Free computer centers for Beijing’s disabled go online

A staff member from Beijing Disabled Persons' Federation said Tuesday that they will launch 400 computer centers in Beijing by the end of the year, providing free Internet services to disabled people.

Wang Jian, from the federation's Information Center, said the idea was to help those disabled people whose income is lower than others.

"Considering disabled people may be unable to afford a computer, we set up the centers to satisfy their need for information," said Wang.

Wang noted that in 2006 they did a survey which showed that in urban areas, disabled people earned 70 percent of the average income, and only 60 percent of average income in rural areas.

According to Wang, each center will have four computers and they will be installed in grass-roots organizations for the disabled. They will normally operate from Monday to Friday eight hours a day.

"Those who have a certificate of disability are eligible to use them," said Wang.

The first computer center opened Monday in Wenxin Jiayuan community center for the disabled at Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Dongcheng district.

Feng Zhao, who works there, said over 10 people came on the first day.

"There are over 1,600 disabled people living in the neighboring community, and these computers now mean they can access the Internet within walking distance from their homes," she said.

Yang Qingfeng, a blind man working with One Plus One Disabled Persons' Cultural Development Center, said that surfing the Internet can narrow the information and knowledge gap between the healthy and the disabled, thus helping the disabled integrate into society.

However, Yang pointed out it would be better to install the computers in rural areas, where it is less convenient for disabled people to access the Internet.

"Besides, if they are open for longer at night, that will be better," said Yang.