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)