On the afternoon of August 21, a total of 71 journalists from 58 countries, including Nepal, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Brazil, and Algeria, were invited to visit the Beijing Demonstration Service Center for Persons with Disabilities (Hui Ai Building) to witness Beijing's achievements in developing programs for the disabled.

Sunlight filtered through the "Tree of Life", illuminating the hall on the first floor of the center with starry circles of light. Foreign journalists were present in the hall to receive an introduction to the center, watch a promotional video, and learn about the services provided for disabled people in Beijing.

Learning about services provided for disabled people

The center features a specially designed spiral corridor called the "Hui Ai Corridor" that is accessible to both wheelchair users and visually impaired people, allowing them to easily reach the second floor. The corridor showcases various handicrafts, including oil paintings, fabric art, paper quilling, and carvings. The journalists were amazed by the exquisite works on display and noted that it would have been hard to imagine that they were created by individuals with disabilities had they not visited this location.

Walking along the "Hui Ai Corridor"

The Hui Ai Corridor is just one example of the numerous accessible facilities available throughout the center, ranging from crash rails and handrails to tactile pavings and accessible navigation. Medardo Alfaro, Director of La Paz Times Televisión Digital in El Salvador, praised the center’s scientific and user-friendly design, which allows people with disabilities to enjoy themselves here and lead a dignified life. Meriem, Director of Al Aoula TV in Morocco, emphasized the significance of the center’s diverse accessible facilities, which enable persons with disabilities to live and work as conveniently as able-bodied individuals."

Taking photos of accessible technology products

Upon seeing the refreshing products showcased in the high-tech accessibility exhibition area, such as the smart hat for visually impaired people, the virtual sign language broadcaster system, and the accessible AR glasses by LLVISION, journalists eagerly requested further details and began their interviews and shootings. "The virtual sign language broadcaster system really impressed me. This is the first time I have seen such a product that allows deaf people to communicate in more ways than ever before," remarked Juliano, a reporter from Brazil's Rider TV. "I believe that Brazil should strengthen its cooperation with China in services for people with disabilities and introduce such high-tech products from China."

Learning about rehabilitation training

In addition to providing accessible facilities and equipment, the center also offers professional rehabilitation training and various employment skills training to help people with disabilities integrate into society. During the rehabilitation training session, the journalists were not only introduced to programs such as independent living skills training and therapy for children with disabilities through art, but also greeted by autistic children who were attending classes. These real-life examples of helping people with disabilities live independently and reintegrate into society deeply moved the journalists. Mohammed, a reporter for Iraq's Times TV, stated, "The disabled people here receive rehabilitation both physically and psychologically, which facilitates their successful reintegration into society. This practice is worth learning from." Lana, editor of the Jordan News Agency, expressed her appreciation for the excellent training provided at the center and hoped to report on these positive experiences and practices in Jordan.

Shooting the art training program

Shooting the baking course

"Beijing is a city that is friendly to people with disabilities and we are impressed by its concrete efforts to help disabled people," said Jason, a Costa Rican journalist.

The visit to the center was co-organized by the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office and the Beijing Disabled Persons' Federation. It was a part of the 3rd “Beijing - A Global City” Short Video Contest, where journalists were invited to identify, capture, and showcase elements that represent Beijing as a global city.

Further reading

Located in Fengtai District, the Beijing Demonstration Center of Service for Persons with Disabilities (hereinafter referred to as "the center") is multi-functional facility that demonstrates specialized services for disabled people, incubates and promotes projects that provide services for persons with disabilities, and offers practical training and guidance for disabled people seeking jobs. As the largest provincial-level integrated service facility for persons with disabilities in China, the center serves as a model for creating a high-standard accessible environment and is an important showcase for services provided to disabled people in the capital.

Hui Ai Building, symbolizing "embarking on a new journey"