Baking for Independence

The CAREUS Foundation’s Fengshan Community Work Center has earned the Gold Award (First Place) in the 2025 Universal Design Competition for Assistive Products for People with Disabilities and Older Adults, organized by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The award-winning assistive device, named “Seal It Well, No More Trouble”, features a uniquely designed box lid that helps workers accurately and efficiently complete sealing tasks. Selected from 132 competing entries, the design stood out for its innovation and practicality. With this tool, adults with intellectual disabilities can now complete box sealing independently—improving accuracy and reducing the sealing time from 40 seconds to just 20 seconds.

For many years, the CAREUS Foundation has been promoting its Community Work Center model, a service positioned between sheltered workshops and day-care institutions. It offers opportunities for individuals who are not yet ready for sheltered employment but do not wish to be placed solely in care facilities. The centers provide diverse work activities including baking, food service, horticulture, packaging, and gift-box assembly. They also integrate fitness, community living skills, and recreational programs to enhance daily living abilities, social adaptability, and self-advocacy.

Work activities are a core component of the service model and a meaningful source of motivation and accomplishment for participants. To support them in their work, the centers continuously refine workflows and even design custom assistive tools—ensuring each person can find tasks they are capable of mastering, thereby fostering confidence and achievement.

At the Fengshan center, participants are responsible for assembling and packing tea gift boxes. Among these tasks, sealing the outer cartons has been the most challenging. Due to limitations in visual perception, motor coordination, and fine-motor skills, many participants struggled to align the tape correctly, often sealing the boxes crookedly and feeling discouraged in the process. This inspired the idea of developing an assistive sealing device.

According to Hui-Ling Chi, Assistant Supervisor of the Community Work Center, the team went through numerous brainstorming sessions, prototypes, and adjustments before finally creating a solution that truly addressed the participants’ needs. Encouraged by the center director, the team submitted their design to the national competition—and were thrilled to be honored with the Gold Award among 132 entries. Beyond the excitement of winning, the team is most proud that the meaning and value behind this assistive tool have been recognized.