t have equal opportunities with the young people in serving as volunteersat the Olympic games. But they can provide services in theircommunities and other public places.” Du Dawei suggests that they bearranged to work in twos and threes as volunteer docents in museumsto meet foreigners’ needs for Chinese knowledge， and as informationsources， wearing colorful tee shirts reading “Ask Me”， to help foreignvisitors in scenic spots and shopping areas.
Lao Du’s life experiences have proven that accomplishmentsachieved at an advanced age can bring about happiness. He believeshis volunteer work has set an example for other senior people. “I am65 years old but I feel that I am still of use to society， so I am veryhappy about that，” he said. “Happiness brings me good health， and thegood health will bring me longevity. I sincerely want other old peopleto be happy， healthy volunteers like me. He plans to recommend “Ask Me” volunteer activities at theDashilan Business Area and Wangfujing Shopping Street as well asTian’anmen， Liulichang， Xiushui Street， Panjiayuan and at the museums.
He wants to offer training to some Beijing natives and let them work in pairs to provide volunteer services in these places. They canescort foreigners to speciality stores and give foreign visitors directionsto particular scenic spots. By doing so， the volunteers will improvetheir English and the foreign visitors will get help they need. Atthe same time this will help business get customers. Isn’t that a winwinwin situation?
Strive for Obstacle—Free Access” for the DisabledListed on his business card are several titles. From those titles，you see that he has been engaged as an advisor to many organizations，proving that he really is a useful person. He is a person not only “ofuse”， but， I have to add， a person “of great talents”。 It is interesting tonote that the most prominent title on the card is “Consultant for AccessUnlimited in China” for the disabled.
Lao Du is dedicated to the welfare of the disabled. He has madea loud appeal on news media to society at large to offer better servicesfor the disabled. His article， “Obstacle-Free Access for the Disabledin Museums and Cultural Scenic Spots”， which was published inthe Weekly China’s Cultural Relics， has attracted wide-spread attention.
The 2008 Paralympics， to be held in Beijing soon after the 200Olympic Games， is a challenge as well as an opportunity. Lao Du’sarticle has been a timely edification and reference for the departmentsconcerned. As the advisor to the Association of the Disabled of Beijing，Du Dawei has conducted surveys at these tourist attractions andmade his suggestions. His appeal has resulted in special access beingprovided for Tuancheng in Beijing’s Beihai Park. At the entrance ofthe Forbidden City the high thresholds of the gates are being modifiedto allow entrance for the disabled. Lao Du is very happy about theseimprovements.
He emphasizes that， as a special group of people， the disabledshould be provided with more convenient， conscientious travel servicesby society. Particularly， hotels and restaurants should set up greenaccess for them. Unfortunately， “many hotels and restaurants don’
t want to do that. They are afraid the service would be too expensive.
176 That’s wrong. Each year in America a great number of handicappedpeople take leisure trips”。 According to statistics ， the annual travelexpenses of the American disabled outside the US amounts to US＄3.billion. Their major destinations are Canada and Mexico; then Thailand.
