Deng Pufang on China's Handicapped People

It is still a long way to go for China to achieve a simultaneous development of the well-being of the disabled people and the whole society, said Tuesday Deng Pufang, chairman of the China Disabled Persons Federation.

Deng made the remarks at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office regarding the forthcoming tour by the China Disabled People's Performing Arts Troupes from September 6-27.

The troupe headed by Deng will stage a large music dance performance titled "My Dream" in the United States.

Talking about the handicapped people in China, Deng said the disabled persons need to readjust themselves to make development and success in the market competition.

Meanwhile, he urged the society to help the handicapped group to get over difficulties as their living standards is lower than the country's average.

China has 60 million disabled persons, 5 percent of its total population and 18 percent of Chinese families have handicapped members.

With the assistance of the government, over 6 million disabled people have recovered at a certain degree. In 1999, 76 percent of handicapped children studied in school, compared with less than 6 percent in 1987.

More than 2.5 million of the disabled were taught professional skills and over 1.5 million of them have been employed by units in accordance to law.

Furthermore, over 1 million handicapped people opened their own businesses with the help of the government. In 1999, 80 percent of disabled people were employed, compared with 49 percent in 1987.

The government has allocated special funds to assist the handicapped persons who are living under the poverty line. So far, more than 9 million poor disabled people in rural areas have bidden farewell to poverty through labor.

Over 3,000 cultural facilities have been opened for the handicapped in particular, according to official figures.

To prevent mentally retardedness, over 90 million Chinese women and children living in iodine-insufficient areas have taken iodic pills.



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