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Barrier-free improvement works to complete by mid-2012
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     Most of the improvement works at government premises and public housing estates will be completed by mid-2012 to create a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said today (December 4).

     These include improvement works on 3,306, or 85%, of government premises and facilities; 155 public housing estates; 23 shopping centres and 119 carparks.

     Speaking at the 40th anniversary of the Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth cocktail reception, Mr Cheung noted that in response to the Equal Opportunities Commission's Formal Investigation Report on Accessibility in Publicly Accessible Premises, the Government had set up an inter-departmental task force, led by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, to develop appropriate improvement projects to enhance the accessibility at government premises and facilities.

     Various works departments and departments responsible for venue management are represented in the task force.

     Mr Cheung said, "It is the Government's established policy to provide a barrier-free physical environment for persons with disabilities which permits their free access to all buildings on an equal basis with others.

     "This will help strengthen their ability to live independently and fully integrate into the community."

     He noted that the "Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008" had set out the enhanced design standards for the provision of barrier-free facilities.

     He said, "The Architectural Services Department and the Housing Department will ensure that all new buildings or existing buildings under renovation meet the requirements under the Design Manual 2008, and wherever practicable, achieve standards beyond the statutory requirements.

     "Individual bureaux and departments will designate an Access Co-ordinator to co-ordinate accessibility issues within the bureau or department.  An Access Officer will also be appointed for each government venue to ensure the provision of appropriate barrier-free facilities."

     Mr Cheung said he believed that these measures would help build a better barrier-free living environment for persons with disabilities.

Ends/Saturday, December 4, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:55

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