In China at least five million children have a disability. Significant numbers of children with disabilities continue to learn in separate special education facilities, and the vast majority of abandoned children living in institutions have a disability.
The campaign aims to challenge stigma, increase public understanding of disability, and create more inclusive environments for children in schools, health centres and communities. The campaign therefore calls for children with disabilities to live with families and study in mainstream schools, wherever possible.
UNICEF youth representative Zhao Chen led an interactive session highlighting the shift from accessibility to inclusion.
“Every child, with or without disabilities, deserves equal access to learning, social participation and the chance to fulfil their potential”, he said, “While kindness matters, real inclusion requires us to set aside bias, so that everyone can live with mutual respect and participate in society equally.”