Vice-Chairperson Wong Ka Ling, Member Joseph Kwan Kwok Lok, General Secretary William Chan Hei Lung, and Senior Project Officer Wilson Lau Kwok Lam, met with G19 Legislative Council (LegCo) Members, including Members Tony Tse Wai Chuen, Chan Pui Leung, and Wendy Hong Wen, on 21 June 2023, to discuss accessibility issues in Hong Kong.
The following opinions were presented:
Advocating for the concept of “universal design” rather than “accessibility”: According to the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”, universal design refers to designing products, environments, programs, and services in a way that can be used by all individuals without the need for adjustments or special designs.
- Urban planning and building design should incorporate “universal design” principles for universal usability.
- Review the “Design Manual – Barrier Free Access” comprehensively as soon as possible.
- Issues of insufficient accessible taxis, refusal of service, and high reservation fees.
- Focus on accessibility in major construction projects such as the Northern Metropolis, Lantau Tomorrow, and hospital reconstructions.
- Large-scale projects should undergo early and continuous consultations on accessibility design.
During the meeting, there was a significant exchange of views on accessibility issues in Hong Kong. The atmosphere was positive, and we look forward to further opportunities to engage with G19 LegCo Members. We will actively engage with other LegCo Members to reflect the opinions of persons with disabilities.