Across China: Barrier-free Beijing bookstore enables equal right to read

Xinhua

Across China: Barrier-free Beijing bookstore enables equal right to read

23rd April 2021

Liu Daming frequents a bookstore beside the second ring road in east downtown Beijing, often spending all day in the establishment. What attracts him is not only its extensive collections but also the convenient accessibility facilities.

"There is no accessible restroom in my office building in Zhongguancun, but there is one next to the bookstore," Liu said.

Shanyuan Book Chamber is a bookstore built according to barrier-free standards in the Galaxy SOHO complex in Beijing.

The bookstore has a collection of works written by renowned disabled people from around the world, including Zhang Haidi, Shi Tiesheng and Helen Keller, to name a few. On the shelves, selected historical and cultural books, as well as children's illustrated books, can be found.

"Our bookstore is committed to spreading love and care to a wide range of people, and we hope everyone can have a delightful experience here," said Zhang Zhihao, manager of the bookstore.

On March 18, Liu made a speech sharing his life experience and put his book "Beyond Destiny" on sale at the bookstore's opening ceremony.

Friday marks the annual "World Reading Day," and to celebrate the occasion, Zhang Danuo, who has supported the disabled in publishing books and guided Liu in writing, delivered a speech on "paying tribute to life" in the bookstore and shared his stories of caring for the vulnerable.

"In this age when electronic reading materials are popular, bookstores still have their significance and are even more indispensable to the disabled," said Zhang.

https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/268933057/across-china-barrier-free-beijing-bookstore-enables-equal-right-to-read