The Beijing Paralympic Games' fencing Hall
© AFP Frederic J. Brown

BEIJING (AFP) - The situation highlights the struggles faced by the one million disabled people in the Chinese capital, where government programmes offer support but discrimination and the chaotic nature of the city mean daily hardship.

In one striking example, many of Beijing's physically handicapped own specially outfitted motorbikes but some of them told AFP their three-wheelers were banned from entering the Olympic Green where most events will take place.

"Even if I wanted to go watch the Games, they would never let me drive my three-wheeler on to the Olympic Green," said Yu Fuye, 67, who has been paralysed below the waist since he was three years old.

However echoing other disabled three-wheeler drivers who also said they had no way of getting to the Games, the heavy-set and graying Yu remained enthusiastic about the Paralympics, which begin on Saturday.

"It doesn't matter, I can watch on television. I will watch every event where China has a chance to win a gold medal."

Beijing, like the rest of China, has long proved a nightmare for disabled people who want to get around independently.

Footpaths, street intersections and footbridges have had virtually nothing to help the blind or wheelchair-bound, guide dogs have been banned on buses and access to trains has been extremely difficult.

Since winning the rights to host the Olympic Games in 2001, authorities in Beijing have sought to change all that, but problems remain.

Athletes follow the shot in Beijing
© AFP Frederic J Brown

Authorities have installed grooved paving stones on many footpaths for blind people to use as walking guides. But in many areas the guide stones are useless because cars are allowed to park on the footpaths.

Meanwhile, pedestrian crossings do not have the sound systems that tell blind people when the lights change and are common in many developed countries.

Ahead of the Paralympics, the government has also trumpeted the introduction of Beijing's first-ever fleet of taxis with facilities for the disabled.

"I saw reports on the new handicapped taxi cabs, but they only have 70 of them, that is not enough for all of us handicapped people," said Zhao Zhizhong, 48, who was disabled in a car accident eight years ago.

"I'm sure they will be mainly for the athletes."

One of the big projects has been to allow wheelchair access to the capital's public transport network, however a range of disabled people AFP spoke with said they did not think they could yet travel on the trains.

Athletes training for the Paralympic Games ride past the National Stadium
© AFP Frederic J. Brown

"I have heard that we can now go on the subway, but I have never tried this, they say you have to phone ahead and they will arrange a person to help you onto the train," said Liu Baokun, 53, who was paralysed with a broken back 20 years ago, as he sat on his three-wheeler.

Guide dogs will also be allowed on buses for the duration of the Paralympics, but there has been no mention of the new regulation being made permanent.

Organisers of the Paralympics have said they are making arrangements for tens of thousands of disabled people to attend the Games, and have made adjustments at venues to allow greater wheelchair access.

Many tickets have also been made ultra-cheap or given away to various community organisations, including the disabled and student groups, across Beijing.

A spokesman for the Games organising committee did not have any comment when asked by AFP about the apparent transport problems to the venues cited by Yu, Liu and others, asking for media inquiries to be faxed through.

©AFP