During the Paralympic Games in Beijing next
year?handicapped people may climb the Great Wall by
themselves, as disabled facilities will be provided.
Disabled access will be provided at other tourist attractions
too, all part of the aim to offer a "barrier-free city."
Hong Kong singer and actor
Andy Lau takes part in a performance to mark the one-year countdown
to the 2008 Paralympic Games, last night in Beijing.
"Beijing will have a barrier-free city for participants of the
Paralympic Games," said Tang Xiaoquan, executive vice-president of
the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee (BOCOG) and president of
the Executive Board of the China Disabled Persons' Federation.
"Besides all the competition venues, the city will be accessible
to disabled people, which will be a huge legacy for the people of
Beijing," Tang said yesterday.
She said Beijing has built 781 tracks for the blind, with a
total length of 1,300 km. About 275 barrier-free buses will be put
into use and over 50 subway entrances, including those at Beijing
Railway Station, will have disabled access.
"The Beijing municipal government has invested over 7 million
yuan (US$928,000) to provide better accessibility for severely
disabled people," Tang said.
"Through test events in the time ahead of us we will further
improve the barrier-free environment."
The 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, that will run through
September 6 to 17, is estimated to attract 4,000 athletes from 150
countries or regions, 2,500 coaches and technical officials, plus
4,000 journalists.
In addition to experiencing an accessible host city,
participants will be welcomed by smiling faces.
"Preparing for the Paralympic Games will help get rid of
people's biases against disabled people, which will be another
legacy left by the Games," Tang said.
"Training for all the Olympic and Paralympic volunteers includes
caring for disabled people. Through our efforts, more people will
understand and respect those people with a disability."
The Beijing Paralympic Games will feature 20 sports, with 18
being held in Beijing. The sailing events will be held in Qingdao,
while the equestrian events will be in Hong Kong. For the first
time rowing will be included in the Paralympics.
(China Daily September 7, 2007)
