CDPF holds press conference on 34th national day of assisting disabled persons in Beijing

On May 14, the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) held a press conference on the 34th national day of assisting disabled persons, which falls on May 19, in Beijing, presenting the science and technology research and its application in assisting persons with disabilities and showcasing innovative practices in this area. The theme for this year's event is "Harnessing technology for disability support and shared well-being."

Liu Lijun, deputy director of the planning and finance department of the CDPF, said that in recent years, China has intensified efforts in its research, development, and application of technologies to support persons with disabilities. Several protection and development plans for persons with disabilities have been formulated with clear requirements for technological progress in assisting persons with disabilities, he said.

The government work report delivered to the annual session of the National People's Congress in March said that China will strengthen research, development and the application of technologies that promote people's wellbeing in fields such as health, elderly care, and assistance for people with disabilities, according to Liu.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), the Ministry of Science and Technology has included research projects in rehabilitation, barrier-free environment construction, assistive device technologies, disability prevention, and sports for the disabled in the national key science and technology research and development plan, he said, adding that seven projects organized and implemented by the CDPF have attracted participation of 25 universities, 16 research institutes, and 24 enterprises in technological innovation related to the disabled.

Over the past five years, the CDPF has established over 300 research projects, aiming to advance the research and application of assistive technologies for the disabled, Liu noted, saying that several research outcomes have already been promoted and applied, improving the quality of life of disabled people and supporting the high-quality development of the cause of persons with disabilities in China.

The CDPF will increase efforts to enhance the top-level design of technological assistance for persons with disabilities, improve the innovation system, and advance the research, development, and application of technologies in this field, Liu said.

To effectively mark the 34th national day of assisting disabled persons, the State Council Working Committee on Disability, along with 14 other departments, issued a notice urging effective measures and efforts to organize a wide range of activities to raise public awareness on assisting persons with disabilities.

The notice calls on relevant departments nationwide to support the application scenarios of technological innovation achievements for persons with disabilities, carry out diverse practices to support and assist the disabled, and address their needs and difficulties.

At the press conference, several examples of technological innovation used for assisting persons with disabilities were displayed. These include AI exoskeleton robots for physical rehabilitation, brain function technologies to improve functional impairments, intelligent speech-to-text technology for hearing-impaired individuals, domestically produced cochlear implants, augmented reality technology for barrier-free information access for the hearing impaired, large-format braille and tactile graphic display technology, intelligent prosthetics for fine motor skills in upper limb disabilities, intelligent powered lower limb prosthetics for walking, and neuromodulation rehabilitation devices to address urinary difficulties of individuals with spinal cord injuries.

The disabled persons' federations at all levels will organize various activities during this year's event, such as a seminar on autism, live-streamed lectures on the rehabilitation for children with hearing impairments, an inauguration ceremony of the cultural museum for the visually impaired, the launch of a barrier-free theater, and the premiere of the barrier-free version of a hit film.

In addition, Zhejiang province will hold a rehabilitation assistive devices creative innovation competition and a future technology sports games for persons with disabilities in the Yangtze River Delta. Other provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, such as Beijing, Jilin, Gansu, Sichuan, and Xizang, will also organize activities to promote assistive technology for the disabled and unveil the latest advancements in this field.