The Olympic cauldron, used during the Beijing Olympic Games last month, lies atop the roof of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing September 2, 2008. The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies for the Paralympic Games which will be held from September 6 to 17. [Agencies] 

More than 600 Paralympic vehicles have been made handicap friendly, and 2,000 low-chassis barrier-free buses were purchased and are currently operational.

In addition, 70 specially-designed taxis with bigger interiors, enough to hold a wheelchair, hit the road on Monday. The passenger seat of some of the vehicles can be turned 90 degrees, making it convenient for disabled people to get in and out.

Parking lots exclusively for the disabled have also been planned along the 39 trunk roads.

A total of 188 barrier-free rooms are being offered at 16 hotels serving the Paralympics. The hotels have gone through renovations to remove any barriers to the handicapped in guest rooms, elevators and bathrooms.

For instance, the space below a typical sink is kept empty to make room for wheelchairs; elevators are installed with buttons at a lower position for those in wheelchairs or with Braille signs for the blind.

Beijing tourist attractions, including the must-see Great Wall and Forbidden City, have also been made accessible to the disabled.

Over the past few years the municipal government has invested about 67 million yuan (US$10 million) in building barrier-free facilities at 60 tourist attractions. About 12,028 square meters of wheelchair ramps were built and 3,183 meters of handrails installed.