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Paralympic success masks tough life for disabled Chinese

Friday, 19th September 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (2)

China owned the Paralympic medal count even more than it did in the Olympics. Its 211 gold medals more than doubled the 102 for runner-up Great Britain. The host country claimed 89 golds, compared to 42 for Great Britain.

Despite China's strong showing, the country still has a long way to go to improve everyday life for disabled people. A recent China Daily article enumerates some of the challenges that handicapped people face in everyday life in Beijing. The problem of a lack of accessible buildings, including schools, and poor handicap access inside most of the capital's new subways, is compounded by a refusal among some able-bodied employers and service workers to cooperate in assisting the disabled.

According to the story, by Eric Roeder, "Drivers of buses with wheelchair lifts claim to not know how to operate the lifts, and the more honest drivers saying they do not want to make the effort."

He goes on to address employment barriers:

"The China Disabled Persons Federation, which has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities, notes that some companies deliberately break employment laws that require them to hire a percentage of disabled persons. These companies would rather pay fines than hire workers with disabilities."

Tags: Beijing, Paralympics

Comments

  • Xiao Zhu
    Friday, 19th September 2008
    I would argue that even disability access on the Beijing subway is not up to scratch.
  • Maggie
    Wednesday, 1st October 2008
    You can argue, but I don't know anyone who will argue against you. Handicap access is atrocious on the subway.

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