(BEIJING, Feb. 17) -- The Beijing Municipality and organizers of the Beijing 2008 Olympiad have paid more attention to the construction of barrier-free facilities for the disabled.

   In its guidelines for the planning of construction and renovation of barrier-free facilities, the municipal government requests that priority be given to supplementing aforementioned facilities to buildings specially built for the old, women, children and the disabled.

   At the same time, daily-life facilities, cultural institutions and public media are advised to provide deaf-mutes and the blind with means for information and communication.

   The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) last year set up the Department of Paralympic Games in an effort to better prepare for the event to be held right after the 2008 Olympic Games.

   According to BOCOG, the competition venues and adjacent areas, major scenic spots and transport hubs are among the key projects where construction and renovation of barrier-free facilities are targeted.

   At the moment, some 20 major tourist spots in Beijing have installed convenient facilities. At the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Fragrant Hills Park, to name a few, tourists enjoy such services as foreign language guides, earphone guiding and banking card.

   In Beijing, the special passageway for the disabled has been built at most of the foot-bridges and shopping centers, and many public toilets have had special closet for the disabled.