In response to the United Nations’ designation of December 3 as the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities,” the Penghu County Government commissioned the Eden Social Welfare Foundation to host the “Penghu County 2026 International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration Series—Joint Achievement Exhibition of Small-scale Sheltered Community Workshops and Community-based Day Care Services for Persons with Disabilities” on September 12 at the basketball court of Huxi Elementary School in Huxi Township. The event brought together nine communities’ small-scale sheltered community workshops and community-based day care services centers from across the county. Through achievement exhibitions, an awards ceremony, stage performances, and challenge games, community members were invited to learn about the abilities and value of persons with disabilities and to work together toward building a diverse and inclusive society.
Mr. Po-Ya Chou, Commissioner of the Social Affairs Department, Penghu County Government; Mr. Ting-An Hsu, Director General of Southern Taiwan District, Eden Foundation and other distinguished guests jointly made a CRPD pledge.
This event adopted “Eliminating Discrimination Through Understanding, Realizing Equality Through Support” as its annual advocacy theme, echoing the principles advocated by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)—including respect for inherent dignity, personal autonomy, equal participation, and accessibility. The event aimed to raise public awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities and foster a more inclusive and supportive living environment. On the day of the event, distinguished guests including Mr. Po-Ya Chou, Commissioner of the Social Affairs Department, Penghu County Government; Mr. Ting-An Hsu, Director General of Southern Taiwan District, Eden Foundation; Penghu County Councilors Ms. Chun-Chin Lu Huang and Ms. Shiu-Se Su Chen; Mr. Tien-Tse Hsin, Village Chief of Huxi Village; and Mr. Wu-Shih Hsin, Chairman of the Huxi Community Development Association, were in attendance. Together with service users, their families, and community residents, they witnessed the fruitful achievements of the various service centers.
Mr. Po-Ya Chou, Commissioner of the Social Affairs Department, Penghu County Government, visited Eden Foundation’s exhibit stall to learn about the services we are providing and view the results of our community workshop.
The event kicked off with a joint performance by seniors from the Huxi Community’s “Thousand-year-old Bakery” and service users from Eden Foundation’s Promised Land Community Workshop, who presented a welcome musical number and a “Bread Dance” performance. Amid the vibrant rural music and dance, they showcased the fruits of intergenerational harmony and community collaboration, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience. This was followed by an awards ceremony to publicly recognize service users who had actively participated in programs and diligently engaged in learning. This moment of honor boosted their self-confidence and sense of accomplishment, while also allowing the general public to witness the potential and dedication of every person with disabilities.
Seniors from the Huxi Community’s “Thousand-year-old Bakery” and service users from Eden Foundation’s “Promised Land” community workshop, who presented a welcome musical number and a “Bread Dance” performance.
The event also featured an exhibition of carefully curated works from nine service centers, covering areas such as handmade crafts, vocational skills training, daily living skills, and community participation, showcasing the diverse learning and growth of the service users within the support services. In addition, each service center designed a stamp-collecting challenge that combined fun with educational value. Through interactive experiences, the public gained insight into the content and unique features of Penghu County’s community workshops and community-based day care services, bridging the gap between people and fostering mutual understanding and acceptance. The event also featured a joint Vitality Health Exercise session for community members and service users. Through these healthy recreational activities, the event fostered exchange and interaction, embodying the spirit of “inclusive participation,” and the atmosphere on site was warm and lively.
Eden Foundation’s Penghu Promised Land Small-scale Sheltered Community Workshop Achievement Exhibition.
Mr. Ting-An Hsu, Director General of Southern Taiwan District, Eden Foundation, indicated that small-scale sheltered community workshops are vital services supporting persons with disabilities in community living. Based on the individual abilities and needs of service users, each center provides diverse support—including occupational performance activities, life skills training, and social participation—that not only assists persons with disabilities realize their potential and improve their quality of life but also alleviates the burden on family caregivers, serving as a crucial source of support for both persons with disabilities and their families. It is hoped that through this joint exhibition, the general public will more recognize the abilities and strengths of persons with disabilities and understand that disability is not a personal limitation but rather a part of society’s diversity. This will help us work together to build a friendly Penghu that respects differences, ensures equal opportunities, and promotes diversity and inclusion. For more details, please call: +886-6-993-3836.
