Deafness in China

There are about 27.8 million deaf or hard of hearing individuals in China.^[1] This accounts for about 2% of the total population. Deafness is currently considered a disability and there is a large push by the government to focus on developing and introduction medical solutions to deafness with the use of cochlear implants usually directed towards children.^[1]

Human and civil rights for DHH people in China

The UN CRPD

China signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on March 30, 2007,^[2] and ratified it on August 1, 2008.^[2] The first report was submitted in 2011.^[3] The second and third report were submitted on August 31, 2018^[4] and reviewed in August 2022. The List of Issues was also filled in 2022.

• Sign language rights (Articles 2, 21.b, 21.3, 23.3, and 24.3b)
• Deaf culture and linguistic identity (Article 30.4)
• Bilingual education (Article 24.1, 24.3b, 24.4)
• Lifelong learning (Article 5, 24.5, and 27)
• Accessibility (Article 9 and 21)
• Equal employment opportunities (Article 27)
• Equal participation (Article 5, 12, 20, 23, 24, 29)

China's State Party Report(s)

There is no reported information specifically about sign language rights, deaf culture and linguistic identity, bilingual education, lifelong learning, equal employment opportunities or articles 12, 20, 23, 24.

The UN criticizes the lack of accessibility in prisons and detention centers. This is typically varied in comparison to more wealthier cities with larger budgets have better accommodations.^[2]

The UN recommends for the Chinese government to respect the right of freedom of association which will thereby allow for greater public participation of persons with disabilities.^[2]

In regards to equal participation the UN recommends that all facilities within the Justice system are barrier free and have suitable accommodations for person with disabilities. Also to ensure that all government personnel have undergone training that is compliant with the convention.^[2]

The has UN critics, in which the Chinese government has enacted laws which made it hard for disability rights organizations to represent people with disabilities. There are recommendations for the Chinese government to respect freedom of expression and of press and by doing so will allow for more freedoms for all people, but also allow for more participation in political and public life for people with disabilities.^[2]

Sign languages

Chinese Sign Language (CSL)

Chinese Sign Language, also known as CSL or ZGS (simplified Chinese: 中国手语; traditional Chinese: 中國手語 pinyin Zhōngguó Shǒuyǔ), is the main sign language used in China.^{[citation needed]} It is split into two dialects: Southern Chinese Sign Language and Northern Chinese Sign Language with Northern Chinese Sign Language being the main.^{[citation needed]} CSL is a deaf community sign language, currently with no official recognized legal status.^{[citation needed]} Its vitality status is a 5 so it is considered a developing sign language.^{[citation needed]}

Shanghai Sign Language (SCSL)

Shanghai Sign Language, also known as SCSL (上海手语 pinyin shànghǎi shǒuyǔ) is another form of sign language used in China primarily Shanghai.^[5] Its heavily related to Southern Chinese Sign Language.^{[citation needed]} It is a deaf community sign language, with no official recognized legal status. Its vitality status is considered a part of CSL so it is considered a 5.^{[citation needed]}

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS)

UNHS has been a national mandate since 1999.^[6] In 2013 about 69% as newborns and 30% were screened later.^[6] Of those who were screened about 8.7% were referred for follow up diagnosis.^[6] There is no reported statistic for those who were lost to follow up.^[6] Out of a 1000 only 2 babies were confirmed to have permanent childhood hearing loss.^[6] There is no reported average age at which this diagnosis is provided for babies who were screened as infants, and those who were not screened as infant.^[6]

Early intervention (ECI)

UNHS began in 1999 which helped to lead to Early childhood intervention of said deaf children. ECI programs are aimed and target children 6 and under. Children in China are typically able to receive hearing aids relatively easily.^[7] In some major cities such as Beijing hearing aids can be free.^[7] However, in more rural areas it may be more difficult and costly for children to obtain.^[7] As of 2013 there were more than 30,000 cochlear implant recipients in China, 85% of whom are children.^[8] Cochlear implants has been more common and available in China since 2013. There is not much information available about how easy it is for children to learn sign language before school. The average age at which children will receive intervention is about 2 years old.^[9] The average age at which children who were not screened receive intervention services is not known. Audiology is not considered a recognized profession in China and therefore audiologist are relatively uncommon and are typically trained professionals in other specializations who got into audiology.^[1]

Healthcare

Physical and mental health

Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in China just like around the world are typically more likely to be at a higher risk for mental health compared to hearing individuals. Hearing loss specifically is an issue that affects over 60% of the elderly population in China.^[10] Hearing Loss individuals are more less likely to participate in communication and social activities due to hearing loss and has a potential to lead to social isolation and negatively affecting their physical and mental health.^[10] They are also at a higher risk of depression compared to hearing individuals.

Deaf people in China are also more likely to need to use healthcare services and spend more money on healthcare services compared to the average citizen.^[11]

Communication access

Wechat is the most used social media app in china and in 2021 launched a way for deaf or hard of hearing people to use an AI text to speech and vice versa service to be able to communicate with people from emergency centers.^[12]

In regards to hospital services it varies as there is no official laws or general consensus about providing interpreters. Some hospitals, typically in bigger cities provides translators or assistive machines that can allow for communication to occur.

In regards to interpreters, a majority are free lance or part time. There seems to be a severe lack of sign language interpreters in china^[13] and there is no real overall accreditation process or real defined standards. Deaf Interpreters as a profession is relatively new as it was only recognized as an official profession in 2007.^[14]

Health literacy

While there is no definite rates of literacy for DHH people, they generally have lower rates compared to hearing people due to the focus on hearing and vocal education in china.

DHH people typically are less health literate compared to hearing individuals.^[15] This is partially due to lower literacy rates but also due to other reason such as communication issues being a significant barrier. This is an issue for older adults who have a harder time using technology, so they have a harder time accessing healthcare information and communication with their healthcare provider.

Child abuse is an issue due to children not really understanding it and knowing ways to protect themselves, but deaf children are at more of a risk due to health literacy and literacy in general being worse for deaf children.^[16]