Here's a new policy "design statement" that I hope every country in the world adds to their wardrobe this Fall -- monthly Barrier-Free Days. Maybe we ought to coordinate it so that the wave of inclusion flows from China all the way around the world at a pace that allows for Barrier-Free World Travel.
Imagine, start in China on the 16th of the month. Swing through Southeast and into South Asia on the 17th through the 24th as various countries strut their national inclusivities. End the month on an upswing through Africa into Europe as Barrier-Free Days ripple across the calendar and across borders. Start the next month hopping from Barrier-Free Day to Barrier-Free Day on a path back to China. Create a new Barrier-Free Silk Road and go around the world in 30 days!
The Beijing government has decided to make every 16th of the month the “barrier-free” day from this August. A special theme will be set for every 16th of a month. August 16th is hotel barrier-free day, September 16th the hospital barrier-free day, October 16th the transportation barrier-free day, November 16th the scenic spots barrier-free day, December 16th the supermarket barrier-free day.The themes and main activities of the barrier-free day in 2008 will be scheduled according to the working task and the preparation for the Olympic Games.
The programme of the barrier-free day targets barrier-free facilities in hotels, hospitals and the capital airport which have signed the contract with the committees of the Olympics and Paralympics; the barrier-free facilities of public serving like roads, banks, post offices and other facilities around the Olympic gyms; barrier-free facilities of the streets, subways, flyovers and other transportation equipments; barrier-free facilities of the scenic sites like the Forbidden City, the Great Wall; barrier-free facilities in the shopping malls and other supermarkets, libraries, museums, banks and so on.
Posted by rollingrains at August 22, 2007 06:42 PM