The certificates for qualified tourist guide were recently issued to some mute guides at a trade fair held in Zhejiang last week. This is the fist time that handicapped people obtain tour guide certificates.

The decision aims to assist the handicapped to enjoy the fun of tourism as the normal people. It also tries to arouse entrepreneurs and normal people’s concern for these people.

As tourism industry has become a hot spot for the public in the new century, handicapped people seem to be neglected in this sector for a while.

A handicapped person attending the trade fair told reporters with gestures that he envied an American blind person named Doglas, who "traveled" in the U.S. by listening under dog's guide. He once hoped that he could also travel in China in the same way. Now organizers of the trade fair issued certificates for mute people, and more people in society will pay their attention to tourism related with handicapped people. This gives them hope that for one day, they can also travel like a normal people does.

(Chinanews.cn December 19, 2005)