by Xinhua writers Wang Aihua and Wang Moling
SHANGHAI, June 21 (Xinhua) -- At an open-air music concert, people were sitting around in both camping chairs and wheelchairs. They were singing, listening to music, chatting and drinking, and as night fell, a neon sign reading Pub Handycup lit up with a warm glow.
This idyllic scene, reminiscent of a film setting, actually unfolded in Shanghai. A year ago, this special tavern, thoughtfully designed for people with disabilities, held its opening party in the city center.
Tavern founder, Xia Yujie, watched his friends in wheelchairs effortlessly navigate the venue's accessible facilities freely, placing orders and feeling at ease. "This is the ideal scene I have envisioned for years," he said.
With gentle ramps replacing stairs, round-corner desks, a Braille map of the tavern layout, a whiteboard with sign language diagrams, and ample moving space, this 30-square-meter tavern is a pioneer in China.
Since its inception last May, the pub has transformed into a happy haven for people with various disabilities, as well as those without. Here, they can indulge in drinks and unwind. The pub offers around 10 types of craft beer daily, with irregular replacements to keep things fresh. They can also participate in diverse barrier-free activities such as Braille workshops, book clubs and photography exhibitions.
Cui, a regular customer, particularly enjoys the relaxing vibes of the pub. "Here, no one judges you simply from your look," Cui told Xinhua. "Everyone is kind, ready to help each other."
For the founder, this bar was opened with a mission. Having a paralyzed left hand due to a medical mishap in middle school, Xia, a law school graduate, has always wanted to create a welcoming space where individuals with different physical conditions could interact, feel at home, integrate into the community, and shake off stereotypes.
For him, accessibility means more than just physical facilities -- it's about ensuring everyone has equal access to a relaxing space, fostering closer relationships and establishing deeper connections.
"People with disabilities have the same needs as everyone else," Xia emphasized. "But I often struggled to find barrier-free spaces where everyone could casually walk in, enjoy a drink and socialize on an equal footing."
Official statistics reveal that China is home to approximately 85 million individuals with disabilities, equivalent to one in every sixteen people in the general population.
In recent years, China has intensified its commitment to creating a barrier-free society. Remarkable progress has been achieved, such as the establishment of libraries accessible to visually impaired readers, the design of specialized movie theaters accommodating wheelchair users, and the adoption of intelligent blind guidance systems in public transportation.
Furthermore, in certain regions, local governments are actively involved in renovating the homes of people with disabilities, guaranteeing barrier-free environments that facilitate their daily routines. Spaces such as Pub Handycup go beyond these necessities, striving to enrich the social lives of these individuals and foster a sense of community and inclusion.
Bai, another regular customer whose parents have hearing impairments, compares the pub to his childhood neighborhood where he can feel a sense of belonging and enjoy pure friendship with other guests. "Plus, this place is friendly to pets. You can simply play with them."
In the virtual world, customers of the pub are also able to engage extensively. The online chat group of Pub Handycup boasts a diverse membership. Each day, the group buzzes with discussions and postings, sharing details of barrier-free resources and activities, along with lighthearted jokes about everyday trivia.
Xiao Mi, an active member, received numerous happy birthday wishes in the chat group. Living near the tavern, he often visits in his wheelchair. After a while, he offered to assist whenever Xia and his business partner were too busy.
At the tavern, Xiao Mi learned to serve drinks and make mulled wine, activities he had never attempted before. When the tavern was bustling with customers, this outgoing man also helped with service, mingling with everyone in his wheelchair. He even created a map, which hangs on the wall, providing information regarding the barrier-free facilities nearby.
Almost every week, the tavern organizes diverse barrier-free support activities, such as sign language and Braille workshops, painting therapy workshops, and personal exhibitions by deaf photographers.
Most of these activities are customer-driven, encouraging participants to create events that align with the tavern's ethos and also showcase their respective skills and ideas.
"Some blind friends are proficient in Braille, so we collaborate with them to create a Braille workshop to teach more individuals. Additionally, deaf friends who are entrepreneurs sell their handicrafts in our tavern," Xia explained.
Xia hopes that the tavern can engage a broader range of residents from adjacent communities to take part in barrier-free support activities.
"The many like-minded individuals I have met since the bar's opening have bolstered my initial confidence. What we're doing isn't niche or lonely -- it's a shared ideal of many people," he noted. "I also hope more people can find resonance here." ■
