XN000022-1997-01-08 — Page 31

-

16 -

Access facilities for person with a disability

Following is a question by the Hon John Tse and a reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Regarding the provision of facilities to wheelchair users, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Answer:

Mr President,

(a)

(b)

of the percentage of public places in the territory such as restaurants and cinemas which are provided with access facilities for wheelchair users;

of the current number of at-grade crossings provided with dropped kerbs to facilitate crossing by wheelchair users;

of the Government's plans to improve access facilities for wheelchair users; and whether the Government has considered introducing legislation requiring the provision of such facilities in non-domestic premises built before 1984; and

how the Government ensures that the access facilities originally designed for wheelchair users in privately-owned premises are actually made available for use by wheelchair users upon occupation of the premises?

We do not have the statistics on the number of public places (such as restaurants and cinemas) that have installed facilities for access by persons with a disability. Generally speaking, for public places constructed or having undergone major alterations after 1985, the Buildings Department would require the provision of such facilities as far as possible and reasonable.

Again we do not have the statistics on the number of pedestrian crossings that are provided with dropped kerbs. The policy since 1981 is that the provision of dropped kerbs has become standard for all newly constructed or reconstructed pedestrian crossings.