No_1_January_1969 — Page 23

Day centre designed for safe use by disabled

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THE World Rehabilitation Fund day centre for the disabled at Kwun Tong is the first centre in Hong Kong to provide comprehensive facilities on one site for medical and vocational assessment of capacity and for voca- tional rehabilitation in all major fields of disability - for the physically handi- capped, the blind, the deaf and the mentally retarded.

In addition to medical and para- medical services, it offers facilities for 340 disabled trainees or workers daily. Some 140 will be engaged in pre- vocational training, 120 in vocational training and 80 in sheltered workshops.

The pre-vocational training is pro- vided in classrooms where the younger trainees are aquainted with the use of basic tools and where group activities will help them to adjust socially to their disability.

The prime object of the centre being to help the disabled to overcome their disadvantages, it was of course

WORLD REHABILITATION FUND, INC.

SPENCE ROBINSON

CHRISTOPHER HAFFNER, B. Arch, ARIBA

PETER Y. S. PUN & ASSOCIATES

LEVETT & BAILEY

JOHN LOK & PARTNERS

CHAN SHIN

of paramount importance that the cen- tre be designed for the safe movement and use of people suffering from a variety of handicaps. This considera- tion is incorporated in every aspect of the planning.

Special design factors for the dis- abled include :

ramped

For wheelchair users accesses, special w.c. cubicles with ver- tical and horizontal handrails, low- mounted wall hung urinals, wide corri- dors for turning and to enable two chairs to pass, and wide doors.

client

architects

partner in charge

engineering consultants

quantity surveyors

general contractor

contractor's project manager

ing ing - handrails in all public areas, easy stairs without projecting nosings, w.c.'s higher than usual.

continuous hand-

For the blind rails where possible, raised lettering on all doors in a constant position relative to the side they open and at a constant height.

For those with poor hand control — doors without latches and with self closers and hospital handles, and fau- cets with a better grip than usual.

For the deaf- flashing fire alarms. Another special feature is the cen- For those who have difficulty walk-tral lift designed and installed by Otis

Far East BUILDER, January 1969.

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