Teachers at the school assist Xiao Ya (in red) with pre-exam preparations. (Source: People's Daily)

On June 6, one day before China's national college entrance examination, or Gaokao, 20-year-old Xiao Ya (pseudonym) visited her exam site in Badong County, Hubei Province, accompanied by a teacher to familiarize herself with the environment and make final preparations.

Born with cerebral palsy caused by oxygen deprivation at birth, Xiao Ya faces challenges with mobility and writing speed. This year, she has been granted an additional 30 percent of exam time as an approved testing accommodation, helping ensure equal access to the highly competitive examination.

This arrangement is implemented pursuant to the relevant regulations jointly issued by the Ministry of Education and the China Disabled Persons' Federation. According to this policy, exam candidates who have significant difficulty with writing due to issues such as cerebral palsy can apply for reasonable accommodations during the Gaokao including extending the amount of time to finish each test.

Teachers at the school assist Xiao Ya (in red) with pre-exam preparations. (Source: People's Daily)

For students like Xiao Ya, this additional time represents more than an accommodation, it is also a guarantee that they too will be able to achieve their dreams.

Her whole life, from an early age onwards, Xiao Ya has overcome many physical difficulties. Developmental delays meant she learned to walk and talk later than children her age, as well as entering school later than them. However, she never gave up on her pursuit of education and personal growth. In 2023, her hard work and effort paid off and her excellent grades got her admitted to high school. However, just attending high school was not enough for Xiao Ya. Her goal is to continue her education at university.

According to her teachers and classmates, Xiao Ya is optimistic, cheerful, and positive; and an active participant in public welfare volunteer activities. They say that her primary goal is to do well enough in school that she can independently support herself and live on her own.

Teachers at the school assist Xiao Ya with pre-exam preparations. (Source: People's Daily)

To help her successfully complete the college entrance examination, the school developed a support plan for Xiao Ya including both extra time, and transportation to and from the test site.

In recent years, China has made huge strides in improving its education support system for people with disabilities with measures such as barrier-free facilities and reasonable conveniences for examinations. These measures are helping create a more inclusive educational environment for students with disabilities, enabling more young people like Xiao Ya to pursue education and future opportunities with greater confidence and support.

For Xiao Ya, the Gaokao is more than an academic examination. It is a reflection of years of perseverance, resilience and determination. Like many young people pursuing their aspirations, she hopes education will open the door to a more independent and fulfilling future.