People visit the National Barrier-Free Environment Exhibition Hall in Beijing, on Aug 28, 2024. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/chinadaily.com.cn]

Aug. 29, 2024 -- The National Barrier-Free Environment Exhibition Hall, showcasing the widespread adoption of accessible designs across society, including aboard high-speed trains and at banks, opened in Beijing on Wednesday.

After two years of preparation, it was unveiled to the public at the Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall just ahead of the anniversary of the China Accessibility Construction Law taking effect on Sept 1.

The China Association of Volunteers for Persons with Disabilities and Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall jointly launched the hall as a platform for patriotic education. The exhibition is also expected to raise public awareness about accessibility and demonstrate and promote relevant technologies.

To mark the country's legal milestone on June 28 last year when the China Accessibility Construction Law was enacted by the top legislature, the flag raised in Tian'anmen Square that day was put on display at the new hall.

Photo taken on Aug 28, 2024 shows a life-sized model of China's latest Fuxing high-speed train carriage at the exhibition. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/chinadaily.com.cn]

A highlight of the exhibition is a life-sized model of China's latest Fuxing high-speed train carriage. This model demonstrates accessible features designed for wheelchair users, including a larger space to park wheelchairs, secure belts to prevent rolling, and a wheelchair-accessible restroom equipped with a wash basin featuring ample knee space.

The exhibition also emphasizes the financial industry's commitment to accessibility, displaying low-level service counters designed to meet the needs of wheelchair users.

A wheelchair user volunteers to explain the barrier-free symbols to visitors on Aug 28, 2024. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/chinadaily.com.cn]

Sun Xiaoyang, a wheelchair user who volunteered to help out at the hall on its inauguration day, said many self-service teller machines used to be positioned at a height that was inconvenient for wheelchair users.

"The screen would be very high and tilted upward at a 45-degree angle, which makde it impossible for wheelchair users to read the screen," he said, adding an adjustable camera on the machine makes it easier for facial recognition while seated in a wheelchair.

Lyu Shiming, president of the China Association of Volunteers for Persons with Disabilities, experiences the accessible ATM machine at the exhibition on Aug 28, 2024. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/chindaily.com.cn]

Lyu Shiming, president of the China Association of Volunteers for Persons with Disabilities, said the exhibition's curation solicited opinions from several organizations, including disabled groups and older people, and they were also involved in the testing of the Braille signs and other accessible arrangements before the hall opened to public.