Why’re Blind People Afraid to Go Out —— The Usage Rate of Tactile Pavement in China is Almost 0

China‘s extensive tactile pavement network is largely unused by the blind due to pervasive design flaws, poor maintenance, and occupation by obstacles. This reflects a lack of practical implementation and social support for accessibility.

"Walking on tactile pavement is suicide for the blind." On the eve of the 30th International Day of the Blind, as society once again turned its attention to the living conditions of this special group, this remark from a blind masseur in Beijing sounded particularly harsh, making countless "normal people" feel heartache and shame. However, upon reflection, one realizes that while the words are blunt, the reasoning is sound. Many people suddenly realized that they truly rarely see blind people on the streets. Has tactile pavement really become just for show? Why don't blind people in China dare to go out?

After conducting an investigation and interviews, Global Times reporters found:

1. The usage rate of tactile pavement is almost zero.  

There are over 17 million blind people in China. As early as 2001, China's promulgated and implemented "Code for the Design of Accessibility in Urban Roads and Buildings" explicitly required that newly built main roads in cities should be equipped with tactile pavement. It is reported that Beijing alone has over 1,600 kilometers of tactile pavement, ranking first in the world. However, surveys show that due to numerous design and management flaws, the usage rate of tactile pavement in most Chinese cities is almost zero. This is because:  

- The design of tactile pavement lacks humanization: Almost all tactile pavements run straight forward, passing by hospitals, banks, shopping malls, and other public places without leading to their entrances.  

- Unreasonable allocation: Many auxiliary roads are equipped with tactile pavement, but there are few pedestrians along these routes, and blind people are even less likely to use them. In contrast, some high-traffic areas lack tactile pavement.  

- Poor maintenance and numerous hazards: Some tactile pavements are discontinuous and uneven, with three sewer manholes directly crossing within 50 meters, some even without covers.  

- Tactile pavement is "busy": The sidewalks on both sides are often crowded with large and small shops. Restaurant chairs, merchants' billboards, and mobile stalls "playing guerrilla" may occupy the tactile pavement. Passing vehicles also use the tactile pavement as free parking spaces.  

In short, the "usage rate" of tactile pavement is high, but it has lost its true function.

2. Tactile Pavement Serves Political Achievements, Not the People  

In the view of Nie Jifeng, Vice Chairman of the Siping City Blind Association in Jilin Province, besides tactile pavement, what pains the blind even more is the indifference of people around them. "In China, blind people walking on the road are often seen as obstacles. If they walk slowly, sharp"hurry up" will come from behind."

Lu Jian, Director of the Road Research Center at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, pointed out that in many places, building tactile pavement is just a political achievement project. No one cares whether it is well built or not. Lu Jian noted that as early as 1961, the United States established the world's first "Accessibility Standard," explicitly requiring that public places must build accessibility facilities specifically for disabled people. In China, however, this work has just begun.

3. Cultivating a Social Atmosphere of Care  

Under current conditions, how can we improve the travel environment for the blind?  

Lu Jian suggested that, first, we need to optimize the resource allocation of tactile pavement. Funds used to build tactile pavement in remote areas should be reallocated to maintain tactile pavement in key living areas, such as near hospitals, banks, and blind reading rooms. Second, establish a supervision and reporting mechanism to crack down on behaviors that damage or privately occupy tactile pavement and promptly eliminate safety hazards. Third, call on the whole society to care about the living conditions of the blind. For example, establish a social volunteer system like in the United States to foster a social atmosphere of care for the disabled. The media should also spread positive energy and care for the disabled.

Foreign experience is also worth learning from. In Japan, all streets have tactile pavement, allowing the blind to walk straight and turn smoothly without getting lost due to a lack of direction. Cleaning staff clean the tactile pavement daily, so there are basically no stones or branches that could trip the blind. Guide dogs can lead their owners into supermarkets, restaurants, etc., without excessive restrictions.

Source: https://health.huanqiu.com/article/9CaKrnJCAhO

Translated By: 7ITSNEWS