Sign language, Braille to be standardized

China released its first national guidance on Tuesday to standardize sign language and Braille.

Draft standards will be released in 2017, the plan said, while final standards will be issued in 2020, along with the introduction of training nationwide.

An information database of sign language and Braille will also be founded, according to the guidance, which was released by the China Disabled Persons' Federation, the Ministry of Education, the State Language Commission and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

According to the federation, China has more than 30 million people with special needs in hearing and vision.

"The plan not only benefits people with special needs but also promotes social equality," said Cheng Kai, vice-chairman of the federation.

But it will not be an easy task, Cheng said.

"For example, although there are more than 30 million people in need, China has only a few institutes teaching Braille with no more than 10 experts," Cheng said.

Currently, without national standards, sign languages differ across the country, so people from different places cannot fully understand each other.

Du Zhanyuan, vice-minister of education, said the plan will further encourage disabled people's learning and benefit them generally.