Higher education in China ensures access for students with disabilities

World Today

In a few weeks, Zhou Haoyu will finish his first year in Musicology at Beijing Union University.

Music is his passion and dream. But till just a year ago, he never imagined he’d have the chance to pursue these advanced studies.

Zhao Haoyu says, “The school has been providing us with good teaching facilities, inviting famous musicians to give us lectures, and offering chances of international exchanges. I can’t see well, but my eyes have indeed opened wide after coming to study here.”

Zhou was born with Retinitis Pigmentosa, an eye disease that’s left him visually impaired. His eyes can only sense a little light during the day. At night, he becomes completely blind. Compared to people with normal vision, Zhou faces a lot more difficulties when learning music.

Zhou is not the only visually impaired student at the school. Four years ago, Xue Nanxian came to the university to study acupuncture and massage. He suffers from albinism and weak eyesight. Xue used to study at a regular high school in Sichuan province in Southwest China.

Having failed once in the college entrance exam, Xue decided to come here, since the independent entrance exams for this university are considered to be a lot easier and he couldn’t afford to fail again.

CCTV’s Tang Bo reports from Beijing.

Higher education in China ensures access for students with disabilities

In a few weeks, Zhou Haoyu will finish his first year in Musicology at Beijing Union University.