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•There's only one guide dog for every 85,000 Chinese people who have partially or fully lost their eyesight.
•A 2016 survey by the China Information Accessibility Product Alliance found that 30% of the country's visually impaired seldom leave their homes
At
the age of 11, Yang Kang lost his vision due to a rare type of eye
cancer. But he considers himself one of the lucky few among China's
millions of blind people — he has a guide dog.
the age of 11, Yang Kang lost his vision due to a rare type of eye
cancer. But he considers himself one of the lucky few among China's
millions of blind people — he has a guide dog.
Yang
splits his time between living in Beijing with his wife and running a
piano studio in his hometown Tangshan, a sprawling industrial city some
100 miles away.
splits his time between living in Beijing with his wife and running a
piano studio in his hometown Tangshan, a sprawling industrial city some
100 miles away.
His weekly journey consists of a high-speed train ride, two bus rides and three subway transfers through often-crowded stations.It
would have been impossible for most blind Chinese, but Yang is blessed
with a furry companion that guides him every step of the way — Dick, a
four-year-old Labrador.
would have been impossible for most blind Chinese, but Yang is blessed
with a furry companion that guides him every step of the way — Dick, a
four-year-old Labrador.
Guide dogs like Dick are so rare in
China that Yang waited five years to get one. According to state
broadcaster CCTV, China only had some 200 dogs in service as of April — which makes them even rarer than the giant pandas.
China that Yang waited five years to get one. According to state
broadcaster CCTV, China only had some 200 dogs in service as of April — which makes them even rarer than the giant pandas.
The
service dogs' scarcity is all the more striking considering the large
number of people who could potentially benefit from their help. The China Association of the Blind estimates the country's visually impaired population to be over 17 million. According to the World Health Organization, eight million Chinese are completely blind — roughly equal to the whole population of Switzerland.
service dogs' scarcity is all the more striking considering the large
number of people who could potentially benefit from their help. The China Association of the Blind estimates the country's visually impaired population to be over 17 million. According to the World Health Organization, eight million Chinese are completely blind — roughly equal to the whole population of Switzerland.
That's one guide dog for every 85,000 Chinese people who have partially or fully lost their eyesight.
In comparison, about one in 50 blind and visually impaired people in the United States work with guide dogs. In Britain, over 1,000 guide dogs are trained each year for a total of 36,000 people who are registered as blind or partially sighted.
Dangerous streets
Navigating Chinese cities can be a daunting task for the blind to manage on their own.
A 2016 survey
by the China Information Accessibility Product Alliance found that 30%
of the country's visually impaired seldom leave their homes; only one in
four regularly go outside by themselves, with the remainder mostly
shepherded by family and friends.
by the China Information Accessibility Product Alliance found that 30%
of the country's visually impaired seldom leave their homes; only one in
four regularly go outside by themselves, with the remainder mostly
shepherded by family and friends.
Before
Dick came along, Yang had to rely on his white cane to get around —
but he said it was difficult and dangerous to cross the multi-lane
highways and navigate the numerous pedestrian overpasses and tunnels
that make up the Chinese capital by himself."I was in constant fear," he said. "The most terrifying thing is that I have no idea what the road ahead is like."
Dick came along, Yang had to rely on his white cane to get around —
but he said it was difficult and dangerous to cross the multi-lane
highways and navigate the numerous pedestrian overpasses and tunnels
that make up the Chinese capital by himself."I was in constant fear," he said. "The most terrifying thing is that I have no idea what the road ahead is like."
While much progress has been made in
recent years, Chinese cities are still far from disabled friendly. Even
in Beijing, accessibility is lacking in many places — for instance, not
all pedestrian crossings have audible traffic signals for the blind,
Yang said.
recent years, Chinese cities are still far from disabled friendly. Even
in Beijing, accessibility is lacking in many places — for instance, not
all pedestrian crossings have audible traffic signals for the blind,
Yang said.
Even when accessibility
facilities are in place, they sometimes fail to serve their purpose.
Most Chinese cities, for example, have tactile paving designed to guide
the blind lining sidewalks along major streets — as required by a law
passed in 2001. But they are often unfriendly or downright dangerous to
use. Some are built to zigzag down a street, while others lead straight into trees, lamp posts or fire hydrants. Many are constantly occupied by illegally parked cars, bicycles or street vendors.
facilities are in place, they sometimes fail to serve their purpose.
Most Chinese cities, for example, have tactile paving designed to guide
the blind lining sidewalks along major streets — as required by a law
passed in 2001. But they are often unfriendly or downright dangerous to
use. Some are built to zigzag down a street, while others lead straight into trees, lamp posts or fire hydrants. Many are constantly occupied by illegally parked cars, bicycles or street vendors.
"The 'blind paths' are basically
impossible to walk on," said Yang, who gave up following them years ago.
"They're not built or maintained with the convenience of blind people
in mind."
impossible to walk on," said Yang, who gave up following them years ago.
"They're not built or maintained with the convenience of blind people
in mind."
CNN's asked the Ministry
of Housing and Urban-Rural Development whether it is overseeing how
tactile pavings for blind people are built and maintained, but did not
receive a response.
of Housing and Urban-Rural Development whether it is overseeing how
tactile pavings for blind people are built and maintained, but did not
receive a response.
The poor upkeep
of roads, in general, often poses another hazard — Yang once fell into
an uncovered seven-feet deep manhole while passing through an old
residential compound. Luckily he did not suffer serious injuries, and
managed to climb out of it.
of roads, in general, often poses another hazard — Yang once fell into
an uncovered seven-feet deep manhole while passing through an old
residential compound. Luckily he did not suffer serious injuries, and
managed to climb out of it.
In China, manhole covers are often stolen to be sold for scrap metal. According to Chinese media,
there were more than 70 publicly reported injuries or deaths due to
stolen or broken manhole covers between 2017 and 2019. The incidents are
so prevalent that China's Supreme Court announced stricter punishments
in April, subjecting those who remove or damage manhole covers in busy
areas to the maximum sentence of the death penalty, when it leads to
serious injury or deaths.
there were more than 70 publicly reported injuries or deaths due to
stolen or broken manhole covers between 2017 and 2019. The incidents are
so prevalent that China's Supreme Court announced stricter punishments
in April, subjecting those who remove or damage manhole covers in busy
areas to the maximum sentence of the death penalty, when it leads to
serious injury or deaths.
China's first guide dog school
Yang
first learned about guide dogs in 2008 — when a golden retriever led
Ping Yali, a partially blind long jumper who won China's first
Paralympic gold medal, into the opening ceremony to relay the torch for
the Beijing Paralympic Games.
first learned about guide dogs in 2008 — when a golden retriever led
Ping Yali, a partially blind long jumper who won China's first
Paralympic gold medal, into the opening ceremony to relay the torch for
the Beijing Paralympic Games.
After three yearsof
researching and making calls, Yang finally found out where to apply for
one — a guide dog training center in the northeastern city of Dalian.
researching and making calls, Yang finally found out where to apply for
one — a guide dog training center in the northeastern city of Dalian.
Founded in 2006, the Dalian China Guide Dog Training Center was the first of its kind in China — but similar facilities existed internationally for decades. The world's first guide dog school was
established during World War I, in Germany, to help returning soldiers
who had been blinded on the front lines. The US got its first guide dog
school in 1929, and the UK in 1940, according to the International Guide
Dog Federation.
established during World War I, in Germany, to help returning soldiers
who had been blinded on the front lines. The US got its first guide dog
school in 1929, and the UK in 1940, according to the International Guide
Dog Federation.
Wang Jingyu, an
animal behavior expert at Dalian Medical University, decided to train
China's own guide dogs after noticing that, unlike their Western
counterparts, blind Chinese athletes did not have guide dogs to help
them during the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, said Liang Jia, a staff
member at the Dalian center.
animal behavior expert at Dalian Medical University, decided to train
China's own guide dogs after noticing that, unlike their Western
counterparts, blind Chinese athletes did not have guide dogs to help
them during the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, said Liang Jia, a staff
member at the Dalian center.
Without
any prior knowledge or experience, Wang researched online how to train
guide dogs and sought help from international experts.
any prior knowledge or experience, Wang researched online how to train
guide dogs and sought help from international experts.
When
the center opened in 2006, about 50,000 people called from across China
to apply for a guide dog — but Wang only had two to offer. "Our office
phone was ringing off the hook," Wang told news agency Xinhua.
the center opened in 2006, about 50,000 people called from across China
to apply for a guide dog — but Wang only had two to offer. "Our office
phone was ringing off the hook," Wang told news agency Xinhua.
The
facility has expanded over the years — it now keeps 100 in various
stages of training, and more than 20 graduate each year.
facility has expanded over the years — it now keeps 100 in various
stages of training, and more than 20 graduate each year.
Thepuppies — mostly
Golden Retrievers and Labradors, chosen for their gentle, friendly
nature — are first sent to foster families for a year to learn to live
with humans, before returning to the center for another year of
professional training. It is a lengthy and strict process — along the
way, about 60% of the dogs will be disqualified and put up for adoption
as pet dogs. The causes for disqualification can include showing
aggression, having excessive energy, being overly sensitive to pressure,
and lacking the ability to remained focus, as well as suffering from
car sickness.
Golden Retrievers and Labradors, chosen for their gentle, friendly
nature — are first sent to foster families for a year to learn to live
with humans, before returning to the center for another year of
professional training. It is a lengthy and strict process — along the
way, about 60% of the dogs will be disqualified and put up for adoption
as pet dogs. The causes for disqualification can include showing
aggression, having excessive energy, being overly sensitive to pressure,
and lacking the ability to remained focus, as well as suffering from
car sickness.
After passing all
the evaluations, a qualified guide dog will be matched with an owner and
undergo another 40 days of joint training, before it can follow the
owner to its new home.
the evaluations, a qualified guide dog will be matched with an owner and
undergo another 40 days of joint training, before it can follow the
owner to its new home.
Limited by funding
Over
the past years, a few smaller guide dog training centers have opened in
China, but the Dalian center remains the country's largest, and one of
the only two recognized by the International Guide Dog Federation
(IGDF). In general, it's hard to get the funding to start or continue
running a center. And to be qualified by IGDF, a center needs to pass a
strict evaluation process, which can be difficult for those without
sufficient funding.
the past years, a few smaller guide dog training centers have opened in
China, but the Dalian center remains the country's largest, and one of
the only two recognized by the International Guide Dog Federation
(IGDF). In general, it's hard to get the funding to start or continue
running a center. And to be qualified by IGDF, a center needs to pass a
strict evaluation process, which can be difficult for those without
sufficient funding.
The other
IGDF-approved school, Yunnan Erxin Dog Guides, opened in Shanghai in
2018. Before that, the Shanghai Disabled Persons' Federationhad been commissioning a police dog training center in the nearby city of Nanjing to train guide dogs for its visually impaired citizens.
IGDF-approved school, Yunnan Erxin Dog Guides, opened in Shanghai in
2018. Before that, the Shanghai Disabled Persons' Federationhad been commissioning a police dog training center in the nearby city of Nanjing to train guide dogs for its visually impaired citizens.
The
lack of funding is a key constraint for China's guide dog schools,
Liang said. As a nonprofit, the Dalian center provides guide dogs to
applicants for free, but each animal costs about 200,000 yuan ($30,353)
to train. In the early years, Wang used his own savings to keep the
center running. Then, in 2010, the Dalian government started to
subsidize the center with 60,000 yuan ($9,106) for each guide dog it
trains. The center also receives donations from the public, but they're
often not enough to cover the cost — currently, it faces a 30% budget
deficit, according to Liang.
lack of funding is a key constraint for China's guide dog schools,
Liang said. As a nonprofit, the Dalian center provides guide dogs to
applicants for free, but each animal costs about 200,000 yuan ($30,353)
to train. In the early years, Wang used his own savings to keep the
center running. Then, in 2010, the Dalian government started to
subsidize the center with 60,000 yuan ($9,106) for each guide dog it
trains. The center also receives donations from the public, but they're
often not enough to cover the cost — currently, it faces a 30% budget
deficit, according to Liang.
"If we
had more sufficient funding, we'll be able to train more guide dogs,"
Liang said. "But the reality is, we can only operate on the money we've
got."
had more sufficient funding, we'll be able to train more guide dogs,"
Liang said. "But the reality is, we can only operate on the money we've
got."
The center currently has about 30
instructors. Many of them are young university graduates who are
passionate about dogs and helping others — and are committed enough to
accept a monthly salary 60% below the city's average income.
instructors. Many of them are young university graduates who are
passionate about dogs and helping others — and are committed enough to
accept a monthly salary 60% below the city's average income.
Liang,
who graduated from university in 2011, gave up her job offer as a civil
servant to join the center as an instructor — against the advice of
everyone around her. "My parents disapproved it, and my boyfriend broke
up with me because of it, but I had my mind set on the job — it is a
cause that's worth devoting my passion and youth for," she said.
who graduated from university in 2011, gave up her job offer as a civil
servant to join the center as an instructor — against the advice of
everyone around her. "My parents disapproved it, and my boyfriend broke
up with me because of it, but I had my mind set on the job — it is a
cause that's worth devoting my passion and youth for," she said.
Liang
hopes the government — especially the central government in Beijing —
can offer more funding, given that its guide dogs are offered to
applicants not just from Dalian, but all over China. The center is also
trying to raise public awareness about guide dogs on social media,
hoping to bring in more donations.
hopes the government — especially the central government in Beijing —
can offer more funding, given that its guide dogs are offered to
applicants not just from Dalian, but all over China. The center is also
trying to raise public awareness about guide dogs on social media,
hoping to bring in more donations.
Public acceptance
Yang,
and other guide dog users, said that guide dogs have become more
accepted by the Chinese public in recent years. More often than not,
they are allowed on subways, buses and trains, especially in first-tier
cities such asBeijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
and other guide dog users, said that guide dogs have become more
accepted by the Chinese public in recent years. More often than not,
they are allowed on subways, buses and trains, especially in first-tier
cities such asBeijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
But
some other cities still have a long way to go. In April, in an attempt
to test public acceptance, a traffic officer in Taiyuan, Shanxi
province, pretended
to be blind and tried to board a bus with a guide dog. He ended up
being waved off the bus by the driver and scolded by some passengers for
wasting their time. The video of his encounter went viral on Chinese
social media, drawing calls for more public awareness on the
difficulties faced by the country's blind.
some other cities still have a long way to go. In April, in an attempt
to test public acceptance, a traffic officer in Taiyuan, Shanxi
province, pretended
to be blind and tried to board a bus with a guide dog. He ended up
being waved off the bus by the driver and scolded by some passengers for
wasting their time. The video of his encounter went viral on Chinese
social media, drawing calls for more public awareness on the
difficulties faced by the country's blind.
While
guide dogs have allowed Yang and others to travel more freely, there
are also obstacles — many hotels still don't accept guide dogs, and
buying a plane ticket can sometimes turn into a bureaucratic nightmare.
Even if a guide dog has valid work permit and proper vaccine
certificate, many airlines requires a separate health certificate — the
kind needed for the transportation of pets and farm animals, which can
be tricky to obtain.
guide dogs have allowed Yang and others to travel more freely, there
are also obstacles — many hotels still don't accept guide dogs, and
buying a plane ticket can sometimes turn into a bureaucratic nightmare.
Even if a guide dog has valid work permit and proper vaccine
certificate, many airlines requires a separate health certificate — the
kind needed for the transportation of pets and farm animals, which can
be tricky to obtain.
Chinese laws
are vague on the use of guide dogs in public. The Law on the Protection
of Disabled Persons says "blind persons shall comply with relevant state
regulations when entering public places with guide dogs," but it
doesn't specify what the "relevant state regulations" are.
are vague on the use of guide dogs in public. The Law on the Protection
of Disabled Persons says "blind persons shall comply with relevant state
regulations when entering public places with guide dogs," but it
doesn't specify what the "relevant state regulations" are.
Some cities have issued their own policies to allow guide dogs in public places and transports, but enforcement can be spotty.
Yang said hehad
been turned down by bus drivers, hotels and restaurants, but he wasn't
discouraged. Instead, he treated every refusal as an opportunity to let
one more person learn about guide dogs.
been turned down by bus drivers, hotels and restaurants, but he wasn't
discouraged. Instead, he treated every refusal as an opportunity to let
one more person learn about guide dogs.
"There
are only some 200 guide dogs in a country of 1.4 billion people — the
chance of meeting one is extremely low," he said. "That's why we need
pioneers to introduce them (to society.)"
are only some 200 guide dogs in a country of 1.4 billion people — the
chance of meeting one is extremely low," he said. "That's why we need
pioneers to introduce them (to society.)"
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