'Barrier-free' environment for the disabled to be created over 5 years

Shanghai will step up the construction of a barrier-free environment, improve schooling and create more job opportunities for the disabled over the next five years, Shanghai Disabled Persons' Federation said on Tuesday.

The target is to construct an equal social security system and public service system for the disabled, according to the federation.

In the next five years, senior care and medical treatment insurance standards for the disabled with financial difficulties will be lifted, and the living subsidy system for disabled people with financial difficulties as well as the nursing subsidy system for severely disabled people will be improved, said Wang Aifen, director general of the executive council of the federation.

The special education service system involving family education, community support and medical workers coordination will be improved. On top of that, support and safeguarding measures for disabled students studying at common schools, and schools' service capabilities for disabled students will both be strengthened.

Vocational education at or above senior high school level for the disabled will be further developed in the next five years, allowing disabled students who have received compulsory education to go on to enter proper vocational schooling.

Majors suiting the disabled will be developed, and life-long education facilities will be improved, according to the federation.

"The education of the disabled is a top priority," Wang said.

More job opportunities for the disabled will be created through referential policies. Specific job fairs will be organized, and training helping them improve their vocational skills will be offered. The disabled will also be supported to start up their own businesses.

Intelligent and eco-friendly assistant devices for the disabled will be developed, and the construction of rehabilitation agencies will be facilitated.

A barrier-free environment will be built up in the city with improved regulations and design standards on the construction of facilities with proper access for the disabled. 

At public institutions and public venues the disabled frequent, barrier-free services should be provided, and patrols will be beefed up to strengthen the management and maintenance of such facilities.

In addition, the placement and management of barrier-free parking spaces will also be improved.

The disabled will be encouraged to participate in various cultural and art events, and more fitness venues will be created for them.

Over the past five years, the employment rate of disabled university graduates reached over 95 percent in Shanghai, and about 127,000 disabled people participated in vocational skill training to improve their job capabilities. The registered unemployment rate of the disabled was 2.77 percent, a record low.

The city has 18 special vocational education spots, and barrier-free government websites, public service agencies, public transportation and a digital library were built up over the past five years, according to the federation.