Blind test-taker pursuing college dreams

Along with millions of other hopefuls, one participant in China's national college entrance exam on Tuesday took part under special circumstances — but is pursuing his dreams, just like everyone else.

Yang Wenju from Shagou township in Xiji, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, took the exam in an individual testing room, set up for him in Xiji Middle School and used special test paper. These accommodations were made because he is legally blind.

The 21-year-old, born with weak eyesight, became blind at 10 and thus went to Ningxia Special Education School for his primary, middle and senior high studies.

"In the past 12 years, I have learned not only knowledge but also the spirit of self-improvement at Ningxia Special Education School," Yang said.

In April 2021, Yang took an entrance exam specifically for undergraduate institutions for people with disabilities in Changchun, Jilin province and was accepted. However, he did not yet accept his place there, since he wanted to attend medical school.

"I wanted to study acupuncture and massage, and my second choice was to become a special education teacher to convey what I have learned, my understanding of disability integration and my knowledge of society to students like me," he said.

Like Yang, 434 candidates with disabilities enrolled in this year's national college entrance examination, according to data from departments on disabled persons from Ningxia.