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Following is a question by Dr Hon Fernando Cheung and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, in the Legislative Council today (May 15):
Question:
Over the years, the Government has all along expressed its concern for the provision of barrier-free access and facilities, and some government officials have publicly stated on various occasions that the Government will observe the Universal Accessibility Best Practices devised by the Architectural Services Department as well as the best practices set out in the Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 issued by the Buildings Department, and whenever practicable, strive to achieve a standard beyond the statutory requirements when constructing new government buildings. However, I have received a large number of complaints from members of the public and organisations that there are problems of lack of proper maintenance and contravention of regulations of the barrier-free access and facilities in the community, but there are no channels for them to lodge their complaints. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether the Government has designated a certain department or established any programme which is tasked to coordinate the provision and maintenance of barrier-free access and facilities in the community; if it has, of the details; and whether the responsibilities of the department or programme include (i) handling requests for assistance and receiving views and complaints about barrier-free access and facilities from members of the public and organisations, and (ii) cooperating with community organisations or district councils to proactively identify areas of insufficiency and contraventions of regulations in respect of barrier-free access and facilities in the community; if no designated department or programme is in place, of the reasons for that, and whether the Government will set up a new department or task force, or designate an officer to take charge of the aforesaid tasks; if it will not, of the reasons for that; and
(b) whether various government departments have designated officers who are tasked to manage the barrier-free access and facilities under their respective ambits; if they have, of a list of the names of and the methods to contact such officers; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
It is Government's established policy objective to provide barrier-free access and facilities for people in need (including persons with disabilities) with a view to enabling them to freely access premises and make use of community facilities and services on an equal basis with others, thereby facilitating them to live independently, participate in full in various social activities and integrate into the community. On the one hand, we have put in place relevant legislative and administrative measures with a view to providing people in need with reasonable access to premises and community facilities. On the other hand, we will continue to strive for promotion and implementation of the vision of a barrier-free society in collaboration with the rehabilitation sector, the business sector and the community.
My reply to the two questions raised by Dr Hon Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung is as follows:
(a) and (b) Apart from ensuring that the newly constructed alterations and additions to existing government buildings and facilities achieve design standards beyond the statutory requirements where possible, we have accelerated the process of improving the accessibility of existing government premises, public housing and connecting road facilities. In this regard, the Administration has taken forward a comprehensive retrofitting programme to upgrade the barrier-free facilities for about 3 500 existing government premises and facilities, as well as about 240 public housing estates at a total cost of $1.3 billion. Retrofitting works for around 90% of these premises and facilities had been completed as scheduled in end-June 2012 and the majority of the remaining works is expected to be completed by end-June 2014. To tie in with the lift modernisation programme and Estate Improvement Programme of the Housing Authority, a small proportion of the improvement works at public housing estates will be completed by 2016-17.
With regard to public walkways, the Highways Department (HyD) has been implementing a retrofitting programme for the provision of barrier-free access facilities at public footbridges, elevated walkway structures or subways without lifts or ramps or alternative at-grade crossings. The works will be completed between 2016 and 2018 by phases. In addition, the Chief Executive announced in August 2012 a new policy on ¡§Universal Accessibility¡¨ which aims at further enhancing the barrier-free facilities for existing public walkways (i.e. footbridges, elevated walkways and subways maintained by HyD) by installation of lifts at appropriate locations. The Administration consulted the District Councils in the first quarter of 2013 on proposals suggested by the public involving about 250 public walkways on the priority for implementation, and will proceed to conduct preliminary technical feasibility studies for the selected priority projects.
With effect from April 1, 2011, the Administration has appointed Access Co-ordinators in individual bureaux and departments to co-ordinate accessibility issues within the bureau and department and raise staff awareness of accessibility issues. Individual bureaux and departments have also appointed an Access Officer for each venue under their management to offer assistance to people in need in access to the venue under his/her management and using the services and facilities therein, and handle complaints regarding accessibility issues for the venue. Access Officers are also required to conduct regular audit checks and take timely follow-up actions as required to ensure the provision of suitable barrier-free facilities and that the barrier-free access is free from undue alterations or obstructions. The contact lists of Access Co-ordinators and Access Officers, apart from being displayed at the venues concerned, have also been uploaded to the websites of the Labour and Welfare Bureau and individual bureaux and departments for public information.
Members of the public may contact directly individual Access Co-ordinators and Access Officers of the venues concerned to seek assistance, offer suggestions and lodge complaints in respect of the barrier-free facilities of the venues. They may also offer views through the District Councils. The District Councils will refer their views to the relevant government departments for follow-up actions or invite, if necessary, the works departments concerned to brief the District Councils on local improvement works, listen to the views of the District Councillors and follow up feasible suggestions. Moreover, members of the public may call the Government hotline 1823 to report inadequacy of barrier-free facilities and non-compliance cases. The departments managing the premises and facilities concerned will follow up proactively.
We have also been working closely with the major stakeholders, including the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the Sub-committee on Access under the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee and groups of persons with disabilities, and conducted joint site visits to ensure that the barrier-free facilities meet the needs of the service users.
As regards private buildings, the Buildings Department (BD) has adopted a two-pronged approach to ensure that persons with disabilities can enjoy the facilities provided to them under the law. Apart from following up irregularities identified during inspections on selected target shopping arcades and commercial buildings, BD will also actively follow up non-compliance cases in response to public complaints. Once reports on removal or unauthorised alteration of access and facilities for persons with disabilities are received, BD will conduct inspection and investigation within 50 days according to their Service Pledges. If the removal or unauthorised works are underway, BD will conduct the inspection and investigation within 48 hours. BD will take enforcement action against irregularities so identified pursuant to the Buildings Ordinance. According to BD's prevailing enforcement policy, priority enforcement action will be contemplated for removal or unauthorised alteration of access and facilities for persons with disabilities.
Ends/Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:00
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