In new Sino-Israeli venture, nonprofit offers help for the disabled

As China gets to know Israel better, the world’s most populous country is becoming more familiar with aspects of Israeli society beyond technology start-ups. From a recent casual introductory visit by a visiting Chinese business executive to Beit Issie Shapiro, the Ra’anana-based organization that runs dozens of programs for thousands of disabled Israelis, was born a new form of Israel-China cooperation.

A Chinese manufacturer of medical equipment for the disabled has signed a deal with BIS to open a chain of Autism Rehabilitation Centers throughout China, with the first to be established in the new China-Israel Changzhou Innovation Park, near Shanghai.

“There is rising concern for people with disabilities in our country,” said Wenqing Zhu, CEO of Suzhou Yuanmeng Accessibility Technology Co. Ltd, which develops and manufacturers equipment and technology to help the disabled. “In the past, institutions from the US and European countries had been visiting China to exchange knowledge about the issue, yet there was no concrete solution. Based on my extensive research and analysis, I believe there is tremendous room for cooperation with Beit Issie Shapiro, and look forward to improving and growing together as a team.”

There are few, if any, Israeli organizations that have as much experience in caring for autistic kids and adults – or those with any disability – as BIS. Serving some 30,000 people a year, BIS has established hundreds of centers around Israel to help with therapy for Alzheimer’s, cancer, post-traumatic stress syndrome, and cerebral palsy, as well as “inclusive parks” that contain equipment for disabled kids.

The playground, called Friendship Park, was recently added to an innovation map put together by UNICEF, which maps innovations for children worldwide.

Zhu was so impressed with what he saw at BIS that he decided to bring the model to China – and last week, at a ceremony in Beijing, Beit Issie Shapiro signed an agreement with Zhu’s firm to establish a pilot Autism Rehabilitation Center. In attendance were key Chinese government officials and an Israeli representative from the Chief Scientist’s Office.

“Our partnership is the symbol of building successful trade between the two countries. This project in the field of disabilities will be one of the role models for this kind of increasing cooperation,” Zhu said at the ceremony.

With an initial investment of 15 million yuan ($2.4 million) by Zhu’s firm, the long-term plan is to roll out centers across China with a total investment of 120 million yuan ($19 million).

“We commend Mr. Zhu on his inspiring social vision of a better quality of life for children with disabilities – a vision we strongly share,” said Sharon Yeheskel-Oron, Beit Issie Shapiro’s International Collaborations Officer. “We look forward to assisting him with making this a reality in China.”