1. The Outline

   There are 520,000 disabled people in Shanghai, nearly 70,000 of whom are mentally challenged. For various reasons, some of the mentally challenged people have idled in society, stuck at home for a long time, which caused the gradual degradation of their abilities and brought burdens to their families.

    The program “Sunshine Action of the Mentally Challenged Persons” targeted at assisting those aged 16 to 35 with working abilities, aims to improve their ability to help themselves, work and communicate with others and adapt back into society. It involves different kinds of training programs, particularly the Special Olympic Games and employment.

   “Sunshine Homes” was set up for the mentally challenged living on the streets and in towns. By relying on social resources, mobilizing and absorbing the mentally challenged of the region, the program provided education, training, simple work, rehabilitation training and Special Olympic Games adapted to the characteristics and demands of the mentally challenged to improve their ability to help themselves, work and communicate. Those receptive to professional training were allocated in batches to training bases and then recommended for jobs. 

 

2、An Open Letter

 

September 20, 2005

Honorable relatives and friends of the handicapped:

How are you?

    In the routine news conference of the Municipal government on January 13, 2006, the project “Organizing 10,000 mentally challenged people to take part in training, rehabilitation and simple work by trying to improve their daily living ability and social adaptability” was listed as one of the 10 projects that should be achieved in 2005 by the Municipal government. According to the different kinds of training, Special Olympic Games and simple work, it focused on those aged from 16 to 35 in Shanghai, and aimed to improve their ability to help themselves, their social adaptability and simple working ability, and their chance to be involved in society. Therefore, the project was named “Sunshine Action of the Mentally Challenged Persons.” The number of mentally challenged people has reached almost 70,000. For various reasons, some of the mentally challenged individuals have idled in society and have stayed at home for a long time, which caused the gradual degradation of their abilities and brought certain burdens to their families.

    “Sunshine Action of the Retarded Persons” calls for the construction of the “Sunshine Homes” for the mentally challenged based on the streets and towns, and by carrying out proper training and the gradual introduction of them into simple work placements. Several training bases have been built in the city, creating opportunities for their employment. By 2005, the target number of the handicapped people attending these activities held by streets and towns was 10,000.    

    Their attendance at these activities was beneficial to themselves for a healthy div and mind, and for a more harmonious society. It is a more advanced concept and method in the world.

    The action is the embodiment of the concern of the Party committee and the Municipal government for the mentally challenged, and it is also vital in helping them realize the protection of human rights and in promoting social civilization and building a harmonious socialist society.     

    With the endeavors of the city and district government leaders and related ministries, “Sunshine Homes” are being put into use successively in every street and town. We sincerely hope to receive your understanding and cooperation -- mobilizing those mentally challenged people who meet the criteria to join in the activities and having them enjoy a positive and substantial life. Let’s join our efforts to make “Sunshine Homes” a paradise for the mentally challenged.

              

                                            Sincerely yours,  

                             “Sunshine Action of the Mentally Challenged Persons” Office

            Shanghai Association of the Relatives and Friends of Mentally Challenged Persons

 

3. “Sunshine Homes” reach 233 and 11,956 mentally challenged persons register in Shanghai

    By December 20, 2005, the city had 233 “Sunshine Homes,” of which 11 were demonstration models, and 11,956 registered mentally challenged persons attended educational training courses, simple work, the Special Olympic Games and rehabilitation training programs. There were 939 assistants for the disabled and 1,805 “Sunshine Homes” volunteers.