Li Dong, one of the blind students, was accompanied by his parents, uncle and sister this morning from his home in suburban Shanghai to the university in downtown.

His family's assistance proved to be unnecessary as two students were on hand to assist Li with the registration procedure. Both of them were wearing red T-shirts which read "Volunteer Blind Assistant."

Li said he was so excited that he could not sleep well last night. The young man got up at 4 a.m. to await the long-anticipated moment. "Today is too important for me," he said, clutching his signed registration form tightly.

Li and two other blind students were allowed to take a special entrance examination on July 11 and 12, four days following the national exam. They were admitted to Shanghai Normal University's Department of Foreign Languages.

Li was guided to his bedroom on the first floor of a dormitory building. His three roommates, none of whom are vision-impaired, were waiting for him, along with a set of Braille textbooks.

When the university's vice-president and a couple of teachers arrived at the dorm to visit Li, Li's father expressed his satisfaction.

Li's younger sister, who is also blind, said, "I want to go to college like my brother."

Cai Jiafei, another blind student admitted by the university, said, "We're pioneers, and if we do well in college, more blind people will be able to enjoy higher education."

The blind students will attend classes with other students and will be allowed to record lectures. Examinations will be adapted. The university has spent 100,000 yuan (US$1,200) on purchasing teaching and study materials especially designed for the blind.

"We cannot give them special education, but we will give them special care," said Xiang Jiaxiang, vice-president of the university.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2002)