Excellence in accessibility to leave lasting legacy

The National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing is quickly adapted to the needs of Winter Paralympic Games participants following the completion of the Winter Olympics late last month. Organizers say the barrier-free facilities at these venues will continue to benefit persons with disabilities well beyond the Games. [Photo/Xinhua]

The barrier-free facilities provided at the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games will have a lasting legacy in the host cities and further help serve persons with disabilities in the future.

According to Yang Qiyong, general manager of the National Aquatics Centre, barrier-free seats at the venue have been increased for the Paralympics, and those seats will continue to be used for spectators with disabilities and others with such needs after the Games.

The iconic venue, aka the Water Cube, was transformed into the "Ice Cube" to host the curling and wheelchair curling competitions at Beijing 2022. Yang said the changes to the venues will remain in place after the Games, so that swimming and wheelchair curling events can be held in the future.

"Accessibility at the Paralympic Games is a wonderful legacy. It not only benefits persons with disabilities but also persons without disabilities," said Craig Spence, the IPC's chief brand and communications officer.

"What's really exciting about the work here in Beijing is it's building on the legacy of the 2008 Games.

"The Paralympic Games in 2008 and the Paralympic Winter Games in 2022 are really acting as this tremendous catalyst for improving accessibility in this country, and that can only be a real positive."