China’s Efforts to Safeguard Cultural Rights for the Visually Impaired: Insights from the “Cinema of Light” Public Welfare Initiative (Part 3)
Chapter 3 - Experiences and Insights from China’s Efforts to Protect the Cultural Rights of the Visually Impaired
In today’s piece, we are bringing you Chapter 3, the final chapter of our report, “China’s Efforts to Safeguard Cultural Rights for the Visually Impaired: Insights from the “Cinema of Light” Public Welfare Initiative.” We would love to answer any questions you might have so make sure to drop a like, comment, and subscribe for more!
China’s initiatives to protect the cultural rights of the visually impaired fully reflect the nation’s adherence to a people-centered approach, its active fulfillment of international human rights treaty obligations, and its commitment to the principle of “equality, participation, and sharing” in the development of disability services. Through these efforts, China has continuously enhanced its protections for the visually impaired, offering valuable insights and inspiration to other countries.

(1) Emphasizing the Leading Role of the State
Respecting and safeguarding the dignity and rights of people with disabilities, enabling them to fully participate in society on equal footing and with equal opportunity, and ensuring they share in both material and cultural-ethical achievements reflect a nation’s sense of responsibility and commitment.
As a signatory of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), China has fulfilled its obligations under the Convention. In formulating laws, regulations, and policies related to people with disabilities—and in promoting and protecting their rights—China adheres to the spirit of the Convention. Practical, robust measures have been implemented, including “universal design” products, environments, programs, and services, along with “reasonable accommodations” and specialized assistive devices and support services. These initiatives address the aspirations and cultural needs of people with disabilities, supporting high-quality development in disability services.
China has focused on strengthening a legal framework centered around individuals with disabilities, establishing a comprehensive system led by the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Disabled Persons. This system is further supported by key legislation, including the Law on the Construction of Barrier-Free Environments, Regulations on Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation, Regulations on Disability Education, and Regulations on Employment for People with Disabilities, creating a solid foundation for the protection of disability rights.
China actively integrates disability affairs into its overall national economic and social development plans as well as its National Human Rights Action Plan. Multiple departments have jointly formulated the 14th Five-Year Plan for Enhancing Cultural Services for Persons with Disabilities. This plan supports eligible public libraries at the provincial, municipal, and county levels in establishing reading rooms or areas for the visually impaired, increasing resources such as Braille books and audiovisual materials, and equipping these facilities with Braille books and related reading devices. The initiative aims to provide visually impaired individuals with Braille books, audiobooks, large-print books, and accessible versions of movies and TV shows, ensuring comprehensive reading services for this community. Support has also been allocated to construct reading rooms for the visually impaired in 50 city-level and 200 county-level public libraries nationwide. Ongoing initiatives include the Visually Impaired Publications Project and the Digital Reading Promotion Project for the Visually Impaired, with a focus on publishing 50 disability-related works or works by disabled authors. Efforts are also being made to promote the translation and international publication of outstanding works by disabled writers. Additionally, the scheme encourages the production and broadcast of disability-themed films, documentaries, public service ads, and online audiovisual programs. It promotes accessible film services in cinemas and cable television networks alongside the production and streaming of accessible online films. The National Film Fund has provided financial support for the “Cinema of Light” project, playing a guiding role in its development.
(2) Encouraging Civil Society Participation
Disability services represent a vast and complex undertaking, and the state actively encourages enterprises, social organizations, and individuals to contribute donations and services for people with disabilities.
The protection of cultural rights for the visually impaired requires extensive involvement from civil society. Such involvement not only complements areas that government resources may not reach but also promotes a deeper understanding and respect for people with disabilities throughout society, reducing prejudice and discrimination. This broad support helps visually impaired individuals integrate more fully into society, ensuring equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. Through sustained efforts, China has built a strong social foundation for human rights protection for the visually impaired, with diverse social organizations, market players, and volunteers actively supporting initiatives that professionalize, normalize, and sustain these protections. The Ping An Public Welfare Foundation has contributed 1 million yuan annually for three consecutive years to support the “Cinema of Light,” serving as a prime example of grassroots participation in disability initiatives in China.
(3) Tailoring Approaches to National Conditions
China’ s disability services are rooted in the nation’s historical and cultural traditions as well as its social and economic conditions. At the same time, China draws on international best practices, successfully creating a disability rights protection model suited to its unique context. Alongside the rights to rehabilitation, employment, and education, China is committed to advancing the full spectrum of disability rights, making the protection of these rights an integral part of a fair, inclusive, and sustainable development strategy that benefits every individual.
Given the unique needs of the visually impaired community, society has placed increasing importance on transforming their legal and cultural rights into tangible cultural benefits. By the end of 2023, China had established 24 provincial and 184 city-level radio programs dedicated to disability topics. Additionally, 1,541 public library reading rooms nationwide provide access to Braille and Braille audiobooks, and art troupes have been formed to serve individuals with disabilities. Through initiatives such as the National Disabled Art Festival and the “Five Ones” program, which brings cultural activities into the homes of individuals with disabilities, visually impaired individuals are included in the nation’s cultural and ethical development efforts.
(4) Empowering Through Technology
Technology has reshaped daily life and profoundly transformed the prospects of people with disabilities. With ongoing breakthroughs in information technology, artificial intelligence, and life sciences, technological advancements are bringing renewed hope to individuals with disabilities. The 14th Five-Year Plan for Disability Protection and Development sets specific goals for leveraging technology to support people with disabilities. The 2024 State Council Government Work Report emphasizes the importance of advancing technological research and applications for health, elderly care, and disability support. The 2023 Overview of Disability Development and Social Progress in China, published by the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, reveals a growing number of high-tech enterprises dedicated to disability support. These companies are maximizing the benefits of cutting-edge technologies to enhance the well-being of people with disabilities, providing them with greater independence, convenience, and equal opportunities for social participation.
To enhance the cultural and spiritual life of the visually impaired, haptic feedback accessibility technology customizes the vibration duration, frequency, and intensity of mobile devices like phones and tablets to convey distinct information to visually impaired users. Tencent Video, for instance, has launched an Accessible Theater section that automatically recognizes users entering through “voice screen readers,” placing the theater entrance prominently on their homepage. Additionally, a new range of games designed for visually impaired players uses AI to process player information and provide real-time feedback, meeting operational needs while creating a platform for community interaction. This “light of technology” serves not only as the eyes of visually impaired individuals but also illuminates their inner world, offering them the same opportunities as others to participate in society and experience the beauty of the world.
(5) Strengthening the Sense of Agency
In advancing services for people with disabilities, China consistently emphasizes respecting their wishes, prioritizing their participation, and inspiring their enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity. The aim is to foster a sense of self-respect, confidence, resilience, and independence, encouraging a shift from viewing people with disabilities as passive recipients of aid to recognizing them as rights holders and active contributors to economic and social development. Dong Lina, China’s first visually impaired broadcasting master’s degree graduate, has transformed her life through her efforts, using her voice to convey the beauty of the world to other visually impaired individuals. Chen Guangjiong, a visually impaired author, focuses his work on the lives, work, and emotions of people with disabilities, portraying the richness of visually impaired experiences. Entrepreneur Cao Jun, who is visually impaired, has long been committed to developing assistive software for blind people, helping them better understand and integrate into society.
“I cannot see the world, but I hope the world sees me,” remarked a visually impaired Chinese athlete during the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics, capturing the sentiment of many in the visually impaired community. China is dedicated to strengthening the agency of visually impaired individuals, guiding society to treat them with equality and recognize their value and contributions. Efforts are focused on empowering them in multiple ways, facilitating learning and skills development, and creating conditions for equal access to education, employment, cultural activities, and full social integration, allowing them to realize the vibrant potential of their lives.