A group of newly launched business and nonprofit coalitions are aiming to advance disability inclusion in a new way.
- Chris McMillan
- Aug 24, 2024
- 2 min read
Stamford Society Innovation Review
5th March 2023
A group of newly launched business and nonprofit coalitions are aiming to advance disability inclusion in a new way.
Disability is part of being human. Almost everyone will temporarily or permanently experience disability at some point in their lives, and currently, an estimated 1.3 billion people, roughly 16 percent of the global population, are living with significant disability. The UN Disability and Development Report 2018 reveals that individuals with disabilities face fundamental challenges in nearly all aspects of life, including employment, health care, and education. These difficulties have intensified over the past four years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-related disasters, and economic hardships.
China is no exception to this global issue. With 85 million people with disabilities, or 6.5 percent of the population, China has enacted more than 60 laws and regulations aimed at safeguarding the rights of individuals with disabilities, encompassing those with visual, auditory, linguistic, physical, intellectual, psychological, and multiple disabilities. Over the past 30 years, it has made substantial improvements in the living conditions and social status of people with disabilities due to rapid economic growth, administrative and legislative actions, and the dedicated efforts of nonprofit organizations that champion the disability community.
Despite all the progress, people with disabilities in China still face enormous social and economic challenges, and are often perceived as sources of inconvenience and a burden on families and society. While organizations like the China Disabled Persons’ Federation aim to support the rights and interests of disabled individuals through assistance obtaining welfare subsidies and other services, only the most severely disabled individuals qualify for government financial aid. At the same time, over 20 percent of people with disabilities between the ages of 15-29 grapple with literacy, which significantly undermines their employability. Disability, poverty, and discrimination are part of a cycle where each reinforces the others.
Comments