Based on field work in a sanatorium and a rehabilitation village for people with paraplegia，this paper focuses on changes of institutions for persons with disabilities in the context of social transformation in China.Tracing the history，this paper argues that the rationale behind the establishment of sanatorium in China is to guarantee the lowest level of social security，which is different from that in western society.Unit system plays an important role in supporting people with paraplegia，for it provides the individuals with not only social welfare but also their social identities.With the economic and social development，it is natural that people with paraplegia start to pursue independent living and normalization of their everyday lives.However，the governments still responsible to ensure that the social security system meet the actual needs of people with disabilities.