SHENZHEN employed a total of 12,000 individuals with disabilities last year, achieving the highest employment rate for persons with disabilities in Guangdong Province.

In addition, the city provided assistance to 14,370 children with disabilities and distributed subsidies totaling 491 million yuan (US$68.35 million). These figures reached a record high, as reported by the Shenzhen Economic Daily.

Shenzhen introduced an implementation plan last year to offer comprehensive support to people with autism. The range of services includes education, rehabilitation, employment, and elder care.

The city is also exploring the inclusion of rehabilitation therapy in medical insurance coverage and the development of community-based boarding and care services. There were 198 designated rehabilitation institutions in Shenzhen last year.

Shenzhen has enhanced mechanisms for rehabilitation and support for children with disabilities, broadening rehabilitation assistance to include children aged 0 to 7 who are suspected of having disabilities.

(Wang Jingli)