Will there be nine million wheelchairs in Beijing?
- 21 Feb 06, 12:00 AM
Yes, with only two years to go until the Paralympics are held in Beijing, the city is gearing itself up to be to the athletes.
What are they actually doing? Well, for a start off, they're planning to train at least 1000 people in sign language interpretation, so that "each small to mid-sized shopping mall will have one translator and big malls will have one on each floor". (Um, the article doesn't go into specifics about whether these interpreters will be trained up in all the different sign languages, but let's assume they've thought of that.)
Another 30,000 volunteers are being recruited for the Games themselves, and they're expected to "receive training on physical and mental conditions of the handicapped, sign language and recovery skills". (Not entirely sure where the "recovery skills" bit fits in with thousands of incredibly fit disabled athletes descending on the city, but maybe something's gone astray in the translation.)
Particularly intriguing is the concept of "special tunnels for the handicapped". Because, let's be honest, which of us hasn't yearned for a special tunnel to call our own? (Disappointingly, these are less romantic than they sound: they appear to be a method of crossing roads safely.)
All this plus a crack squad of "seeing eye" dogs, 30,000 metres of modified pavements, and many public toilets becoming more accessible. Ouch trip to Beijing in 2008, anyone?
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Having visited China last year I can confirm that road tunnels are very necessary.