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Access to services Experience of Handicap International in China

Presentation at Seminar on access to services in challenging environments

Amman, December 2009

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1. Background on disability in China

• 83 million people with disabilities, representing more than 6% of the total population (= population of Germany)

• 75% of them live in rural areas (= higher than average proportion)

Sources: Second China Sampling Survey on Disability, 2006

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1. Background on disability in China

• Although there is strong political will, clear regulations and a well organized national system (CDPF):

• Only 1/3 of people with disabilities needing rehabilitation services receive them

• Only 1/5 of people with disabilities needing assistive devices have access to such devices

• Similar figures for access to education and employment

Sources: Second China Sampling Survey on Disability, 2006

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• Presence in China since 1998• Promote the rights and socio-

economic inclusion of people with disabilities, especially in rural and poor areas

• Main areas of work : •Prevention•Rehabilitation • Inclusion

2. Presentation of Handicap International in China

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2. Presentation of Handicap International in China

• Current projects in Tibet, Sichuan and Guangxi

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• Past: historic involvement in direct implementation of physical rehabilitation centers for people with leprosy

• Now: – National statistics show a clear need – Lack of disability professionals (e.g. study of Renmin

University)– Focus of national and local authorities on quantity rather

than quality – Lack of financial access to mainstream and specialized

services in rural areas – Specific requests from partners who really see an added

value from HI in this field

3. Why did we decide to work on access to services

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• Action at both local (service providers) and national level (lobby)– Lobby at national level – Collaboration with national/provincial regulators– Credibility gained on direct services to beneficiaries

• Pilot project – continuous focus replication opportunities

• Work with existing regulations and systems do not reinvent the wheel

• Progressive approach: 1. Focus on technical know-how2. Focus on management 3. Focus on financial accessibility (e.g. conference on social

security and services)

4. How did your action contribute to improving access to services

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4. How did your action contribute to improving access to services

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• National and provincial Disabled Persons Federations (both regulator and service provider )

• National and provincial Rehabilitation Research Centers

• Departments of Education, Labor and Poverty Alleviation

• Universities and academic research institutes • Associations of professionals (e.g. CARM)

5. Which partners do you work with

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• Time and investment needed to make pilot projects official recognized and replicated

• Lack of qualified and motivated staffs in rural areas

• Training provided by foreign experts are not officially recognized

• Lack of professional standards of many specialized disability professions

6. Challenges

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Thank You ! 谢谢！