HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
481
In the process of drafting the Five Year Plan of the Cultural Select Committee, I also received a detailed opinion paper from Mr. Mok Chiu-yu of the Arts with Disabled Association which touched not only on convenience for the disabled at the entrances and exits of Urban Council venues, but also on opportunities for participation. The stages of several civic centres are in fact very difficult to get to. If a disabled person is invited to receive a prize, he may have to go through the garbage room before taking a lift to reach the desired floor. Sheung Wan Civic Centre is an example. The way to the back stage is indirect and it takes a lot of assistance for a disabled person to reach the front stage. I believe in equal opportunities for the able-bodied and the disabled in performing, accepting prizes and watching performances on stage. Our existing design does not allow them to do so with dignity. I hope we can arrange a timetable to quicken steps in this respect.
Apart from it, I feel that we should set an example by installing higher standard facilities in our buildings. There may be a minimum standard set for public buildings, but the Council should attain higher standards in the provision of cultural and recreational structures so that the disabled will be able to use them with dignity. In addition to buildings, the Council should focus more on venues providing sports facilities. There should be adequate equipment for use by the disabled. Some public venues for street activities such as places in parks used by the Entertainment Select Committee for performances are not suited to the use and participation of the disabled either. Mr. Chairman, I have spoken in support of Mr. Li's motion.
MR. WONG KING-CHEUNG (in Cantonese):-In December last year, the Capital Works Select Committee became aware of this document and we requested the Department to give opinions on it in January. Staff of the Department analyzed the matter and collected information from units concerned in January. During the meeting in January, Members of the Select Committee gave their opinions about the document which was then in English. Recently at the end of January, the Planning, Environment and Lands Branch presented the Department with a paper. We have asked the Department to negotiate with organizations concerned. The proposal has been accepted by organizations concerned and they in turn have asked for 3 optional ways to do so. It has now been decided to have a meeting with representatives of organizations concerned and government departments in mid-March. I hope to see interested Members on that occasion. I speak in support of the motion.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Does anyone else wish to speak? No. Mr. Li Wah-ming, do you wish to exercise your right of reply?
THE HON. LI WAH-MING (in Cantonese):—I would like to thank Members who have spoken, including Ms. Jennifer CHOW Kit-bing, Mr. Stanley NG Wing-fai, Ms. Ada WONG Ying-kay and Mr. WONG King-cheung. I am absolutely convinced that the motion has your support and I hope various Select
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