Denmark and China join efforts to improve well-being for persons with disabilities

Corresponding to roughly 15 percent of the world population, over one billion people experience some form of disability. In China, over 85 million people are suffering from health conditions associated with impairments and disabilities. Assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids or apps that support communication and cognition, could open doors and allow them to participate in life on an equal footing with others. 

Sharing the same ambitions of ensuring the equality and rights for disabled persons, both Denmark and China have shown firm determination in improving access to these life-changing tools. 

On June 20th, 2022, in partnership with China Assistive Devices and Technology Center for Persons with Disabilities, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark in Beijing held a Sino-Danish seminar on policies and practices of assistive technology, where technical experts, policy makers, and industry insiders from both countries convened together to share experiences and explore new ideas. 

During the exchange, participants not only gained a better understanding of how each country improves affordability and accessibility of assistive devices through policies, regulations and infrastructure construction, but also learned some of the most innovative solutions in the area, such as AI, big data and 3D printing. 

“For many years, China and Denmark have cooperated closely to provide better choices and solutions that disabled people have access to. I believe that in the long run, this sort of collaboration will enable everyone to live up to their potential and contribute as productive member in the wider society,” said Danish Ambassador to China Thomas Østrup Møller.

In recent years, the Danish Embassy and China Disabled Persons’ Federation have been working together on projects that improve the wellbeing and living standard for persons with disabilities, including the Braille Bricks project for visually impaired children and a project on spinal cord injured individuals.