In anticipation of the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games, the Wenzhou rail transit system and the Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center have introduced an array of accessibility services for people with disabilities.
Chengcheng, a ninth-grade student, recently explored these accessibility features. Acknowledging the convenience of accessible transportation, she was satisfied by the immersive experience.
The experience began at Yongxing station of Line S2. The station entrance featured well-maintained tactile pavement and a spacious wheelchair ramp. On one side of the ramp, handrails and guardrails were designed for visitors, with prominent green signs on the ground indicating priority should be given to those in need.
Inside the elevator, small raised dots were embossed beneath each button, allowing people to identify button labels through touch. Tactile markers and clear signage along the pathway give every passenger a smooth experience.
Transferring to Line S1 bound for the Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center, Chengcheng boarded a shuttle bus with Asian Games slogans and mascots pasted to the windows and doors.
All 18 stations along Line S1 have been equipped with various accessibility features, including accessible elevators and restrooms, wheelchair ramps, bridge plates, and backup wheelchairs. Furthermore, staff can be reserved through the hotline or transit company's official WeChat account, who will guide passengers with mobility difficulties through the entire transit process.
At the Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center, where parking spaces were designed to facilitate passengers, Chengcheng ascended to the second-floor viewing area through a similar accessible elevator. Ten accessible viewing areas, with protective barriers and a total of 100 seats, stood ready to accommodate spectators. Volunteers, information booths and wheelchair services have been set up to ensure immediate assistance.
The efforts to create an inclusive environment will continue in Wenzhou in the future to optimize its accessibility infrastructure in various forms, all to create an obstacle-free social environment.
