New regulations on the construction of facilities for the disabled have been in force for over a month. The measures are designed to promote disability access, information exchanges and community services. Many big cities in China have already made substantial progress in the construction of facilities for the disable in recent years. But there’s still a long way to go to achieve equal access for all.
Xiao Huanyi is fifty-four years old. He’s been blind since birth. He used to be a massage therapist. But he later quit, to stay at home and look after his parents.
Twice a week, he attends a center for blind people in Beijing. To get there, he has to walk to the bus station, take a bus and then transfer to another.
After nearly an hour, Xiao Huanyi reaches the Hongdandan, a public center providing help for the blind. This morning’s activity is movie telling - where films are described for blind people.
Xiao Huanyi says he finds his journey to the center pretty easy.
Xiao Huanyi said, "It’s pretty convenient for me to get here. There’ve been big improvements in disabled facilities in Beijing in recent years. Ramps have been set up on pedestrian bridges and underpasses. "
But Xiao Huanyi says one of the biggest problems is the many cars that park on the sideways. He hopes the traffic authority can tackle the problem.
Li Dawei is the founder of the Hongdandan blind center. He’s devoted himself to helping blind people for more than ten years.
He thinks the new regulations on providing disabled facilities will help raise the social status of people with disabilities.
Li Dawei, Founder, Hongdandan Center said, "Besides enforcement, what’s more important is people’s awareness. The whole of society should increase awareness of responsibilities for the disabled. This is what really matters, to help the disabled have the same resources as others. "
Li Dawei says the construction of many existing disabled facilities is unprofessional. He says construction departments should give more thought as to how they build the facilities.
"Most people think disabled facilities are only for disabled people. But experts point out they can also make life easier for children, sick and old people, and pregnant women. But most importantly, they should only be used by those who really need them.