Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
SHANGHAI, June 21 (Xinhua) — People sit in camping chairs and wheelchairs at an open-air concert. They sing, listen to music, chat and drink alcoholic beverages. As night falls, a neon sign reading “Pub Handycup” glows with a warm light.
This scene, reminiscent of a still from a movie, unfolded in Shanghai. A year ago, this unusual establishment, designed with people with disabilities in mind, opened in the city center.
Founder Xia Yujie watches with pride as his friends in wheelchairs move around the pub with ease, ordering and feeling at ease. “This is the perfect picture I have imagined for many years,” he says.
With gentle ramps instead of steps, tables with rounded corners, a tactile pub map, a sign language board and ample room to maneuver, this 30-meter bar is a pioneer of its kind in China.
Since opening last May, the pub has become a haven for people with and without disabilities. It serves around 10 craft beers daily, with a rotating selection, so they can drink and relax. It also hosts a range of accessibility events, including Braille workshops, book clubs and photography exhibitions.
A regular customer surnamed Cui particularly appreciates the pub’s relaxed atmosphere. “No one judges you by your appearance here,” she told Xinhua. “Everyone is kind and willing to help each other.”
For Xia Yujie, opening this bar was a mission of sorts. As a law school graduate with his left arm paralyzed due to a medical error in high school, he always wanted to create a welcoming space where people with disabilities could socialize, feel at home, integrate into the community, and shed stereotypes.
For him, accessibility is not just about physical infrastructure. It is also about ensuring that everyone has equal access to recreational spaces that foster relationships and deepen connections.
“People with disabilities have the same needs as everyone else,” Xia Yujie said. “But I often couldn’t find accessible places where everyone could just go, have a drink, and socialize as equals.”
According to official statistics, there are about 85 million people with disabilities in China, equivalent to one-sixteenth of China’s entire population.
In recent years, China has stepped up efforts to create a barrier-free environment. Significant progress has been made: libraries for the visually impaired have been created, special cinemas for wheelchair users have been equipped, and intelligent navigation systems for the blind have been introduced in public transport.
In addition, in a number of regions, local authorities are actively involved in the refurbishment of housing and territory for people with disabilities, ensuring a barrier-free environment to facilitate their daily lives. Places such as Pub Handycup go beyond meeting basic needs, seeking to enrich the social life of these people and promote their sense of community and inclusion.
Another regular, Bai, whose parents are hearing impaired, likens the pub to his childhood neighbourhood, where he feels a sense of belonging and enjoys the friendships of other guests. “It’s also pet-friendly. You can just play with them.”
In the virtual world, pub-goers are also actively communicating. The Pub Handycup chat group brings together a wide range of members. Every day, the group is buzzing with discussion, sharing information about resources and activities to ensure accessibility, and joking about everyday topics.
Active member Xiao Mi has received many birthday wishes in the chat. Living near the pub, he often comes to court in a wheelchair. Some time ago, he offered his help when Xia Yujie and his business partner were too busy.
At the pub, Xiao Mi learned to pour drinks and make mulled wine, something he had never tried before. When the pub was busy, the outgoing man helped with service, moving between guests in his wheelchair. He even created a map that hangs on the wall with information about nearby facilities.
Almost every week the pub hosts various events to support an accessible environment: master classes in sign language and Braille, art therapy sessions, and personal exhibitions of deaf photographers.
Most of these events are initiated by the visitors themselves, who create pub-style events while showcasing their skills and ideas.
“Some of our blind friends are good at Braille, so we collaborate with them to hold workshops to teach more people. In addition, our deaf-mute business friends sell their handicrafts in our pub,” Xia Yujie explained.
The owner of the establishment expressed hope that the bar will be able to attract more residents of nearby areas to participate in events to support an accessible environment.
“The many like-minded people I have met since opening the bar have reinforced my initial belief that what we do is not narrow-minded and we are not alone in this. It is a common idea for many people,” he said. “I also hope that more people can resonate with this.” -0-