A simple ramp and a few railings have given Fang Jinmei a level of independence she hasn't enjoyed for over a decade.

Since she was paralyzed 16 years ago, Fang has had to ask her husband to carry her wheelchair into the courtyard outside her home and then to carry her to the chair anytime she wanted to go out.

Thanks to a recently built ramp where a small set of stairs used to be, the 56-year-old can now leave the house on her own.

"Though nothing conspicuous, it really makes everything easier and more convenient," she said. "In the past, I spent most of my time indoors because the steps seemed insurmountable to myself. "

Several handrails also have been installed in her kitchen and bathroom to help her avoid accidental falls.

While similar equipment has been a staple of disabled people's homes in many countries for years, it is only becoming popular in Shanghai this year.

Setting up a wheelchair ramp, handrails and enlarged doors generally costs about 1,000 yuan (US$120) to 2,000 yuan.

After making the benefits of such equipment known to many families in Jing'an and Luwan districts, the Shanghai Disabled Persons' Federation said it will launch campaigns to introduce the devices across the city.

"We should let them know that there's a way of helping them and then persuade them to accept it," said Fan Zhaopeng, head of the local barrier-free equipment construction team.

(Shanghai Daily August 23, 2004)