Stamp made to honor disabled

First lady Peng Liyuan and Yoo Soon-taek unveil stamp as part of the UN's Agenda for Sustainable Development

Peng Liyuan, the wife of President Xi Jinping, and Yoo Soon-taek, the wife of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on Sunday unveiled at the United Nations in New York a custom-designed stamp honoring people with disabilities as part of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

Peng said that the stamp introduced by China and the UN during the 70-year anniversary of the world body shows the importance China and the UN attach to work being done to help persons with disabilities.

Peng noted that not only the Chinese government but all of Chinese society have achieved major progress in helping people with disabilities.

"It is the responsibility for society to boost the development of support for the well-being of people with disabilities, and to make every disabled to be cared and respected," she said.

The stamp was produced by the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the UN Postal Administration.

"The 2030 Agenda adopted two days ago vows to leave no one behind, including the world's 1 billion people with disabilities," said Ban Ki-moon. "As we embark on the crucial test of implementation, let us recognize that realizing our vision will require the inclusion of persons with disabilities - their aspirations, their concerns and, above all, their contributions."

Ban said that the issuing of the stamp highlights the importance of ensuring the full inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of society, and symbolizes the UN's enduring commitment to work with and for all social groups for a better future.

He expressed hope for stronger collaboration among governments, the UN, civil society, the private sector and people with disabilities and their organizations.

"I commend once again our organizers for hosting this event, and I hope our partnership will further advance inclusive and sustainable societies and development for all," said Ban.

China' State Council, or Cabinet, adopted a comprehensive mandate that provides guidance on improving the livelihood of people with disabilities, so that by 2020 they can enter into a moderately prosperous society with their Chinese peers, said Zhang Haidi, chairperson of the CDPF, adding that the document will play an important role in improving the life of 85 million Chinese with disabilities.

Zhang said this month that State Council adopted a plan to regularly subsidize the most severely disabled people and those at the poverty level.

She noted that college entrance examinations are more accessible for examinees with disabilities. Blind examinees have their exam papers in braille, and examinees without upper limbs can have an extra 30 to 40 minutes to finish their papers. This year, because of those measures, more than 3,000 young people with disabilities have been enrolled in universities, she said.

The chairwoman noted that CDPF established the China Research Center for Children with Autism, and that guide dogs are permitted into public facilities and vehicles.

"In addition, CDPF conducted a national in-house survey on basic data for people with disabilities. By the end of last year, the survey had already collected data from almost 30 million people with disabilities. I believe that the survey is a great contribution to the global development of the cause of people with disabilities," said Zhang.

renqi@chinadaily.com.cn