iFLYTEK Honored as "National Advanced Collective for Disability Support" for AI-Powered Empowerment

The 7th National Conference Commending Self-Reliance Models and Outstanding Contributors to Disability Support was held in Beijing on May 16th. During the event, 200 individuals were awarded as "National Self-Reliance Models," 200 collectives as "National Advanced Collectives for Disability Support," and 60 individuals as "National Advanced Individuals for Disability Support." Among the honorees, iFLYTEK was distinguished as a "National Advanced Collective for Disability Support" for its exceptional contributions to technology-assisted disability support.

iFLYTEK actively drives the development and industrial implementation of fundamental AI core technologies. Upholding the vision of 'imbuing technology with human warmth and making AI touch hearts,' the company has forged a distinctive path in technology-assisted disability support. Dedicated to leveraging artificial intelligence, iFLYTEK works to create a better world for people with disabilities - one that demonstrates 'with AI comes greater love and compassion.'

AI as Eyes: Enabling the Visually Impaired to Experience the Digital World 

"Let AI be the guiding light that helps the visually impaired navigate the digital world." This was the heartfelt aspiration shared by visually impaired programmer Li Liancai during his participation in the Spark S Program—iFLYTEK's Spark Intelligent Agent Challenge held in April.

Launched by the iFLYTEK Open Platform, the Spark Intelligent Agent Challenge invites developers worldwide to create powerful AI agents using the Spark Agent development platform, designing specialized assistants tailored to real-life needs. Among numerous impressive submissions, the three intelligent agents developed by Li Liancai—specifically designed for the visually impaired—stood out for their innovation and practical value. As a visually impaired programmer, Li Liancai has an intimate understanding of the community's needs. "For us, screen reading software is our gateway to the internet," he explained.

During iFLYTEK's Spark Intelligent Agent Challenge, Li Liancai developed three groundbreaking AI agents specifically designed to meet the practical needs of the visually impaired community. The first agent, named "Accessibility Advisor," tackles a critical digital barrier - many websites remain incompatible with screen readers, while CAPTCHA systems relying on visual verification often lock out visually impaired users entirely. This intelligent solution serves as a vital bridge between users and developers, facilitating communication to enhance digital accessibility.

Li's journey to becoming a programmer followed nearly a decade as a massage therapist. This firsthand experience exposed him to industry gaps - many blind practitioners lacked comprehensive professional knowledge and proper rehabilitation training. His solution became the second agent, "TCM Massage Consultant," which harnesses AI to provide patients with self-care guidance while helping visually impaired professionals develop their therapeutic skills.

The third creation, "Mentor Assistant for the Blind," stems from Li's personal experience. After suddenly losing his vision in middle school and being forced to leave school, he endured the profound transition from sight to darkness. "For late-blind individuals, sudden vision loss presents overwhelming challenges," he explained. This comprehensive agent combines psychological support with practical training in screen reader operation and Braille literacy, empowering users to regain independence.

"The Spark Intelligent Agent Challenge provides a platform where developers from diverse backgrounds can unleash their creativity," Li reflected. "What makes these solutions special is their blend of social impact and human-centered design - it's this warmth behind the technology that truly defines AI's value."

Li Liancai's inspiring journey represents just one of many success stories emerging from iFLYTEK's commitment to disability support through its open platform ecosystem. As of May 18th, 2025, the iFLYTEK Open Platform has become a thriving hub for innovation, attracting over 8.514 million developers who have leveraged its 809 AI capabilities to create an impressive 3.32 million applications.

This robust foundation enabled the launch of iFLYTEK's transformative "Three Voices of Hope" initiative, a public welfare program that has made remarkable strides in digital inclusion. The initiative has mobilized 33,000 mission-driven developers to build 38,000 specialized applications, currently serving more than 14.04 million individuals with visual or hearing impairments through 50 million daily interactions. Building on this momentum, iFLYTEK partnered with the China Disabled Persons' Federation in 2024 to host the inaugural AI-powered Disability Support Innovation Competition. The event sparked creative solutions from socially-conscious tech teams, empowering people with disabilities to pursue entrepreneurship and personal growth.

AI as a Tool: Solving Daily Challenges for People with Disabilities

At the heart of iFLYTEK's mission lies a simple yet powerful principle: "We build smoother paths for those who walk at a different pace." This philosophy encapsulates iFLYTEK's vision of technology for social good, and represents exactly what the company has been putting into practice.

In 2019, recognizing the urgent needs of China's disability population, iFLYTEK joined forces with the China Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe to launch the "Hearing AI's Voice" initiative. The program's flagship products like Deepting have provided over 200 million minutes of free speech-to-text services, breaking down communication barriers for the hearing-impaired.

The company's comprehensive accessibility solutions portfolio includes innovative products like smart behind-the-ear hearing aids, offline captioning assistive listening devices, and transparent AI communication screens - all designed to enable barrier-free communication for the hearing impaired. iFLYTEK's commitment extends to education through partnerships with more than 80 special education schools nationwide, where its technologies help hearing-impaired students access visual alternatives to auditory content, revolutionizing both the quality and delivery of special education.

Marking a new chapter in inclusive innovation, iFLYTEK strengthened its collaboration with the China Disabled Persons' Federation in May 2024 through a strategic agreement to establish the Joint Laboratory for Universal AI in Disability Support. This initiative aims to accelerate the integration of cutting-edge technology with disability support services while expanding AI's transformative potential across new application scenarios.

AI as a Beacon: Lighting the Way to an Inclusive Future

The collaboration between the China Disabled Persons' Federation and iFLYTEK's Joint Laboratory for Universal AI in Disability Support extends far beyond ecosystem empowerment, technological R&D, and product innovation. Since its establishment in 2024, the laboratory has partnered with regional disability organizations to deliver educational initiatives and public welfare training programs. Moving forward, iFLYTEK will use its AI large language models as the foundation to develop customized solutions for people with disabilities, creating specialized AI modules and applications for various specific domains. This initiative will scale up disability support capacity tenfold or even a hundredfold, ensuring every person in need can access the support they require.

From Li Liancai's personal breakthrough to the nationwide deployment of disability support solutions, iFLYTEK demonstrates how technological innovation, when infused with human compassion, can build a truly inclusive society. The company's work proves that inclusion isn't just an ideal - it's an achievable reality being constructed through concrete actions and cutting-edge solutions. As this technological revolution continues, the light of innovation will keep spreading, reaching and transforming lives in every community where barriers still exist.