Shenzhen has never ceased its exploration in theory and practice to build a barrier-free city. Recently, the city once again had a deeper discussion on 「accessibility」 on the 29th International Day of Persons with Disabilities and Shenzhen Barrier-free Publicity and Promotion Day, which was Thursday.
Under the theme of 「Rebuilding a Better Life,」 a seminar sponsored by the Shenzhen Disabled Persons Federation provided an opportunity for the disabled and citizens to discuss the construction of a barrier-free city and a sustainable world after the COVID-19 pandemic, Shenzhen Economic Daily reported yesterday.
Hou Yisha, secretary of the Party group of the federation, delivered a keynote speech at the seminar. According to Hou, the concept of 「barrier-free」 can not only be understood as 「removing barriers,」 but also the goal of building a harmonious and inclusive city by removing barriers through urban construction.
Shenzhen put forward the goal of building a barrier-free city for the first time in January 2018 and made a strategic plan for a disabled-accessible city. The municipal government also issued an action plan for building a disabled-accessible city in November the same year.
According to Hou, Shenzhen is solidifying the achievements of barrier-free urban construction through legislation. As per the overall plan for a barrier-free urban construction of Shenzhen (2020-2035), the city will build a world-class barrier-free environment and realize the barrier-free integration of the disabled into society by 2035.
Hou said that barrier-free urban construction not only expands the dimension of human civilization, but also changes the rules of social development through the adjustment of urban structures to make society more humanized, fair and benevolent.
It will also develop more special human resources, adjust the direction of social policies, promote a new round of social civilization and enhance the positive energy of the urban community, Hou added.