Legal aid for the disabled in transitional China

This article discusses the factors influencing development of legal aid for the disabled in China. While it is significant that China signed the 2006 UN Convention on Persons with Disabilities underpinned by the social model of disability, the monopoly of the China Disabled People's Federation over disability issues is pivotal. We argue that the monopoly which extends to legal aid for the disabled is a double-edged sword. We also suggest that the social model of disability has yet to underpin legal aid in China. Finally, non-government initiatives should challenge the monopoly to ensure genuine equal treatment and non-discrimination for the disabled.