Shadow puppet studio staffers communicate with local citizens during an event to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3.
A series of activities were held at the Guangming Subdistrict Vocational Rehabilitation Center to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which fell on Dec. 3, Bao'an Daily reported.
The annual observance of IDPD was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.
Over 1.3 billion people experience significant disability worldwide, which represents 16% of the global population, statistics from the World Heath Organization showed.
At the Guangming Subdistrict Vocational Rehabilitation Center, people with special needs get help not only in rehabilitation, but also in many aspects like confidence building and tailored plans for their career development.
The center employs professional social workers, rehabilitation therapists, and psychological counselors to provide medical, psychological, and social rehabilitation services.
Employment is the foundation for people with disabilities to improve their living conditions and participate in social activities, and is the key to realizing their life value. In August 2019, the center established a shadow puppet studio for people with disabilities.
Since the establishment of the studio, the Guangming Art and Culture Center has helped the studio to showcase the carving, production process, and performance of shadow puppets to the public, promoting intangible cultural heritage and traditional culture, attracting community residents to come to the center to experience the fun of shadow puppets.
This year, the studio had over 10 commercial performances such as the Wanda Commercial Plaza anniversary celebration and the Hongqiao 1958 market performance.
The person in charge of the center said that the shadow play studio is gradually moving toward more social stages, allowing people with disabilities to take practical actions to repay society and inspire others with confidence and optimism.
In addition, the rehabilitation center classifies disabled people according to their individual abilities, allowing them to stay in the center to participate in goods processing and handmade product production, or to conduct vocational needs assessments and vocational skills training for them.
Based on their individual strengths and skills, they are recommended to different employers. Currently, the center has helped 804 people with special needs to find jobs, and their handicraft works have been sold by charity bazaars and auctions, with a total income of 49,470 yuan (US$6,981).
The center has provided day care services, including morning checkups, temperature monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, daily leisure activities, and supervision of medication for 2,535 people with disabilities this year. It has also organized 13 cultural and sports events for people with disabilities this year.