Q: Disabled people are a disadvantaged group in society.
Are the handicapped in China discriminated against by society? What
measures has the government taken to safeguard their legitimate
rights and help them take part in social activities as
equals?
A: In May 2005, during the Fortune Global Forum in Beijing, the
audience was charmed by the dance "Thousand-Handed Guanyin"
performed by a dozen deaf and mute girls from the China Disabled
People's Performing Art Troupe. This dance is China's only program
that has been presented in two magnificent halls of art, in the
United States and Italy. This somewhat reflects the Chinese
disabled persons' living status quo.
China is a developing country with the largest population of
disabled people. With 60 million in number, they make up 5 percent
of the country's total population. The Chinese Government attaches
great importance to work related to persons with disabilities. In
December 1990, such laws and regulations as the Law on the
Protection of Disabled Persons, Regulations on the Education of
Persons With Disabilities, and the Regulations on Labor and
Employment of Persons With Disabilities were formulated and
promulgated. By implementing national programs, China has brought
into full play the role of various social forces to provide more
equal opportunities for the disabled persons, so they can join
social activities and share social achievements equally with their
fellow citizens.
China's compulsory education system has taken into consideration
the education of disabled children. At present, there are 1,665
special education schools for children with mental and physical
deficiencies and in regular schools there are 3,154 special
education classes for disabled children. As a result, the
enrollment of disabled children continues to rise. What's more, in
2004, 4,112 disabled students entered institutions of higher
learning for advanced studies.
The employment of persons with disabilities is also ensured.
According to statistics, a total of 1.09 million disabled people
now work in urban entities specially set up for them and a variety
of social departments have accepted 1.24 million in accordance with
certain proportions. Another 1.7 million work on their own account
or find employment in entities organized by themselves of their own
accord. In rural areas, 16.24 million handicapped people are
engaged in crop farming, aquaculture and cottage industries, with
an employment rate of 80 percent.
Moreover, China has continued to improve the social
rehabilitation service system, to help the disabled people improve
their health. In 2004, more than 3.3 million disabled people
overcame their disabilities to varying degrees.
In terms of social security, a large number of persons with
disabilities have benefited from the minimum living standard
program. In some places, persons with different degrees of
disabilities receive different kinds of aid. Those with serious
physical or mental disabilities and those families with more than
one handicapped member are given special assistance. Consequently,
they can enjoy better social security services. In some urban
areas, impoverished disabled people who are self-employed are
entitled to subsidies for participating in basic old-age insurance
schemes.
China's handicapped people are now enjoying an increasingly good
mental and physical culture, as cultural institutions, libraries
and gyms are providing more and more services for them. The China
Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe presented excellent
programs to audiences in seven countries, including Switzerland and
Turkey, which shows the world the artistic talents and strong will
of Chinese disabled people. In the 12th Paralympics in Athens, the
Chinese delegation ranked first in terms of both gold medals and
overall medals.
China has endeavored to develop a good social environment in
which the disabled people can receive help and care. In 1991, the
third Sunday of May was designated as the National
Help-the-Disabled Day, and on each year's occasion ever since,
various activities dedicated to helping the disabled would be
staged throughout the country. In large and medium-sized cities,
and in major streets as well as shopping centers, hospitals,
hotels, cinemas, museums, airports and train stations, a variety of
wheelchair ramps, special ramps for the blind, handrails, and
acoustic signal devices were set up. Many TV stations broadcast
news items in sign language and more and more TV programs and
movies have begun to use subtitles. All of these things have made
it easier for the disabled to communicate with others, take part in
social activities and enjoy public services. People from all walks
of life are beginning to understand, respect, help and care for the
disabled.
In order to commend China for its efforts and achievements in
promoting the "equality and participation" of the disabled, the
United Nations and relevant organizations have awarded the China
Disabled Persons' Federation and its leader the UN Peace Messenger
Award and an award for outstanding achievement, proof of the
international community's affirmation of China's efforts in
promoting and protecting the human rights of the disabled.
Deaf dancers of the China Disabled
People's Arts Troupe give a performance in Seoul, South
Korea.
