Second Edition of Future Stars Program for Accessibility and Innovation Officially Launches
On March 5, 2026, as the first breaths of spring filled the air, the launch ceremony for the second phase of Beijing Academy's Future Stars Program for Accessibility and Innovation commenced amidst an atmosphere of warm anticipation.
Since forging a partnership with the Tsinghua University Institute for Accessibility Development in 2024, we have embarked on a journey of understanding and empathy. From that inaugural accessibility salon that opened our hearts, to the first cohort of students stepping into real communities and developing nine innovation projects focused on assistive technology for people with disabilities — these young eyes began to see the inconveniences that had long gone unnoticed, and these young hearts began to hear the needs that had never been spoken. They are quietly embodying the school motto: 'Better Me, Better World.'
Now, the second phase of the Future Stars Program for Accessibility and Innovation takes up the baton. With the academic support of the Tsinghua University Institute for Accessibility Development, the program will introduce a broader range of resources and perspectives. We encourage young people to truly step beyond the campus and into the corners of society that need to be heard, to work deeply and diligently in the fields of assistive technology for people with disabilities and inclusive design.
As we envisioned at the conclusion of the first phase: may more 'Future Stars' gather here, their light illuminating a more inclusive and brighter path. Today, the glimmer has become a torch, and change is taking place.
Student Reflections
Xia Linhan
As the host of this event, standing on that stage, what I felt was not only the responsibility under the spotlight, but a deeper, renewed understanding of the word 'accessibility.'
The process of preparing for and hosting the launch ceremony was, for me, a rare journey of learning and growth. At first, my understanding of 'accessibility' remained at the level of physical facilities — ramps, tactile paving, and handrails. But through conversations with experts from the Tsinghua University Institute for Accessibility Development, reading relevant materials, and attending Dean Shao Lei's lecture, I gradually realized that accessibility is not merely about making things 'convenient' for a few, but about ensuring 'equality' for all. It is an attitude, a design mindset, and, above all, a reflection of a civilized society.
At the event, I saw the attentive eyes of my fellow students, the earnest expressions of parents taking notes, and the warmth of experts explaining with patience. In that moment, I deeply felt that this launch ceremony was not just the beginning of a program, but the sowing of seeds of 'accessibility' in every heart present.
As the host, I was not merely a facilitator of the agenda, but a conveyor of ideas. When I spoke the words, 'Let more young people step into the field of accessibility,' I was also saying to myself: you are one of them.
After the event, a classmate told me, 'I never knew accessibility could be so fascinating and so meaningful.' Those words moved me deeply and strengthened my conviction that the launch ceremony was only a beginning. In the future, each and every one of us can become a 'Future Star' driving the development of an inclusive society. I am grateful to Beijing Academy and the Tsinghua University Institute for Accessibility Development for giving me this precious opportunity to host, and I thank all the guests who attended for their heartfelt sharing. May we all go further, and warmer, on the path of accessibility.
Huo Yikun
The core reason I joined this program is my grandmother. She is a person with hearing impairment, and as she has grown older, her mobility and cognitive abilities have declined. The safety of her daily outings has been a constant concern for our family. It is precisely for this reason that I deeply understand the many inconveniences faced by people with hearing impairments and the elderly in their daily lives — especially the issue of going missing, a frequent and thorny problem that causes immense anxiety for families and poses significant risks to the personal safety of these vulnerable groups.
I hope that through this research program, I can systematically build my professional knowledge and practical skills, and attempt to develop an anti-wandering system tailored to people with hearing impairments and the elderly. By addressing the pain points in their travel safety, I aim to build a solid line of defense for their daily outings. I would also like to express my special thanks to the guest speakers for their in-depth presentations on disability, inclusion, and universal design. These insights have given me a more holistic and profound understanding of the needs of special groups, provided valuable ideas and direction for my subsequent studies and research, and further strengthened my determination to carry this project forward and contribute to these communities.
Huang Manshu
By attending Professor Shao Lei's launch lecture on accessibility initiatives, I gained a deeper understanding of accessibility and came away with more ideas for building a better community.
Professor Shao provided an in-depth analysis of the application scenarios and significance of this program, and expressed his earnest expectations for the outcomes to come. Among what he shared, a quote from Ronald Mace left a profound impression on me: 'Universal design is not design made specifically for a particular segment of people, but design made for everyone from the very start.' Before encountering this idea, I had never considered the universality required in product design. It shattered a barrier in my thinking — I now believe that what people with disabilities truly need is not superficial assistance, but an inclusive world where they can live as anyone else would.
The lecture may have ended, but the reflections it sparked in me have only just begun. I will carry this lens of accessibility with me, starting from myself, and offer respect and whatever help I can to others in the smallest of ways.