BEIJING: The Beijing Disabled Persons’ Federation said Thursday that the rectification of barrier-free facilities in the city will be largely completed by the end of the year.
A survey of the city’s barrier-free facilities was launched in November. Problems of damaged or idle facilities as well as lack of facilities will be mostly rectified, the federation said.
According to an action plan on the promotion of barrier-free facilities released by the municipal government, public service places should be equipped with barrier-free passages, slopes at entrances and exits, and barrier-free elevators and toilets.
Wheelchair seats should be set up in theaters and other recreational and sports places, where location maps and clear signs of barrier-free facilities should be erected. Theaters are also encouraged to provide listening facilities for the visually impaired.
The city has compiled a guidebook on standard graphics of barrier-free facilities according to the national standards for accessibility and the guidelines for the construction of accessible infrastructure for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The federation said next year’s campaign will focus on solving the problems of inadequate barrier-free facilities and promoting the construction of a long-term management mechanism, so as to significantly improve the city’s barrier-free environment. – Agencies
