The year of 2013 witnesses the 6th National Congress of China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), which provides key ideaistic and organizational guarantee for the innovative development of work on disability from a new starting point. Under the proper leadership of CPC and the State Council, with strong support from the Communist Party and government authorities, through hard work by disabled persons' federations at all levels, active participation by all sectors of the society, and striving constantly for self-improvement by persons with disabilities (PWDs), the work on disabilities in China achieves new progress.
Ⅰ. Rehabilitation
In 2013, through implementation of some key projects, 7.468 million disabled persons received rehabilitation services at different degrees. The Campaign of Building Model Community or County was staged to vigorously promote community-based rehabilitation (CBR). Work on disability prevention were launched, especially the screening of disabled children aged 0-6 years old. Guidance was strengthened to the capacity building of rehabilitation institutions. The National Rehabilitation Personnel Training Program was implemented to further the work of personnel training. Measures were taken to push the promulgation and implementation of policies enabling PWDs to be covered by medical rehabilitation. Basic knowledge of rehabilitation was publicized and popularized.
Community-based rehabilitation was carried out in 901 districts under the jurisdiction of cities and 2,014 counties with 214,000 CBR stations set up and 379,000 CBR coordinators designated.
Number of institutions providing rehabilitation services for patients with visual impairment reached 805. 746,000 cases of cataract sight-restoring surgeries were conducted, including 291,000 free ones for poor cataract patients. 129,000 low-vision patients received vision aids. 38,000 parents of children with low vision got training for more effective family-based rehabilitation. 120,000 blind persons received orientation mobility trainings.
The hearing and speech training institutions were regularized and the grassroots service network became more perfect. There were 32 provincial-level rehabilitation centers for deaf children and 1,014 grassroots hearing and speech training institutions nationwide. 32,000 deaf children are receiving hearing and speech training, and 20,000 of them are newly enrolled in the past year. Parent schools were further regulated and trained 39,000 parents of deaf children. 6,448 various kinds of professionals in the field of hearing and speech training were trained. A rescuing rehabilitation project was implemented to provide 4228 poor deaf children with free cochlear and 4,500 ones with free hearing aids. The rehabilitation project for the adult with hearing disabilities (hearing aids) was also carry out supported by the public welfare lottery fund. 10,000 poor adult with hearing disability get free hearing aids and 32,000 poor adult with hearing disability get technical services by various levels of rehabilitation institutions.
The number of institutions able to provide rehabilitation and training services to persons with physical disability reached 1,927, including 39 provincial level rehabilitation institutions and 1,888 city level ones'. Skilled training was provided for 35,000 professionals on physical rehabilitation. Rehabilitation training was carried out for 354,000 persons with physical disability nationwide. With the support of some relieving projects, 35,000 children with cerebral palsy received rehabilitation training, and 6721 poor children with physical disability received corrective surgeries.
418 cases of corrective surgeries were conducted on persons with leprosy-induced disabilities. Education campaigns were carried out to build a favorable social atmosphere for these patients to return to society.
The number of institutions providing rehabilitation and training services to persons with intellectual disability reached 1,471, including 35 provincial level rehabilitation institutions and 1,436 city level ones. 13,100 professionals on intellectual rehabilitation received rehabilitation skills training. Rehabilitation training was conducted for 160,000 persons with intellectual disability nationwide. With the support of some relieving projects, 34,000 children with intellectual disability as well as their parents were received rehabilitation training.
A "socialized, comprehensive and open" model was promoted for the prevention and rehabilitation of psychiatric diseases. The work of prevention and rehabilitation was carried out in 2,627 cities and counties, covering 5.84 million persons with severe mental illness. 79.1 % of the patients lived under guardianship, 66.2% of them showed signs of recovery, 51.4% participated in the society, and 0.17% caused incidents. 3,702 persons with mental illness were released from seclusion and 469,000 poor patients got medical assistance.
34 provincial-level autism rehabilitation institutions were set up and. 17,000 children with autism were provided with rehabilitation training.
The work of building a service system of assistive devices was strengthened to improve supply of assistive devices for PWDs. An accumulation of 1.283 million assistive devices, including 29,000 artificial limbs, 47,000 pieces of prosthetics and 125,000 were adapted and equipped for poor disabled persons at preferential rate or for free.
II. Education
In 2013, disabled persons' right to education was better guaranteed. The quality of disabled persons and their ability to equally participate in social life were improved.
The education project funded by dedicated lottery fund provided more than 10,000 person/times of financial support to disabled children from poor families in their preschool education. Fund was also raised through various channels to support 3,489 disabled children in their preschool education.
There were 194 special education classes at senior high schools nationwide, with an enrollment of 7,313 students. Among these schools, 125 were for the deaf with 5,704 enrolled students, 27 were for the blind with 1,609 enrolled students. There were 198 medium-level vocational education institutions (classes) with 11,350 enrolled students, 7,772 graduates, of whom 6,200 were with vocational certification. In 2013, 7,538 students with disabilities were accepted by mainstream higher education institutions, and 1,388 disabled students entered special higher education institutions.
By the end of 2013, there were 84,000 disabled children and youth at school age who did not have access to education, including 5,000 with visual impairment, 5,000 with hearing impairment, 5,000 with speech impairment, 26,000 with physical disability, 26,000 with intellectual disability, 3,000 with psychiatric diseases and 12,000 with multiple disabilities.
III. Employmen
In 2013, the work to promote employment of PWDs made new progress. 369,000 disabled persons in urban areas were newly employed, including 107,000 through concentrative placement, 87,000 through quota scheme, 15,000 through welfare job posts, 146,000 through individual business and other forms of employment, and 7,000 through supporting employment. 4.456 million disabled persons were in employment in the urban areas. 17.527 million rural PWDs had employment and 13.854 million of them took part in agricultural productive labor.
There were 5,357 special vocational training institutions nationwide, including 2,022 established by DPFs and 3,335 by social organizations. A total of 378,000 disabled persons in the urban areas received vocational training.
Massage business by the blind grew steadily with big increase of the number of massage institutions. In 2013, 20,111 health blind masseurs and 5,694 medical blind masseurs were trained. The number of healthcare massage institutions reached 14,704 and that of medical massage institutions amounted to 936. Through professional qualification evaluations, 551 and 1,655 medical blind masseurs passed secondary and elementary level qualification exams respectively.
IV Social Security
In 2013, the coverage of the new type of rural cooperative and urban social endowment insurance was further enlarged. 4.014 million or 65.1% of disabled persons in urban areas had joined in urban social endowment insurance, including 779,000 persons with severe disabilities under 60 years old, 731,000 of whom received governments' financial assistance. The percentage of government assistance or subsidy reached 93.8%. Also, 568,000 persons whose disabilities were not severe enjoyed the preferential treatment of all or part of the premium paid by governments. 1.62 million disabled persons are receiving old-age pension.
In 2013, 16.383 million or 71.2% of rural disabled persons were covered by the new type of rural social endowment insurance, including 3.14 million persons with severe disabilities under the age of 60. Among them, 3.029 million received governments' financial assistance. The percentage of government assistance or subsidy reached 96.5%. 1.752 million persons with disabilities received the full or partial financial assistance from the government. 6.281 million disabled persons are receiving old-age pension.
2.967 million urban workers with disabilities were covered by social endowment insurance. 5.473 million urban residents with disabilities were covered by basic medical insurance. 2.648 million urban disabled persons and 8.282 million rural disabled persons were covered by basic living insurance protection. The number of unban PWDs under centralized fostering and the number of full-guaranteed rural PWDs reached 122,000 and 685,000 respectively. After passing the assessment of conditions, 3.662 million urban PWDs and 0.92 million rural PWDs are receiving regular living allowances and care subsidies. Another 2.66 million urban and rural PWDs got other assistance or economic aid.
The fostering service for disabled persons made steady progress. The number of fostering service organizations for disabled persons amounted to 5,677, including 1,750 boarding service organizations, 2000 day-care organizations, and 1927 combined fostering service organizations. These organizations all together provided fostering service for 160000 PWDs. Another 784,000 persons with disabilities are receiving fostering services at home.
V. Poverty Alleviation
In 2013, the work of poverty alleviation made remarkable progress with the living and production conditions of poor disabled persons further improved. 2.387 million poor disabled persons were covered by poverty alleviation projects, including 1.206 million who actually got rid of poverty through these poverty alleviation projects. 856,000 persons/times of training of practical technology were provided for PWDs.
79,000 rural persons with disabilities were granted interest-subsidized loans under poverty alleviation through rehabilitation projects. 64,000 units and 405,000 individuals paired up with poor disabled persons to get them out of poverty. The number of poverty-alleviation bases increased to 6,201, employing 164,000 disabled persons, supporting and bringing along 246,000 disabled persons to join.
122,000 poor rural households with disabled persons had their houses renovated. 1.15 billion RMB Yuan were invested, benefiting 144,000 disabled persons.
Through a project "grassroots Party organizations assisting the disabled", 76,845 poor disabled persons in the rural areas got support. Another project called "Market program in ten thousand villages and one thousand townships" helped 6,925 disabled persons get employment, and 2059 village-level shops were set up by the disabled persons with the help of the project.
VI. Publicity and Cultural Activities
In 2013, some of the country's most influential TV programs such as "China Dream" and "Visiting the Grassroots" put forward a lot of reports relating to the work on disability. On the occasion of the 22nd National Day of Assisting Persons with Disabilities under the theme of "Assisting the poor rural PWDs", a series of in-depth poverty alleviation reports on "How to do poverty alleviation for rural PWDs" were aired. In order to promulgate the stories of some models of disabled persons, we organized some media to cover the stories of 11 outstanding grassroots workers in the field of disability. In this year, 40 news reports about people with disabilities were aired in CCTV's Evening News, and 88 news reports were aired by Morning News and News Live of CCTV. More than 80 editorials, reports and reviews were published on People's Daily. By the end of 2013, at the provincial level, there were 120 radio programs specially designed on disability issues, and 36 TV news programs with sign language. At the district/city level, there were 539 radio programs specially designed on disability issues, and 227 TV news programs with sign language.
The cultural life of disabled persons became more active and colorful. PWDs received wide social attention and extensively participated in social life. Focusing on implementing The guideline on further promotion on the culture civilization for PWDs, jointly formulated and issued by Publicity department of central committee of CPC and CDPF, 26 provinces (municipalities or autonomous regions) issued their own guideline on further promotion on culture civilization for PWDs, and 136 cities/districts made their own implementation guidelines. 32 cities/districts nationwide were named as pilot model cities (districts) for culture and sports building for PWDs, and 11 cities were appointed as pilot model cities (districts) for culture building for PWDs jointly with Macao SAR. The 8th National Art Gala Show of PWDs was successfully organized. More than 5000 performers and staff participated the competition in 4 categories, i.e. vocal music, instrumental music, dancing and opera. There were 348 performances in total, among which more than 20 performances were given by minorities. More than 100,000 PWDs indirectly involved in the event, which is the most in history. The film "With Love for the Whole Life" about PWDs won the Award of Excellence during the Montreal Film Festival. The jointly produced film "Wu Yunduo" won the Best Visual Effect Award and Best Director Award in the 10th U. N. Ozerov International Military Films Festival in Russia.
VII. Sports
In 2013, the work of sport for PWDs was focused on improving the ability of providing fitness service for PWDs and enhancing the sports level of disabled athletes. Through implementation of "Self-improvement Fitness Program", the level of athletics was raised continuously.
The event of 3rd Fitness Week of Disabled Persons was organized. 27 provinces (municipalities or autonomous regions) organized more than 3000 various types of sports or fitness activities such as training on fitness for PWDs, sports games at home, etc.. In the whole country, 524 national level sports and fitness directors were appointed. 27 provinces (municipalities or autonomous regions) names 90 new demonstration sites of Self-improvement Fitness for PWDs. The number of such demonstration sites reached 203. 35 sets of fitness devices were donated to western China and were managed by the demonstration sites. A series of promotion events were organized, including the country's 7th "Day of Special Olympics", Special Olympic Competition of football matches and a forum of family members. The number of the athletes for Special Olympics has reaches 1.159 million.
18 sports competitions of disabled persons were organized and participated by 2,200 persons, among whom many were young and promising. CDPF participated 27 international games or sports matches, including the 22nd World Deaf Olympics, the 10th Winter Special Olympics. The delegation participating the 22nd World Deaf Olympics won 12 gold medals, 5 silver medals and 8 bronze medals, ranking number 4 on the result panel. We have also organized 27 times of training for a total of 575 athletes. The establishment of human resources team and organizations of sports for PWDs were further strengthened. The number of registered athlete reached 6800, with 1188 qualified judges and 45 professionals on classification. The number of country level bases of sports for PWDs reached 31.
The sports activity of disabled persons was extensively carried out in localities. 254 times of fitness activities were organized for disabled persons at provinces, with a participation of 58,000 person/times. 596 sports activity demonstration sites of disabled persons were established, training 5352 coaches for fitness activity of disabled persons. 114 sports competitions of disabled persons were organized at provincial level, participated by 13,000 persons. The number of provincial sports training base of disabled persons amounted to 207. At the city level, 4,568 times of sports activities of disabled persons were organized and participated by 636,000 person/times. 1591 sports activity demonstration sites of disabled persons were established, training 12,000 coaches for fitness activity of disabled persons.
VIII. Rights Protection
Disabled persons' federations at all levels further strengthened their work team in rights protection for disabled persons. The laws and regulations systems relating to the work on disability became more perfect. The work of rights protection was carried out in an all round way.
In 2013, 4 local implementation method of the Law of P.R.C. on the Protection of Persons with Disabilities were revised. 5 regulations especially for disabled persons at the province level and 26 ones at the city level were formulated or revised. 30 regulations directly related with disabled persons at the province level and 76 ones at the city level were formulated or revised. People's congress at and above the county levels carried out inspections on enforcement of the Law of P.R.C. on the Protection of Persons with Disabilities for 799 times. The Political Consultative Conferences at all levels carried out inspections and studies for 746 times. 6,606 times of law publicity and education activities for 1.052 million participants and 1,670 education courses for legal professionals were organized for 960,000 participants.
By the end of 2013, 1,306 coordination organizations of legal assistance for disabled persons and 901 legal aid stations were set up, handling 7,905 cases of rights violation against disabled persons. 3,096 legal aid stations were set up, handling 23,000 cases of rights violation against disabled persons. The work of legal aids and services for disabled persons were greatly promoted.
Disabled persons took a more active part in political consulting process. In 2013, 1,743 pieces of bills and proposals were raised by congress deputies and members of political consultative conferences from disabled persons' federation systems. 1,464 pieces of bills and proposals were dealt with.
Legislation and standards of accessibility were further improved. 444 regulations and administrative decrees on accessibility were issued in the provinces, cities and counties. Systematic accessibility construction was carried out in 1419 cities and counties. 3,492 times of special inspections on accessibility were carried out. 36,000 persons/times received trainings on accessibility. Accessibility renovation was made for 136,000 poor families with disabled persons. 657,000 persons with disabilities received subsidy for petrol used by their motorized wheelchairs.
The disabled persons' organizations at all levels received and handled over 54,000 compliant letters and 323,000 visitor/times in the year. Among the complaint visits, there are 1,145 group visits and 18,000 by individuals.
IX. Disabled Persons' Organizations
In 2013, 30 provincial DPFs had disabled persons as president or vice presidents. 251 city-level federations had disabled president or vice presidents in their offices. 1,625 county-level federations had disabled staffs in their offices. 40,000 towns (streets) had disabled persons' federations, accounting for 98% of the total and recruiting 46,000 disability commissioners. 581,000 communities (villages) had disabled persons' associations, accounting for 92.6% of the total and recruiting 538,000 disability commissioners.
Workers of city, county and township level disabled persons federations amounted to 111,000 persons. Personnel training made new progress. 32,000 training courses were organized for 765,000 person/times.
Nationwide, there are 15,410 special associations of disabled persons under the provincial level. 97.6 % of cities and 96.3% of districts under the jurisdiction of cities as well as 90.4% of the counties had special associations.
X. Service facilities
The construction of services facilities for disabled persons was developed in an all-around way. By the end of 2013, 2094 complicated services facilities at all levels were completed and put into use, with a total construction area of 4.241 million square meters. The total investment is 11.96 billion RMB. 542 complicated rehabilitation service facilities at all levels were completed and put into use, with the construction area of 1.007 million square meters. The total investment is 3.27 billion RMB. 353 combined fostering services facilities were completed and put into use, with the construction area of 782,000 square meters. The total investment is 1.96 billion RMB.
XI. Informationization
In 2013, the official website of China Disabled Persons' Federation recorded 69 million visits, publishing more than 120,000 pieces of new information from different levels of DPFs with 16,000 update in contents. 33 disabled persons' federations at the provincial level, 277 at the city level and 1,307 at the county level had built and opened their own websites, the number is 77 more than that of 2012. 33 disabled persons' federations at the provincial level, 291 at the city level and 1,779 at the county level can report and review their statistics on line. For the first time in China, accessibility became one of the aspects for evaluating government websites. The accessibility of 117 websites of government ministries or provincial government was evaluated.
For the third year in succession, the China Disabled Persons' Service Network (CDPSN) gave an accessible live broadcast on the Spring Festival Gala of CCTV through text and video on the eve of the Spring Festival, which recorded over 280,000 visits. The on-line graphical identification service helped blind people to identify graphical verification code for 1.274 million person/times. The network had strengthened cooperation with professional public recruiting information network, providing the information of more than 4000 job posts specially designed for PWDs. The recruitment "Taobao customer service cloud" was organized for 7 times, with more than 1000 applications by disabled persons.
By the end of 2013, the national basic database of persons with disabilities collected the basic data of 40.2 million disabled persons. The national survey on the poverty alleviation of disabled persons in the rural areas of China collected data on the poverty alleviation needs of more than 15 million disabled persons. As an authoritative basic information resource, the database has achieved obvious social and economic effect.