China to strengthen vocational training for disabled

BEIJING - China will strengthen vocational training for the disabled population and help them find jobs through a variety of rehabilitation programs, according to a joint notice issued Monday.

The notice, issued by the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) and two ministries, requires relevant government agencies to subsidize training programs and offer free information and employment services for the disabled.

Local administrations are urged to formulate mid- and long-term as well as annual training plans for the disabled, according to the notice.

The plans should be based on local economic development and cater to the needs of disabled people, it said.

Official statistics show that China has 85 million people with some form of disability.

A government action plan released in June stated that China will help 13 million disabled people receive rehabilitation through the implementation of key rehabilitation programs.

The National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2012-2015), published by the State Council Information Office, pledges to make efforts to help the disabled, improve relevant social security and services and protect their rights and interests.

The action plan pledges that the state will stabilize and expand employment for the disabled by providing employment services and vocational training for those who seek employment, with the goal of creating 800,000 new jobs for the disabled by 2015.

Over the past five years, China has created jobs for about 1.8 million disabled urbanites and ensured the livelihoods of over 6.1 million rural impoverished people with disabilities, CDPF vice chairman Wang Xinxian said in June.