CS inspects facilities for people with disabilities (with photos/video)

CS inspects facilities for people with disabilities (with photos/video)
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     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, today (January 19) inspected rehabilitation services in Sha Tin and the progress of the retrofitting programme to upgrade barrier-free access at Government facilities.

     Mr Tang first visited the New Territories East Community Rehabilitation Day Centre run by the Spastics Association of Hong Kong, where he was briefed on the centre's rehabilitation training and treatment programme. He met users of the rehabilitation service and listened to their views on the existing services.

     Mr Tang then proceeded to the public transport interchanges, building lobbies and subways in Wo Che Estate, as well as to Sha Tin Park to see for himself specific measures to improve barrier-free access to public premises.  These include lift retrofitting works and the provision of ramps, handrails, tactile guide paths and warning strips, as well as the provision of additional waiting space for people with disabilities at bus-stops.

     Mr Tang said after the visit, "Our long-established policy is to provide a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities, enabling them to live independently and fully integrate into the community.

    "The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) published the 'Formal Investigation Report: Accessibility in Publicly Accessible Premises' in June 2010.  We attach great importance to the EOC's recommendations.  An interdepartmental task force has examined about 3,900 premises and facilities under the management of Government departments and the Housing Authority with a view to drawing up a retrofitting programme to upgrade the barrier-free facilities.

     "We have started to implement these improvement measures.  We are determined to complete some 3,300 improvement works within the current term of the Government.  The remaining works - which take more time having regard to factors such as patronage, scale of works and technical constraints - will be completed by mid 2014."

     In addition, the Government has accepted the EOC's recommendation to designate and train an Access Co-ordinator in each Government department to oversee accessibility issues.

     Mr Tang said that to help people with disabilities, concerted effort of the community is indispensable. "With the Government taking the lead, we hope to encourage different organisations to better improve their barrier-free facilities.  The Government will closely work with different sectors in building a barrier-free and inclusive society," concluded Mr Tang.

Ends/Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:59

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