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Department to implement the commitment set out in the 1995 White Paper on Rehabilitation by providing equal opportunities to the 260 000 odd disabled members of our society so that they can participate fully in our activities.
To me, Mr. Li's motion today is very similar to mine in spirit, purpose, direction, content and overall principle. We target at the same group of handicapped and disabled persons. In content, we seek to find out whether UC facilities meet the special requirements of the disabled. In general principle and purpose, we share the hope to provide equal opportunities and we want to see that disabled persons can enjoy our facilities like all others. On work progress, we hope to have a timetable set for the implementation of the recommendations.
In view of the above, I vow my full support to Mr. Li's motion. I firmly believe that this motion will be conducive to the continuation of our efforts in providing equal opportunities to the disabled. I see it as an endorsement of my previous motion.
In fact, when we went on a study tour to the US and Canada, members of the delegation spent a lot of time on the facilities provided for the disabled there. On our return, we made proposals to the Department. My motion was also met with enthusiastic response from different sides. The Leisure Management Division of the Urban Services Department has responded by producing a very detailed report drafted by a work group under the Division. The report is based on reviews of services and facilities for the disabled and it has made proposals on the implementation of recommendations. I have consulted various disabled organizations and associations too. I hope that the proposals set out in the report will be steadfastly implemented soon so that they can escape the fate of being empty talks. I hope the Department will draw up a timetable of short, middle and long term goals for the implementation of equal opportunities.
Finally, I find today's motion a good opportunity for the Department to review our progress and latest developments following the report by the work group under the Leisure Management Division. Our Recreation Select Committee is currently in the process of drafting the Five-Year Plan. I think this debate can provide a good opportunity for further implementation of this spirit of concern in the coming Five-Year Plan. I support the motion.
MR. STANLEY NG WING-FAI (in Cantonese): I speak in support of Mr. Li's motion.
I am particularly concerned over the matter of standards. In fact, the facilities such as toilets for the disabled within Urban Council venues may conform to standards. It is management, such as locking up the toilets, that cause inconvenience to the disabled. Therefore, apart from improving our facilities to meet standards, we have to strengthen management. Maybe we can install electric bells or other communication devices as suggested by Mr. Li to
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