Some of China's disabled were able to live a little more freely Thursday thanks to a group of Beijing Olympic volunteers.
About 60 people with disabilities enjoyed the sunshine and beautiful scenery at the barrier-free Summer Palace in China's capital.
The event was organized in light of National Help-the-Disabled Day, which falls this year on May 18.
"Before this summer's Paralympic Games kicks off, nine Beijing parks will be transformed into barrier-free parks," said Zhao Wenzhi, an official with the Beijing Olympic organizing committee (BOCOG). "On May 18, the National Help-the-disabled Day, the Forbidden City, will become a barrier-free park."
Sitting in her wheelchair and gazing out over the glittering surface of the Kunming Lake, 50-year-old Zhao Lihua was unable to control her excitement: "The last time I came here was in the 1980s, when I was still a little girl. It's so convenient for me to visit Summer Palace now without any steps!"
The Summer Palace first began establishing obstacle-free facilities in the 1990s, according to Kan Yue, director of the Summer Palace.
"Besides barrier-free facilities like slope passages, we also rebuild toilets, shops and restaurants for the convenience of disabled people," said Kan. "They can enjoy a barrier-free walk in our main scenic and tourist areas."
Some volunteers at Summer Palace found the experience helped them gain a better understanding of the disabled.
"Although, I just met these disabled friends this morning, I deeply feel that they long for making friends with us and living a better life," said Song Zisheng, a volunteer from Beijing University of Chemical Technology.
