Zhang Haidi currently serves as the Chairwoman of the China Disabled Persons'  Federation. She herself is disabled, paralyzed from the waist down since childhood. She became a household name in 1983, when the Chinese government called on society to view her as a role model for her persistence and perseverance. Known as the Helen Keller of China, Zhang was unable to attend school as a result of social prejudice against the disabled -- but her self-taught way of learning saw her educated to the university level. Our reporter Meng Qingsheng sat down with Zhang for an exclusive interview.

ZHANG HAIDI, CHAIRWOMAN CHINA DISABLED PERSONS' FEDERATION  I have been working at the China Disabled Persons' Federation for nine years, and next March will be the 30th anniversary of the federation's establishment. Over the past three decades, we have made enormous progress in terms of rehabilitation, education, employment, poverty relief, culture, as well as sports.

When I was a child, I had no idea about rehabilitation. But now, rehabilitation centers are everywhere in China, covering all provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. Some of them are equipped with top-level facilities. Many of the disabled, especially children, have received timely treatment. Meanwhile, most deaf children are equipped with hearing aids, while some of them have cochlear implants. All of this prepares them to better integrate into society.

We have also been dedicated to promoting cultural and sports development for the disabled. This can be seen from the fabulous achievements made by Chinese disabled athletes, who have ranked top of the medal tally four times regarding the total number of medals and gold medals. I think the results exhibit their hard work as well as improved training facilities in China.

These achievements wouldn't be possible without the care given by the Communist Party of China, the government, as well as society as a whole. There's an improved atmosphere in society with people keen to help the disabled, and encourage them to have confidence, hope and strength.

MENG QINGSHENG "Can you share with us some of the measures taken so far to serve persons with disabilities?"

 ZHANG HAIDI, CHAIRWOMAN CHINA DISABLED PERSONS' FEDERATION "We are now pushing for the establishment of a rehabilitation university in China. We are also committed to training more talents, and providing better services for people with disabilities. As the next step, we will work to promote cultural and educational development, and give the disabled more job opportunities. In fact, we have so many tasks to fulfill, but the China Disabled Persons' Federation can not do it alone, we need a joint effort from the whole society. We have a key objective to achieve, that is, by 2020 when China fulfills the target of building a moderately well-off society in all aspects, none of our disabled brothers and sisters would be left behind, and each of them can enjoy the best of life."

MENG QINGSHENG "You have been serving as the president of China Disabled Persons' Federation since November, 2008. How do you find the job?"

 ZHANG HAIDI, CHAIRWOMAN CHINA DISABLED PERSONS' FEDERATION "I like my job very much. I will try my best to serve my disabled brothers and sisters, because I know them well, and understand their suffering. I would like to help them, especially disabled children in difficulty. As a woman, I am very much concerned with the survival and development of disabled women and girls. They should be better involved socially, and enjoy improved economic, political, and cultural status. We are now working on achieving that. And that's what we are supposed to fulfill."