
BEIJING: When the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) lifted its curtain at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday, Wang Yongcheng was presented with a special government work report — a version in Braille, which is a historic first for the country’s top legislature.
“It is a tangible experience of democracy,” Wang said in an excited tone as his fingertips traced the raised dots.
Among the nearly 3,000 deputies to the 14th NPC who commenced their five-year term in 2023, Wang stands out as the sole individual with visual impairment.
Born in Ninghua County of Fujian Province in 1967, Wang lost his sight in an accident at the age of 18. Undeterred, he embarked on a challenging entrepreneurial journey by learning massage skills and conducting non-profit training. His efforts helped over 6,000 blind individuals become self-reliant.
Following his election as a deputy to the 14th NPC, disabled friends from across the country reached out to Wang, sharing their concerns and aspirations.
He delved into each message, conducted thorough investigations, and formulated his proposals.
At last year’s NPC gathering, Wang submitted four suggestions, with concerns encompassing pressing issues faced by the disabled community, such as the employment and education of visually-impaired people, and the building of an accessible environment.
One of his proposals, focusing on providing large-print textbooks for low-vision students enrolled in regular schools, was later adopted during the legislative process of the country’s law on building a barrier-free living environment, which took effect on Sept. 1, 2023.
In November last year, Wang received Braille versions of replies sent by authorities to suggestions he raised at the NPC, the first of its kind in the history of the NPC.
Upon receiving these documents, Wang said that he felt “extremely heartened.”
“It reflects the NPC’s full respect for the people and efforts in guaranteeing deputies’ performance of duties in accordance with the law,” said Wang.