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Games to reflect a nation that cares

By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-11 08:28

In 2008, China started the "Project of Construction of Special Education Schools" in middle and western China. The project is expected to invest 5.45 billion yuan to build or renovate 1,160 special education schools. Th ree hundred have already been completed.

To help them to live a better life after graduation, 3,043 employment service organizations have been established, with 4.96 million disabled persons receiving vocational education and training opportunities. In urban areas, 4.32 million have been employed while 17.37 million in rural areas have seen their income rise thanks to the employment service.

The nation also increased funding to construct special facilities for disabled people. The program has been launched in 100 cities and has seen the improvement of services and accessibility for disabled persons in hospitals, banks, bus stations, shopping areas and other public places.

As the host of Asian Para Games, Guangzhou has taken extra efforts to not only make the event a success, but also set a good example for other cities to follow.

However, due to the country's large number of the disabled, and to unbalanced development, Wang said more work still need to be done.

"We have 83 million disabled persons and 70 percent to 80 percent of them live in rural areas. Many of these people are still living diffi cult lives."

China Daily