China Accessible Travel, a new project launched by the China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities (CASPD) and China Travel Service Head Office (CTS), provides travel services for the slow walkers, people with reduced mobility , and visually or hearing impaired tourists and their companions. In cities such as Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and Guilin, the recommended accessible attractions, accommodations and restaurants, have been inspected and graded according to their assessment criteria.

CTS runs and offers accessible means of transport; vans and coaches equipped with ramps or lifts for wheelchair users. Professional foreign language speaking tour guides, well-trained personal-care assistants accompany those requiring these services throughout the travel. Sign language interpreters trained by the China Disabled Peoples Federation would accompany those with hearing difficulties as for wheelchair users, slow walkers and the blind, a one to one travel guide/volunteer is available. These personal care assistants /volunteers help to get on/off vehicles, get over barriers etc. and will accompany wheelchair users from leaving of hotel rooms in the morning to their return to the hotel rooms at night. Further, certified nurses are also available when needed and requested.

Their website, in which several different tours (tour services including airport transfers to arrivals and departures) are displayed, is available in English www.imabled.com. Booking forms feature a questionnaire through which all your special needs and requirements should be stated. There are two forms: a form for individual tourists and another one for groups. http://www.imabled.com/travel/en/tour_yd.htm

http://www.imabled.com/travel/en/tour_group.htm (groups)

Recommended hotels have been inspected and have been carefully assessed to ensure their accessibility and suitability for travellers special needs. Currently recommended hotels are Swissotel Beijing and Hong Kong Macau Center, though Super 8 Hotels and Home Inns will carry upgrading accessibility works in order to remodel rooms for PRM.

Thanks to an accessibility project which is being carried, over 60 tourist attractions in Beijing are intended to provide accessible facilities for wheelchair users and PMR before the Olympic Games take place. The Summer Palace and the Forbidden City have been already equipped with ramps and adapted toilets have been installed. Access to the Great Wall in Badaling can be made by means of a ramp.

China Accessible Travel
Special Team
service@imabled.com
www.imabled.com

 

Rebecca Arce