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Wheelchairs users want change - 26th May 2021

These people use wheelchairs. 85 million people use wheelchairs in China. China is a modern country. But life is difficult for wheelchair users. Travelling can be a problem. In Shanghai, you can see wheelchairs on busy roads. Sometimes, they have to use roads to travel around.

Huang Yan is a businesswoman. She says life is changing for wheelchair users.

Huang Yan: "Of course the whole situation [for wheelchair users] is improving, including people's attitudes. Ten years ago, many people would look at me as an alien. But now they see me as their equal and don't pay too much attention to me. Moreover, the barrier-free facilities are improving too."

But there are many problems. Zhao Hongcheng makes videos and tries to help wheelchair users. She was ill as a child. Now, she uses a wheelchair. Zhao went to university. But many people can’t.

Zhao Hongcheng: "Wheelchair users still face difficulties getting into education and employment. That's why they're not being seen very often, but that doesn't mean there are not many of them. The number of wheelchair users is actually very high."

Huang and Zhao tell the government about problems. Sometimes, things change. They continue to fight for wheelchair users. They know life is difficult outside big cities. They want wheelchair users to enjoy life everywhere.