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China to standardize sign languages, braille

Xinhua, December 29, 2015 Adjust font size:

The government is to map out official standards for sign languages and braille to be used nationwide within the next five years.

China has more than 30 million people with hearing and vision impairments. Due to regional and cultural differences, sign languages and braille used in one place can be different from those in another.

A plan, made public Tuesday, has set the goal of determining one type of sign language and braille to be used nationwide by 2017 and issue official standards, notably, their use on computers and other new media platforms, by 2020.

The plan was jointly released by the China Disabled Persons' Federation, the Ministry of Education, State Language Commission and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

It also vowed legislative efforts for the protection and standardization of these languages.

"Standardizing sign languages and braille is directly related to the rights of people with disabilities and their capacity to improve themselves culturally and mingle with society," said Cheng Kai, a senior official with the federation. Endit