Barrier-free Chongqing Strives to Forge a More Inclusive City for Disabilities

Chongqing - October 15 marks White Cane Safety Day. "Barrier-free Chongqing," an initiative dedicated to enhancing public services for individuals with disabilities, inaugurated its second urban accessibility public welfare evaluation activity on October 13. Under the theme of Information Accessibility Experience, the event invites public welfare experiencers in Chongqing, along with visually impaired individuals, to jointly partake in a uniquely facilitated movie viewing. 

The call for participants received an enthusiastic response, with nearly 100 individuals stepping forward and 50 experiencers being selected to engage in the event actively. This initiative aims to heighten public awareness and understanding of the disabled community, dissolve prejudices and discrimination, foster harmony and friendship, and contribute to creating a warmer and more civically-minded city dedicated to public welfare.

Effective September 1 this year, the Law on creating a Barrier-free Environment was officially enacted. It mandates governments at all levels and pertinent departments to implement effective measures across various domains, including public services, social governance, cultural education, and scientific and technological innovation. This is to safeguard the information accessibility rights of specialized groups, such as individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and children.

In the morning, ten visually impaired individuals were guided through an experiential journey, starting with exploring the accessible reading facilities in Chongqing Library's dedicated reading room, where they enjoyed a selection from over 10,000 braille or audiobooks available. The journey continued at the Huawei store, where they explored barrier-free mobile phone use; for instance, Huawei's screen-reading feature and voice broadcast function for photography, which verbally messages the user about the content within the camera's view, enhancing everyday convenience for visually impaired individuals. In the afternoon, they were invited to watch a barrier-free film enriched with insights from a professional inclusive film commentator. This activity facilitated dialogues between the sighted and those navigating the "dark," amplifying public understanding and tolerance towards individuals with disabilities. Professional volunteers and staff provided companionship and support throughout the diverse and insightful day.

During the film screening, each participant was given a black eye mask, inviting them to immerse themselves in the authentic experience of "watching" a movie in darkness while listening to a professional host describe the unfolding scenes. Many viewers remarked that navigating an unseen world was intimidating and found it challenging to conceptualize the movie without visual cues. Reflecting on this, they expressed a renewed commitment to fully immerse themselves in the world of the visually impaired in their future endeavors, striving to extend greater support to those with disabilities in our communities.

Aylale Garatayeva, an international trade student at Chongqing University, shared her reflections after the movie: "It was a challenge for me to stay focused due to the myriad of background voices. I found myself drifting into sleep for a moment. Subsequently, it prompted me to ponder - how would it feel if I could not see one day? I'm grateful that I can see the world and its vibrant colors. Moving forward, I'm committed to assisting them (the visually impaired community) in every possible way."

Abdulsalam Yahya Ebrahim, an international student specializing in Drama and Film Studies at Meishi Film Academy of Chongqing University, recently directed a short video documenting the lives of individuals with disabilities. Reflecting on the event, he said, "This activity deeply touched me, as its primary focus was spotlighting these individuals. Their lives are undoubtedly challenging. What can we truly do for them if we don't endeavor to take their difficulties or bring their hardships into the light for all to see? As a photographer and a student of directing, it's my duty to showcase their difficulties to the world."

Famed as a city that boasts stunning mountain landscapes, Chongqing is more than just a scenic city—it's also a model of progressive inclusivity. The city has been steadily improving its barrier-free facilities to ensure accessibility for all. This includes enhancements in rail stations, overpasses, and elevators, complete with easy-to-read signage. But Chongqing's commitment to accessibility doesn't stop there. The city is engaged in ongoing research and dialogue to identify additional areas for improvement. The goal is to create an even smoother experience for individuals with disabilities. In doing so, Chongqing ensures that its natural beauty and opportunities are not just for show—they're genuinely accessible, laying the groundwork for a continuously inclusive future.