The development of assistive product policies in China from the perspective of the assistive product industry

Abstract

Purpose The aim was to develop targeted and complete policy structure of China’s assistive products, and to provide recommendations for boosting the matching rate of assistive products and driving the benign development of China’s assistive product market. Methods This paper establishes a theoretical framework of the development logic of assistive product policies. Then it adopts the text quantification method to review 81 relevant documents on these policies issued from 1988 to 2019 systematically. Results We found that environmental policy tools account for the largest proportion with regard to policy tool, and can provide a good policy environment; the role of demand-based policy tools in creating market activity and stimulating industrial development needs to be elevated. The policies concerning assistive products industry in China show a rising trend. This paper is centred on the relatively stable theme of policy issuing. Coordination with various ministries can maximize the benefits. In the early period, the targeted policy objectives are put forward for assistive products industry; in the later period, the focus is on the combination with the policies concerning the elderly. Division of labour and proper coordination are required to coordinate type of policies. Conclusion The key to the industrial development lies in promoting the change of consumption concepts, and the difficulty lies in how to coordinate the contradiction interests between product suppliers and demanders through policy intervention. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The relatively disadvantaged position of users of assistive products determines certain public goods attributes of the products, which mean that the operation of the market cannot rely entirely on the price mechanism. That is, non-market mechanisms (especially the administrative mechanism) need to play their roles in the case of a market failure. After more than 30 years of development, assistive product policies in China covered various policy tools such as supply-based, demand-based and environment-based ones, and the assistive product industry has developed significantly. However, the recipients of assistive products are mainly among disadvantaged groups such as persons with disabilities and the elderly. The products have social welfare attributes. The policies involve profound changes in economic conditions, industrial models and institutional mechanisms. The key to the industrial development lies in promoting the change of consumption concepts, and the difficulty lies in how to coordinate the contradiction in interests between product suppliers and demanders through policy intervention at this stage. This paper systematically analyzes the development logic and practice of China’s industry policies of assistive products and put forward suggestions that more attention of policies can be paid to the demand side and develop a demand-pull model, the consumption of universal products can be encouraged and guided by policies, and attempts in policies can be made to guide the consumption concept of assistive products.