The following slides show the results of a classroom survey of Chinese attitudes about disabilities Students were asked a number of questions that focused on different aspects of the life of disabled persons, including Awareness Accessibility Integration

The following slides show the results of a classroom survey of Chinese attitudes about disabilities

Students were asked a number of questions that focused on different aspects of the life of disabled persons, including

Awareness

Accessibility

Integration

Out of approximately 50 students in the lecture, 37 responded to the survey form The respondents were between the ages of 17 and 50, with a median age of 22, and all reflect a middle- to upper-class socioeconomic background Due to the sample size and nature of the sample this survey cannot be considered scientific

Out of approximately 50 students in the lecture, 37 responded to the survey form

The respondents were between the ages of 17 and 50, with a median age of 22, and all reflect a middle- to upper-class socioeconomic background

Due to the sample size and nature of the sample this survey cannot be considered scientific

This question deals with awareness by exploring how personal the situation of disability is to the respondent. In the event of a large-scale survey it could function as a control question.

This question deals with awareness by exploring how personal the situation of disability is to the respondent.

In the event of a large-scale survey it could function as a control question.

This question probes awareness of disability in a broader way by looking at famous disabled people within society. Awareness of the contributions of disabled people is an important step towards social change to benefit the disabled.

This question probes awareness of disability in a broader way by looking at famous disabled people within society.

Awareness of the contributions of disabled people is an important step towards social change to benefit the disabled.

Here we follow up on a previous question [Two (A)] by asking those who answered yes to name a famous disabled person. Results include the kind of examples one would expect from a Western audience as well as two disabled Chinese athletes (Jin Jing and Sang Lan) and a famous disabled writer in China, Zhang Haidi.

Here we follow up on a previous question [Two (A)] by asking those who answered yes to name a famous disabled person.

Results include the kind of examples one would expect from a Western audience as well as two disabled Chinese athletes (Jin Jing and Sang Lan) and a famous disabled writer in China, Zhang Haidi.

The first of our accessibility questions looks at what are arguably the most important “spaces” which disabled people must access – the school and the workplace. China has made progress in recent years towards incorporating Braille signs, wheelchair ramps, and the like, but it seems even the respondents agree there’s work to be done.

The first of our accessibility questions looks at what are arguably the most important “spaces” which disabled people must access – the school and the workplace.

China has made progress in recent years towards incorporating Braille signs, wheelchair ramps, and the like, but it seems even the respondents agree there’s work to be done.

The second of our accessibility questions asks whether disabled persons would be able to get around at Binjiang Dao, the heart of Tianjin’s downtown shopping district. Again, the respondents seem to suggest more work is needed, though commercial areas may be more accessible than other locations to the disabled.

The second of our accessibility questions asks whether disabled persons would be able to get around at Binjiang Dao, the heart of Tianjin’s downtown shopping district.

Again, the respondents seem to suggest more work is needed, though commercial areas may be more accessible than other locations to the disabled.

The first of our two integration questions looks at the basic question of whether or not education will begin in an equal setting or whether the physically disabled should be segregated. Currently, accessibility to high school education and college among disabled Chinese is much more limited than in a Western setting, and educational segregation is more of a norm.

The first of our two integration questions looks at the basic question of whether or not education will begin in an equal setting or whether the physically disabled should be segregated.

Currently, accessibility to high school education and college among disabled Chinese is much more limited than in a Western setting, and educational segregation is more of a norm.

Our second integration question (and final question of the survey) finds our respondents tolerant of the idea of allowing helper dogs on public transportation. Note that many Chinese cities have altogether banned helper dogs because they come from larger breeds such as Golden Retrievers; as of 2008 China only had seven seeing eye dogs.

Our second integration question (and final question of the survey) finds our respondents tolerant of the idea of allowing helper dogs on public transportation.

Note that many Chinese cities have altogether banned helper dogs because they come from larger breeds such as Golden Retrievers; as of 2008 China only had seven seeing eye dogs.

Our results, though not scientific, seem to suggest that the current generation of educated Chinese is more receptive to the needs of the disabled However, positive attitudes don’t necessarily reflect the policy direction the respondents would endorse Thus, care should be taken not to over-interpret the results

Our results, though not scientific, seem to suggest that the current generation of educated Chinese is more receptive to the needs of the disabled

However, positive attitudes don’t necessarily reflect the policy direction the respondents would endorse

Thus, care should be taken not to over-interpret the results