The Chinese Ministry of Education said it has published a tailored curriculum for blind, deaf and intellectually challenged primary and junior high school students to better cater to their needs.

This is the first time that China has formulated a specialized curriculum for disabled students since 1949.

The curriculum covers 42 subjects -- 18 for blind students, 14 for the deaf and 10 for the intellectually challenged.

The content and teaching requirements have all been modified to accommodate disabled students, the ministry said.

China published similar documents in the 1990s, although in a more general format, according to the education ministry.

The new curriculum, which meets the requirements for improved special education, will play a major role in facilitating education equality, the ministry said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2016)