i agree with most of the comments here, isn't this article already a proof?? "Some" physically disabled are isolated.. I think they're just trying to be considerate and should not be of ill-willed (I mean why would the Chinese do that if they're trying to put up a good image for the Olympics right?)

kelly, philadelphia, usa

We already know the mainland Chinese have little regard for food safety or environmentalism; social consciousness isn't one of their traits. So why should we expect a decent attitude from them, towards those with disabilities?

Edward Arnold, Boulder, CO, USA

The Chinese are hard towards minorities because many of them have had very hard lives, and as a country they have gone through generations of upheaval.

What excuse some of the people from the Western world who have put comments that agree with the guide have got, I don't know!

Elizabeth Guasp, Loughborough, UK

Teng Feng , from Lianjiang, China said :"we don't have prejudice against blacks like American just because we don't have black people in China." I've lived in China for 6 years, and all my black friends here have been subject to Chinese racism, and its nothing compared to what the Uighur deal with

Stephan Larose, Kelowna, Canada

I don't know which is worse: the fact that this guide exists or the comments on this article. I just have to sit back and shake my head and wonder how all of you who think separating the disabled from able bodied society will feel when you are forced to deal with disability intimately.

Liesl, Dallas, USA

as a disabled person I laughed out loud when I read the Chinese comments. However my laughter faded when I read the reactions in the 'have your say' part.
the 'chips on shoulders' remark is something that gets said to every minority group that defends itself. remember disability can visit everyone

Terry, Liverpool, UK

Its a bit calling the kettle black isnt it? Attitudes towards people in this counrty arent any better even though they pretend to be? There is a lot of hypocracy here maybe the chinese are just being honest and trying to help

Dave, skipton, north yorkshire

“Sometimes they are overly protective of themselves, especially when they are called crippled or paralysed. Do not use ‘cripple’ or ‘lame’ even if you are just joking.”

Is an accurate depiction. In fact, aren't we all taught at school to be senistive to this fact. Isn't that what PC is about?

Bene, Australia,

So the Chinese made a mistake. At least they're challenging attitudes prevalent in comments here, that all disabled people are the same with chips on their shoulder.

"Special treatment" is just "regional adjustment" to enable disabled people to take part in society just as anybody else.

Doug Paulley, Wetherby, UK

So the Chinese made a mistake. At least they're challenging attitudes prevalent in comments here, that all disabled people are the same with chips on their shoulder.

"Special treatment" is just "regional adjustment" to enable disabled people to take part in society just as anybody else.

Doug Paulley, Wetherby, UK

Call me jaded, but doesn't their "outrage" kinda prove the point?

kris, phoenix, US

E;Bee of France.

I, too, call a spade a spade.

I'm not particularly outspoken, I'd just find it confusing if I used any other term.

Adam, London,

Getting rid of this problem means not only the transformation of policies, but also the transformation of the attitudes from the people with disabilities. Many countries are facing this problems,we don't have prejudice against blacks like American just because we don't have black people in China

Teng Feng , Lianjiang, China

I wonder how many Chinese people have been disabled by the recent earthquake.

Peggy Watts, London,

Can't see what all the fuss is about. Would it not be fair to say that 'Some' able bodied people can be introverted and 'Sometimes' they are protective of themselves? Why the anger when describing 'some' disabled people in this way, 'sometimes'…

Irlan Pedigree, Manchester, UK

Please don't take offence. The whole thing was poorly translated into English, therefore seems abrupt and inadequant, to say the least. However, its more likely of a language problem than ill intentions.
I am very sorry for any hurtful feelings this may have caused.

Dandan Zhou, London, UK

May I ask David West of Reading if he has any experience of life as it is lived from a wheelchair?
If he has not, then he does not know what he is talking about.
charon

charon, axminster, england

The Chinese have not yet caught up with PC speech codes. Having worked with disabled people, it is sad, but a reality that many disabled people think that their disability is somehow someone else's fault, and therefore it is their right to rudely demand special treatment..

SimonP, Hull, UK

All these pokes at disability rather reveals the age group of the readership here. My parents have vocal 1950s views and expressions as well, but when they met my chair bound father in-law for the first time, a person their own age, they went very quiet.

Colin, Carmarthen, Wales

I use a cane. I am not disabled, or ambulatory challenged. I am lame. I even call myself crippled. I cannot hop, skip or jump and strange as it seems I don't have a chip on my shoulder. I find the modern PC terms offensive.

Nona, New York City, USA

As someone in a wheelchair, at least they are taking steps to educate. There would be more outrage if athletes were treated badly when they arrive in China. As for comments about 'political correctness', try jumping in a wheelchair (i will lend you mine!) people like David West (above) have no idea!

Toby Spanton, London, UK

James -China---right you are....I'm blonde, and my girl friend says the same thing....well,sort of......

Mr Tim, san marcos, U S of A

I suggest reading the full text at

http://en.beijing2008.cn/upload/readerupdate/6.pdf

This is fairly common sense and on ly the very sensitive can possibly take offense. Overall it is written to help Chinese volunteers make disabled people feel comfortable and to have a good impression.

Joe, Edinburgh, Scotland

I agree, and I call a spade a spade also.....the whole problem, specially here in France is that one has to wrap things up so that they look politically correct. As one of our brilliant comics once said, I'm normal, I'm white and you can't even imagine what racist comments I get every day in France

E; Bee, Toulouse, France

Just maybe we can learn to accept that the Chinese authors have made many clear and incisive points. If anyone in the BBC suggested that the Chinese view might be right they would expect to be be fired.
Their conclusions reflect my personal experience.

Patrick Brown, London, Europe

This is beginning to sound like the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The Nazi Olympic officials were instructed not to snigger and sneer at disability in order to keep up some veneer of respectability. Nationalistic enthusiams lead inevitably to embarrassing attitudes. I shall not be going to this games.

Colin, Cambridge, U.K.

The outrage proves the "defensive" statement at least. Anyway it is simple straightforward advice that, if used in the uk, would spark a spate of useless, expensive litigation. The PC culture has gone mad you can't say anything anymore without being accused. The advice seems plain simple and useful.

John Morgan, Old Stratford, United Kingdom

Seems about right to me. What's the Mandarin for 'chip on shoulder'?

dan, London,

Wonderfully accurate article that has reflects the reallity of of my experience of meeting all sorts of disabled people. Well done PC hasnt misled China yet.

andy, London,

Sometimes they are overly protective of themselves

“special group”

unique personalities and ways of thinking

are isolated, unsocial, and introspective. They can be stubborn and controlling . . defensive and have a strong sense of inferiority.

They are just describing there Government

Dan, London, England

I can't believe some people actually think this is a good thing. Sometimes 'PC' is actually for the best. Plenty of non-disabled people also display these attributes. Disabled people have enough to worry about without this. David West seems to have no real idea what it's like to be in this position.

Kat, Dundee,

I, too, am tired of pussyfooting around the diabled and making allowances for them and pandering to their incapacties just as I am about ethnic minorities. i etirely supporthe Chinese Olympic Commitee on this issue.

Jack, Perth, Australia

Sad to say that, having worked for a disability charity for 5 years, the comments are pretty accurate.

Some disabled people can be very rude, demanding and "prickly" and detest the able bodied.

Whilst one doesnt want them to beg for help they should be polite to people when it is offered.

Geoff M, London, England

I'll bet the Chinese don't have a tannoy bellowing every stop to them on the tube and bus, traffic lights with 100 decibel bleeps, defaced building frontages (as the disabled consider it demeaning to use a ramp at the back door), and the threat to remove stiles from the countryside.

SallyR, London, UK

Part of this article is just bad translation. The majority of Chinese are no more racist than all of our grandads, and compare the attitude towards disabled people with the UK: When I was little (80s) disabled people where all in special schools and people were very prejudiced.

Phil Wareham, York, UK

"forced sterilisations, bans on marriages between disabled people and abortions of abnormal foetuses."
And the difference is?

SallyR, London, UK

The Chinese guide instructs volunteers not to stare at a disabled person's disability or to use the words "lame" or "cripple" ... whats so bad about that? Would they rather the Chinese did refer to them as "cripples"?

Pete, Cov,

It's clumsy, but it confronts directly the kind of things people actually think and do around disabled people and tells them why they shouldn't.

What's wrong with that?

Camilla, Burnley,

From Advice to Olympic volunteers:
"Tend to react with outrage to official guides for assistants."

Peter, London,

I agree with all these comments, China is a different country with a different culture, at least China is making an effort in recognising that there are disabled people out there and attempting to spread awareness. its a pretty big step and more of it should be encouraged not slated by Western media

chloe, leeds,

I have lived in China for some years - all that time as a wheelchair user. I have always found the people to be friendly, kind and considerate, in fact, almost too eager to be helpful.
Confrontational responses will not work here, mutual respect works best. Strident demands are thought offensive.

Mark, Shenzhen,

Fantastic ! The voice of truth for once without a PC spin.

Does it go on to mention chips on shoulders and feeling that the world owes them a living and should be configured for them whatever the cost and hang everybody else ?

David West, Reading, UK

Yes, it's a different culture, but that doesn't make it right. James: You sound like you're in the (PC) 'Honeymoon' stage of culture shock. You'll learn.
I speak and understand Chinese - including the local dialect - so this report doesn't surprise me, in the least.

Nick, Wuhan, China

Clear and concise guide. No political correctness. No humbug. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Wombat, Brisbane , Australia

All of these are just due to the difference of cultures. Our Chinese are nice people, just because we are so nice and care so much, that we even took others' feelingsinto account. So we don't want to hurt anyone, including their feelings. We just want to be a perfect host, offerring flawless service

Ting, Taiyuan, China

"its a diferent culture

James, Shanghai, China"

Incorrect post-modern relativism that's logic if followed in every culture would lead to social development worldwide grinding to a shuddering halt. We shouldn't preach to each other but we can suggest.

DW, Beijing, China

So instead of tip toeing around 'the problem', they are giving out practical and clear advice, not wrapped up in superfluous wording.

Their words may hurt...but it is also relevant, and far more preferable to adding layer upon layer of complexity just so people won't get offended.

Howard, Manchester,

Maybe the Chinese have not been indoctrinated in Political Correctness and call a spade a spade...?

Dont take offence, my girlfriend is blonde and gets stared at all the time.

China and the Chinese? Great place and great people. Stop being "Outraged" with China... its a diferent culture

James, Shanghai, China

Here's an idea - hold a mass protest against it in Tiananmen Square!

Rich, Perth, Australia

If the IOC had done some research into China and the Chinese before awarding them the Olympics, they would have discovered that mainland Chinese are (generally) racist and nationalistic and usually regard the disabled as "a race apart". PC culture denies facts yet again.

MarkChina, Beijing,

agree 100% with the guide. The defensive,sensitive and protective attitude being voiced by disabled groups is proof of the pudding

tim, greenwich, usa