Zhang Haidi, president of Rehabilitation International (RI) and chairperson of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), recently used her microblog to promote an open letter calling for half-price train tickets for people with disabilities that 353 people with disabilities and their families addressed to the China Railway Corporation.
Zhang wrote in the post that she understands what convenient trips could mean to the population with disabilities, saying that in order to fully participate in society, people with disabilities need convenient access to the community at large.
Reportedly, the CRC has transferred the letter to the National Development and Reform Commission, one of the country’s major economic policymakers. In response, the commission said that offering half-price train tickets for persons with disabilities would ease their financial burden, and that a government subsidy would be necessary. As such, the commission will conduct further research with the CDPF and the CRC on more equitable ticketing policies.
