CHINESE people with disabilities are being encouraged to host online radio shows to earn money and develop careers.

The China Disabled Persons’ Federation announced over the weekend that a channel had been launched on popular radio app The Himalayan featuring shows related to people with disabilities.

Cao Yan has signed up to be the first host. Cao, who is paralyzed, is already an author of published children’s book. She said her show will focus on psychological care for the disabled.

Since earlier this year, the federation has been targeting the country’s booming online streaming industry for its potential to raise the income and self-esteem of disabled people in China. In Beijing, a training series has been held for those who are interested.

“Through the training, we hope more people will join and have great careers hosting online shows,” said an official at the federation.

As of 2016, the federation has estimated that there are 80 million people with disabilities in China, while only 30 million have registered with the government.

According to the federation, over 5 million disabled people have shaken off poverty in the past five years. The country’s subsidy system for the disabled has achieved full coverage, benefiting 21 million disabled people.

By the end of last year, China had ensured the minimum living standard for more than 9 million disabled people, and brought over 26.1 million physically challenged urban and rural residents into the social endowment insurance system. The country has also offered nursery and care services for over 4 million disabled people in the past half decade.

By the end of last year, 9.4 million disabled people were employed, the CDPF noted.

Measures have been taken to guarantee access to education for the disabled. In 2017, 10,808 disabled students were enrolled at universities and 1,845 at special educational colleges. (Xinhua)