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Regional Workshop on the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual
Disabilities and their Families in Asia and the Pacific |
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Materials : Speech :Speech at UNESCAP/CDPF Regional Workshop on Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual DisabilitiesMr. Zhang Bao-ling, Vice President Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Shanghai and China. My name is Zhang Baoling, I am a director of CDPF and Vice President of China Association of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and their Family members and Relatives (CAPID). I fell a honour to share information about the situation of persons with ID and our work on this field. 1. Policy frameworkAt present, there are 9.84 million persons with ID, accounting for about 11.86% of total population of persons with disabilities in China. Among them, 5.54 millions are with single ID, 4.3 million are with multiple disabilities. In terms of disability degrees, about 1/4 of them are with minor disability and 59% of them are with medium degree disability. The Chinese Government attaches importance to human rights protection and social security and welfare for persons with disabilities. Along with the economic growth, the state adopts a pro-disability social policy as well. A few days ago, President Hu Jingtao attended the Opening Ceremony of Special Olympics World Summer Games here in Shanghai and paid a visit to our Sunshine Homes for persons with ID. Since 1980s, the cause for persons with disabilities witnessed a rapid development. We have a comprehensive Law on Protection of Disabled Persons but also have many regulations concerning topics such as Education and Employment. Local Governments also issued and implemented many local decrees. Disabled persons and their representative organizations are also very active. China values the exchange and cooperation with other countries and international organizations. China played active role in advocating and promoting the process of drafting and adopting UN Convention and was one of the first countries singed the UN Disability Convention. In order to improve the living condition of persons with ID, all localities have taken positive actions and formulated policies for the well-being of persons with ID. During this Workshop, delegate from Shanghai city will introduce their good practices in running Sunshine Homes. 2. Our work at CDPF and the CAPIDCDPF is a DPO representing rights and interest of all types of disabilities in China. CDPF, in partnership with the Government, has played an important role in advancing the well-being of persons with IDs. For instance, in recent years, we conducted statistic surveys and improved rehabilitation and education for them. In July this year, CDPF organized a national conference on day care services for persons with ID. Through the development of Special Olympics, we helped persons with ID included into mainstream society, became more self confident and develop their potential and capability. Since 2000, we used schools, welfare factories and local communities as bases, conducted Special Olympics trainings regularly, substantially met the demands and needs of persons with IDs in participating sports and cultural life. So far, in Shanghai city only, we have established 1,046 Special Olympics centres. And now we have 626,000 SO athletes across China. We plan to increase this number to 1 million by year 2010. As for China Association of Persons with ID, it is an organization representing and severing some 9 million persons with ID and their families members and relatives. One of our major jobs is to promote the equal and full participation in social life for persons with ID, through mobilizing the society to respect, care and support persons with ID. Currently, we have established 2464 associations at all levels in China. We have parents, experts, professionals and disabled persons themselves active in our organizations. The Association conducted many activities every year, such Fine Arts Works Expo, Days to support Persons with IDs and so on. And our efforts was enjoyed very much by our persons with ID and their families. 3. Voice from our persons with IDDisabled persons are members of our society and they need care and support as well. As a family member and friend of persons with ID, I sincerely hope the Governments, all members of our communities including private sectors to give care and support to persons with ID in order to better their conditions, meet their needs and advance their development physically and mentally and most importantly, to enjoy life happily together with others. Colleagues from all different regions and countries have many good ideas and experience to share with each others. I look forward to the next three days in sharing and interactions with all of you so that we can learn from each other and do a better job for our future work. I also sincerely hope to strengthen exchange and cooperation with all of you and work together at international arena and promote the UN Convention for the rights of persons with ID. Dear friends, I trust, with our joint efforts, persons with ID will have a better and bright future and enjoy sunshine just like all members in our society. Thank you. |
