New services for disabled

China is targeting the establishment of universal aid and rehabilitation services for disabled children, aged 6 or younger, by 2025, according to a guideline released on July 10. Starting from Oct 1, a rehabilitation system will be put in place that covers all such children, and funds will be provided by local governments above county level, with subsidies from the central government, according to the guideline released by the State Council.

The goal is to meet demand for basic rehabilitation services for disabled children, especially those with impaired eyesight, hearing, speaking abilities, as well as those with autism, it said.

County-level governments can decide on the basic service items, including operations, assistance devices and rehabilitation. Guardians of disabled children can apply for assistance at disabled persons’ federations in the area of their household registration, or in the area where they have obtained a residential permit. They can also entitle other people, social organizations or agencies to file on their behalf.

Their requests will be verified and approved by county-level governments together with disabled persons’ federations at county levels. There are 1.67 million children age 6 or younger with disabilities, with about 7,000 rehabilitation institutions nationwide, according to the China Disabled Persons’ Federation.