Occupational therapy stations in China: economic integration or economic stratification for people with learning difficulties

Since the economic reforms, the social welfare system in China has undergone changes in both its programmes and its underlying values. There are two major competing ideologies, namely, socialist collectivism and market-oriented individualism, influencing welfare policies. This paper focuses on occupational therapy stations, a community service for people with learning difficulties in Guangzhou. It is found that the competition between the two ideologies has negative effects on the service. Instead of achieving the goal of social and economic integration, the service has reinforced the social stratification between society and people with learning difficulties.