International Day of Persons with Disabilities | Summary of the Comprehensive Development Seminar for Children and Adolescents with Disabilities
December 3rd marks the 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities, with this year’s theme being “Empowering Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.”
From November 30th to December 1st, Save the Children, in collaboration with Inclusion Factory and Taicang UShine Charity Center, held a seminar on the comprehensive development of children and adolescents with disabilities in Taicang, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. The seminar aimed to share practical experiences between policymakers and practitioners and discuss strategies for supporting the comprehensive development of children and adolescents with disabilities, providing important insights for disability inclusion efforts.
On the afternoon of November 30th, participants visited three inclusive employment employers: IMS Gear (Taicang) Co., Ltd., Mubea (Taicang) Co., Ltd., and Inclusion Factory. They engaged in in-depth discussions on the practices of inclusive employment, focusing on production operations, inclusive labor practices, reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, and improvements to the workplace.
Visiting IMS Gear (Taicang) Co., Ltd.
Visiting Mubea (Taicang) Co., Ltd.
Visiting Inclusion Factory
On December 1st, the Comprehensive Development Seminar for Children and Adolescents with Disabilities was successfully held. The seminar invited representatives from the disability associations, education sectors, businesses, and social organizations from Sichuan, Chongqing, and the Yangtze River Delta region to discuss strategies for supporting the comprehensive development of children and adolescents with disabilities.
Group photo of all attendees
Jessica Shen, Standing Committee Member of the Taicang Municipal CPPCC, General Manager of Oase Water Arts (Taicang) Co., Ltd., Initiating Director of Inclusion Factory, and Founding Board Member of Taicang UShine Charity Center, delivered a welcome speech. From the founding philosophy and development journey of Inclusion Factory to the sincere sharing of her personal experience and family background in helping people with disabilities, Jessica Shen deeply elaborated on the practical significance of disability inclusion.
Jessica Shen delivering her welcome speech
Liu Ming, Director of Program Quality and Development at Save the Children, delivered a speech, emphasizing Save the Children’s century-long commitment to improving global child welfare and its multiple projects in China in collaboration with various stakeholders. At the same time, Director Liu analyzed the importance of disability inclusion efforts and expressed hope that the seminar would generate valuable ideas to create a better future for the comprehensive development of children and adolescents with disabilities.
Liu Ming delivering the speech
Dr. Duan Xuanfeng, Executive Director of the Sichuan Special Education Resource Center, shared insights on inclusive education practices in Sichuan Province. Dr. Duan introduced the progress made in advancing disability inclusion in Sichuan, with a focus on key achievements of recent years in collaboration between the Sichuan Special Education Resource Center and Save the Children on disability inclusion projects. This includes the development and creation of tools, academic research and surveys, and teacher capacity-building initiatives.
Dr. Duan Xuanfeng sharing on inclusive education practices in Sichuan Province
Professor Xu Jiacheng delivered a keynote speech on the topic of “Vocational Skills and Employment Transition Support Strategies for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities.” Professor Xu emphasized the key role of vocational education in improving employment rates among youth with intellectual disabilities. He proposed various strategies that can promote continuous growth and stable employment for these youth. Through multiple case studies, he showcased successful experiences from practical applications, highlighting how vocational education and employment support can help youth with intellectual disabilities transition smoothly into the workforce, integrate into mainstream society, and realize their personal value. Professor Xu’s speech provided valuable insights for the attendees and offered clear support strategies for the career development of young people with disabilities.
Professor Xu Jiacheng delivering his speech on ‘Vocational Skills and Employment Transition Support Strategies for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities’
Dr. Jia Ying delivering her keynote speech
During the afternoon guest sharing session, practitioners and stakeholders from the disability inclusion sector in Sichuan Province and the Yangtze River Delta region shared their efforts in supporting children and adolescents with disabilities to access high-quality inclusive education and comprehensive career development support.
First, as representatives of inclusive education schools and resource platforms, Lei Ying, a teacher from the Chengdu Special Education Resource Center, and Li Jian, a teacher from the Taicang Special Education School, shared their experiences on supporting children and adolescents with disabilities in accessing high-quality inclusive early education, inclusive education, and vocational education.
Lei Ying from Chengdu Special Education Resource Center sharing her insights
Li Jian from Taicang Special Education School sharing his insights
Next, as representatives of social enterprises and disability support organizations, Xiao Qinxin, a representative from the Chengdu Jinjiang Special School Xingkongli Internship Base, shared the explorations and practices of the Xingkongli Internship Base in providing comprehensive case support for students in special education schools, especially for those in vocational education tracks.
Xiao Qinxin from Chengdu Jinjiang Special School Xingkongli Internship Base sharing her insights
Ms. Chen Jing from Mubea (Taicang) Co., Ltd. and Ms. Yang Ai from Accenture (China) Co., Ltd., Chengdu Branch, shared their respective companies’ efforts from the perspective of employers promoting integrated employment. They highlighted their support for equal and dignified employment opportunities for employees with disabilities, as well as their initiatives in recruiting, retaining, and supporting people with intellectual disabilities.
Ms. Chen Jing sharing her insights
Ms. Yang Ai sharing her insights
At the conclusion of the seminar, a roundtable discussion was held on the theme of “Comprehensive Development Support and Future Prospects for Children and Adolescents with Disabilities.” Attendees from disability associations, universities, resource centers, special education schools, social organizations, and enterprises in Sichuan Province and the Yangtze River Delta region engaged in a thorough and constructive discussion on the challenges faced by youth with disabilities in achieving employment and the types of support they need. Participants pointed out that providing a supportive ecosystem for youth with disabilities is a crucial prerequisite for their access to equal and dignified employment. It requires all stakeholders to build collaborative platforms, share information, and coordinate efforts to support youth with disabilities in gaining comprehensive support throughout their careers.
Attendees engaging in the roundtable discussion
Promoting the comprehensive development of children and adolescents with disabilities is a systematic and long-term task that requires the joint efforts of the government, society, schools, families, and individuals. Through this seminar, practitioners and stakeholders shared ideas, exchanged experiences, and formed a collective force to explore more scientific and effective solutions, creating a better future for the comprehensive development of children and adolescents with disabilities.
