Empowering lives: China's support for people with disabilities

"I never thought I could pursue a career in audiobook narration until I discovered screen reader software," said Yang Shu, who is visually impaired. When she learned about screen readers during a training session organized by the Disabled Persons' Federation, she felt as if she had stumbled upon a treasure.

Now a full-time audiobook narrator, Yang Shu has recorded approximately 50 novels, including both main narration and character voiceovers. "Many visually impaired people share a similar experience with me," she said. "From a young age, we tend to be more sensitive to sounds and naturally develop a strong interest in them."

"While sighted people read visually, I rely on auditory reading," Yang explained. "I listen to the screen reader with one ear, then reinterpret what I hear in my own words, bringing the content to life with my emotions."

"I can support myself through my passion. To put it simply, I've turned my 'dream aspiration' into my 'daily bread.'"

To help more people with disabilities achieve quality employment, the Chinese government has introduced various measures aimed at enhancing their job skills and protecting their rights to work.

The General Office of the State Council released a three-year plan in 2022 to promote the employment of persons with disabilities. The plan targets unemployed persons with disabilities in urban and rural areas who are willing and able to work, emphasizing the government's role in promoting employment. 

It aims to create one million new jobs for persons with disabilities nationwide between 2022 and 2024. The plan also seeks to continuously improve their employment and entrepreneurship capabilities, safeguard their employment rights, and foster a supportive social environment that encourages understanding, care and backing for their employment and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Milestone achieved

A total of 544,000 people with disabilities, including 152,000 people in urban areas and 392,000 in rural areas, became employed in China in 2023, according to the China Disabled Persons' Federation.

In 2023, more than 9.06 million people with certified disabilities in China were engaged in different forms of employment, including employment with support from the government, self-employment, part-time employment, and public welfare jobs provided by the government.

Nearly half of these individuals were employed in the farming, breeding and processing sectors of the agricultural industry, according to the federation.

Authorities and organizations across China provided practical skills training to 259,000 people with disabilities living in difficulties in rural areas in 2023, the federation said.

In 2023, 11,393 people across China with visual impairments received training to become non-medical masseurs, and 9,970 individuals received training to become medical masseurs, according to the federation.

Moreover, China had supported approximately 1.18 million families with disabled members in renovating their homes to incorporate barrier-free facilities by the end of November this year, according to the China Disabled Persons' Federation.

The renovations outfitted the homes of people with disabilities with assistive devices and smart safety systems, enhancing mobility and ensuring safer bathrooms and kitchens.

From 2021 to 2023, China helped almost 1.24 million disabled children receive rehabilitation services. From January to October this year, 443,000 children had been assisted, nearly covering all those in need.

By the end of 2023, China had established 12,463 rehabilitation centers employing 360,000 staff members, significantly improving service quality through standardized training for rehabilitation professionals.

Tuesday is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities in China and around the world.

(With input from Xinhua)