Even to Anyone, a Passenger Without Arms... Chinese Station Staff Demanding "Prove You Are Disabled"

Citizen Without Both Arms Denied Free Ride
"Both Are Victims of a Rigid System"

A Chinese man without arms was stopped by railway staff while trying to receive free travel benefits during a train trip. The staff reportedly demanded that the man 'prove' his disability, sparking outrage among local citizens.

Hong Kong media South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on an incident that occurred on the 21st of last month (local time) at a subway station in Wuhan, China. According to the report, Li Fengchang, a man without arms, approached the entrance of the subway station to use the subway that day.

At that moment, a staff member asked him, "If you want to use public transportation for free, please present a government-issued disability pass." Li forgot to bring the document but responded that he did not need to provide proof. However, the staff member refused Li's free ride, saying, "You must follow the rules."

Mr. Li Fengchang uses his foot instead of his hand to scan the subway ticket
[Image source=Weibo capture]

However, the staff member offered to pay for Li's subway fare, but Li declined the offer and paid the fare himself. In the released video, Li, who has no arms, can be seen using his feet to validate the ticket and enter the platform.

Later, Li posted about the incident on the Chinese social networking service Douyin. Chinese netizens who learned about what happened to Li expressed outrage. Amid growing controversy, Wuhan Metro apologized to Li and promised to strengthen 'barrier-free' access within the subway system going forward.

However, netizens' anger does not seem to subside easily. Criticisms such as "It is too cruel to have to prove one's disability" and "There is no flexibility" poured in. On the other hand, some opinions suggested, "Both Li and the railway staff are victims of rigid rules."

[Image source=Weibo]

Li emphasized that the reason for posting the video was "not to criticize the staff," but "to create a more humane environment for people with disabilities." He said, "People with disabilities, including myself, often face difficulties whenever we leave home," and added, "Rules that are not friendly to us risk excluding people with disabilities."

Li is a swimmer and also the owner of a swimming pool development company. It is reported that 70% of the employees in his company are people with disabilities like Li. He complained that his employees also experience various inconveniences during their commutes. SCMP cited Chinese government data stating that the population of people with disabilities in China reaches 85 million.