SZ enhances support for people with disabilities

Starting May 1, eligible individuals facing financial difficulties due to disabilities can apply for the city’s new living subsidy for the disabled in difficulty, according to the revised subsidy allocation approaches for people with disabilities.

Previously, only individuals with disabilities living on minimum subsistence allowances qualified for the subsidy.

Over the past five years, Shenzhen has made substantial investments in supporting disabled individuals, with a total expenditure of 623 million yuan (US$88.66 million). These funds were allocated toward two types of subsidies: the living subsidy for the disabled in difficulty and the subsidy for the care of severely disabled individuals. The initiatives have benefited some 134,000 people with disabilities, according to Shenzhen Special Zone Daily.

Jobseekers attend a special job fair designed to promote employment among people with disabilities. Courtesy of Shenzhen Disabled Persons Federation

In recent years, Shenzhen has completed a series of support projects, such as opening the service hotline 12385 exclusively for people with disabilities. The Shenzhen Disabled Persons Federation has provided public housing services for 653 households with disabled members. Notably, Shenzhen has gained recognition as the leading city in China in terms of safeguarding the rights and well-being of disabled individuals.

In another development, a special job fair designed to promote employment among people with disabilities was held at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Talent Innovation Park in Luohu District on Friday. The fair attracted over 500 people with disabilities, with approximately 525 among them having secured initial employment opportunities.

To further support disabled individuals in finding employment, the Shenzhen Disabled Persons Federation introduced 20 measures aimed at facilitating their integration into the workforce. In 2022, the employment rate of disabled people with household registration in Shenzhen reached 58.04%.

Additionally, efforts have been made to enhance the accessibility of public facilities in the city. Currently, about 80% of the city’s roads are equipped with tactile pavings, providing assistance and ease of travel for visually impaired people. Moreover, the federation has actively supported people with disabilities in renovating their homes to ensure their daily lives are more convenient.

May 21 is China’s national day for assisting disabled people, and a charity carnival was held in the city Sunday to let the public experience what a typical day is like when having disabilities.