steps or high threshold at doors

Tips: For short term solutions and depending on whether an upgrade is feasible, portable ramps can be used. However, they typically require additional assistance and therefore do not promote independent living.

Universal Design Consulting is a social enterprise in Taiwan that provides accessibility planning, design and construction. They also do research on the latest accessible equipment and devices in the market and provide professional advice on potential retrofit solutions. Check out their calculator tool which allows anyone to determine the right ramp product based on the height of the steps and staircase.

Side Note: StopGap Foundation is an organization in Toronto, Canada that builds ramp for single step storefronts to raise awareness about the barriers in the built environment.

D. Knee and Toe Clearances

Knee clearance is provided underneath workstation, however toe clearance is obstructed therefore limiting a front approach.

Tables and work surfaces can be difficult for wheelchair users to approach and use if the they are not designed with suitable knee and toe clearances. When knee and toe clearances are provided, wheelchair users are able to approach the table from the front and have increased reach as shown in the illustration below.

Tips: When determining the placement of picnic tables and tables / workstations intended to be used by wheelchair users, ensure there is an accessible route leading to the tables / workstations. Additionally, tables / workstations should be placed on a firm and stable ground surface.

Requirements for knee and toe clearances for table and work surfaces (Source: City of City of Ottawa Accessibility Design Standards)
Example of an accessible picnic table. (Source: Illustrated Technical Guide to the Accessibility Standard for the Design of Public Spaces by GAATES)

E. Accessible Washroom Provision

None of the attractions visited on that day had an accessible washroom, however, some of the washrooms could be accessed with assistance provided. There are so many requirements to be considered when determining the accessibility of washroom facilities and the following are some of the key issues identified during the tour.

(i) Entrance and Accessible Route: Some washroom facilities were not accessible due to steps and high threshold at entrances and along the way to the washrooms, as identified in the photos below.

Washrooms were not accessible due to steps at the entrance.

(ii) Floor Clearance inside Washroom: Toilet stalls were not designed to be accessible. Limited space is available inside the stall. The photo below shows one of the accessibility expert demonstrating the minimum width required to upgrade the stall to an accessible dimension.

No accessible toilet stall. Limited floor clearance inside stall for wheelchair users to manoeuver.

At another attraction, the washroom had suitable floor clearance inside the room, however, the toilet was mounted on an elevated platform making it not accessible to wheelchair users.

Wheelchair user can enter the washroom but toilet amenities is located on high platform which is not accessible.

(iii) Accessibility Amenities: Generally, since none of the washroom facilities identified at the attractions were accessible, no accessible amenities and features were provided.

Tips: Where feasible and if space is available, a separate single occupancy universal washroom should be constructed along an accessible route. Retrofitting multiple occupancy washrooms can be a challenge because of the space constraints (e.g., increasing the current dimension of toilet stall may reduce the circulation space and aisle width in the washroom). Accessible toilet stalls inside multiple occupancy washrooms should have a clear turning space of at least 1500 mm and suitable grab bars for support.

Example of an accessible stall with suitable interior turning and transfer space. (Source: City of Markham Accessibility Design Guidelines, 2017)

Final Thoughts

Very often, we see big cities and towns as more accessible because they have better and newer infrastructure, and we forget that there are people with disabilities and seniors living in rural areas as well. Small improvements can be made to make everyone’s lives better. It was also refreshing to see how receptive the owners of all the attractions were to the experts’ recommendations on potential improvements. I could sense their willingness to want to learn and make their space more accessible for everyone.

I definitely think that the Friendly Rural Village initiative is an amazing project, which not only helps raise awareness on accessibility issues in rural areas but also creates new opportunities.

Photos Credit: OurCityLove Social Enterprise

Towards an Inclusive World

What communities are doing to create a more accessible and inclusive environment

Kevin Ng

Written by

Kevin Ng

Inclusive Design Consultant + Urban Planner + Yogi

Towards an Inclusive World

What communities are doing to create a more accessible and inclusive environment

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