A spokesman for the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) said that a delegation comprising representatives from the Legislative Affairs Commission and the Social Development Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) today (April 19) concluded its three-day visit successfully on the development of barrier-free environment in Hong Kong, as part of its visit to Hong Kong and Macao.

     Led by the Deputy Director General of the Rights Protection Department of the CDPF, Mr Zhang Dongwang, the five-member delegation was jointly received by the representatives of the LWB, the Education Bureau, the Architectural Services Department, the Buildings Department, the Highways Department, the Housing Department, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Social Welfare Department and the Transport Department.

     The delegation arrived in Hong Kong on April 17 afternoon and paid site visits to social welfare, construction, school, road and transport inclusive facilities to learn more about the vision, legislative framework, policies and implementation of the development of barrier-free environment through exchanges with the Government and representatives of non-governmental organisations. In that afternoon, the delegation visited the Kwu Tung North Multi-welfare Services Complex commencing service later this year and Queen's Hill Estate in Fanling which completed intake, and was briefed by departments on their design and barrier-free elements.

     The delegation attended an exchange seminar on barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities hosted by the LWB yesterday (April 18). The Commissioner for Rehabilitation of the LWB, Miss Vega Wong, and relevant bureau/departments introduced to the delegation the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's rehabilitation policies as well as the latest progress of various rehabilitation services and measures of building a barrier-free environment. Both sides exchanged views on deepening co-operation, seizing the development opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and integration into the national development. The delegation visited the Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth and met with the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Welfare Services, Mr Tang Ka-piu, yesterday.

     This morning, the delegation toured Hong Kong Christian Service Pui Oi School in Tuen Mun to take a closer look at the learning environment and facilities of a school for children with physical disability, followed by a visit to Heep Hong Society Integrated Service Complex in Pokfulam on its rehabilitation services catering for children and youths with special needs. The Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming; the Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Miss Vega Wong; and the Assistant Director of Social Welfare (Rehabilitation and Medical Social Services), Miss Hannah Yip, met the delegation around noon and exchanged views on the rehabilitation and support services for persons with disabilities. The delegation viewed barrier-free facilities for persons with disabilities in MTR Hong Kong Station this afternoon, and then visited the first inclined lift in the public sector linking Tai Wo Hau Road and Wo Tong Tsui Street in Kwai Chung. The delegation also discussed with officers of the Equal Opportunities Commission today on protecting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

     The delegation will depart Hong Kong for Macao tomorrow morning (April 20) to proceed its visit.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, will pay a visit to the CDPF in Beijing in May with a view to having a better understanding and exchange of the support services for persons with disabilities.

Ends/Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Issued at HKT 21:31

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