▲ Virtual reality glasses help rehabilitate those who suffered brain problems, by showing games and various scenarios that stimulate them.Photo Jessica Xanthomila
Jessica Xanthomila
Sent
La Jornada Newspaper
Monday, October 20, 2025, p. 8
Beijing. The social and labor integration of people with disabilities in China – around 6 percent of its population, which amounts to 1.4 billion inhabitants – is carried out between innovation, with the development of smart devices that allow them to have a life with fewer difficulties, and the promotion of public policies to guarantee their access to education and employment. In two years, for example, more than 1.65 million new jobs were generated in the country for this sector, according to official data.
Although for many of these people the most advanced technology is still not fully accessible due to its cost – in some cases it is more than 50 thousand yuan (around 129 thousand pesos) – in the Asian giant there are intelligent robot dogs to guide those who suffer from visual disabilities. These machines have sensors and cameras to detect obstacles and also serve as company and support in daily life.
For those who have hearing problems, there are glasses that project a transcription of what the interlocutor says onto the lenses and can translate messages into more than 100 languages in a matter of minutes, while for those with visual impairment there are machines that translate what they hear into the Braille system.
Bionic technologies for rehabilitation include intelligent walking assistants with cables and knee supports with high-precision sensors, as well as artificial intelligence algorithms that predict movement intention.
These innovations are displayed at the Beijing Disability Service Center in Fengtai District, which has more than 60 types of advanced domestic and international technological assistive products. Among these are also virtual reality glasses that help the rehabilitation of those who suffered brain problems, whether adults or children, by showing games and various scenarios that stimulate them to move, do memory and concentration exercises.
Since 2022, this space of the Beijing Federation of People with Disabilities has provided services to more than 200 thousand users, such as vocational, child and adult rehabilitation; job and artistic training, and pastry and craft projects, in addition to having a bookstore and a movie theater. The latter, with voice sound to describe what is presented on the screen for those who cannot see, and subtitles for those who cannot hear.
Technological development is accompanied by Xi Jinping’s government with various actions, such as promoting jobs for this sector. According to data from the federation corresponding to last June, workers with some disability total more than 9.01 million. Many of them are used on digital platforms, especially at this time when China is a power in terms of the electronic market, with the sale of various items through social networks.
Likewise, they work in light production centers, which are related to the assembly of small items (electronics, toys, crafts), packaging, classification of materials or labeling, community services and adapted specialized sectors.
Regarding the educational system, according to the aforementioned federation, 97 percent of children with disabilities are enrolled, 75,800 attend secondary education and 30,000 enter higher education annually. In this area, the Beijing government has subsidies for families with the most financial needs, since, for example, beneficiaries can access 12 years of free education, from primary to secondary school.
Despite this, the same organization – which is under the direction of the local government – has warned that the population with disabilities continues to be a vulnerable group, since at the end of 2023, 991 thousand were registered in the national poverty prevention system, representing 12 percent of the monitored cases.
