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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

135

Appendix to Mr. Hilton Cheong-leen's speech

Facilities for the Disabled

(I) PROVISION IN VARIOUS TYPES OF URBAN COUNCIL VENUES

(A) Current Provision:

(i) Indoor Games Halls

Full-size toilets and changing rooms for the disabled have been included in the Aberdeen Indoor Games Hall and spectators on wheelchairs can be accommodated.

(ii) Swimming Pools

Both the Aberdeen and the Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool Complexes have special facilities for the disabled. These include changing rooms, toilets, approach ramps and access into and out of the teaching pools.

(iii) Libraries

To assist disabled persons to use public library facilities the following measures have been introduced:-

(a) A number of seats in libraries are specially reserved for the handicapped.

(b) Notices are put up in libraries to the effect that disabled persons will receive priority.

(c) There have been organized library visits for the disabled during which the different aspects of library facilities have been explained to them.

(d) A special block loan service has been introduced on an experimental basis, e.g. to spinal injuries patients in the Physiotherapy Section of Kowloon Hospital.

(iv) Space Museum

Special toilets for the handicapped are provided in the Ground Floor Exhibition Hall. A list is also provided for the use of the disabled visiting the Space Theatre and the Hall of Solar Sciences on the First Floor. The disabled can enter the Museum from either of the two entrances and can use most facilities of the Museum.

(v) Queen Elizabeth Stadium

The following amenities have been provided:

(a) a ramp leading from the main entrance at Oi Kwan Road to the lift on the ground floor reserved for the disabled to gain access to all floors of the building;

(b) space for wheel-chair spectators in the arena; and

(c) special compartments included in all toilets in the arena (3/F) and the multi-purpose hall (basement).

(vi) City Hall

The amenities provided to date comprise:-

(a) A ramp for the disabled to the High Block;

(b) Two ramps from the S.E. entrance of the Low Block into the Main Foyer; and

(c) Portable ramps to enable disabled persons to enter other areas with the assistance of the Cultural Services Attendants.

(B) Planned Provision

(i) Toilets

Arrangements are being made to provide a unisex compartment for use by the disabled in future public toilets and other U.C. facilities. The compartment will have separate access and be situated on the ground floor. Unisex toilets are desirable because certain disabled persons on wheel-chairs have to be assisted by someone who is not necessarily of the same sex, and unisex toilets will not cause any embarrassment,

A survey of existing public toilets will also be carried out in order to identify those where a unisex compartment can be included.

(ii) Swimming Pools

An additional indoor swimming pool together with access, changing and toilet facilities designed to meet the requirements of the disabled will be built at the Morrison Hill Swimming Pool Complex.

(iii) Indoor Games Halls, Stadia, Parks and Playgrounds

In the design of future indoor games halls, stadia, indoor play areas, parks and playgrounds facilities will be provided to enable the disabled to move around and take part in the activities wherever possible.

(iv) Civic Centres (Cultural Complexes and Indoor Stadia)

Specially designed access for disabled persons will be provided in future civic centres presenting cultural programmes and indoor sports.

Regarding the City Hall, active consideration is being given to incorporating the following as overall improvement items:-

(a) portable wheel-chair lifts at the lower ground foyer and 2/F lift landing;

(b) appropriate conversion of one of the cubicles in each of the male and female toilets on the G/F of the City Hall Low Block.

(v) Libraries

In order to encourage more disabled people to use libraries, arrangements are being made to expand audio-visual services and extension activities. Hi-fi equipment, pianos and video cassette projection systems are being installed in several libraries and these will prove to be of value to the disabled, both as a means of recreation and for the dissemination of information. The following activities are being considered and will be introduced for handicapped people coming to the libraries in groups:

(a) Viewing of video-cassette programmes.

(b) Music appreciation and concerts.

(c) Film shows.

Special block book services and audio-visual materials will also be loaned to institutions for the disabled and library bookstocks will take into account the special needs of parents, teachers and other agencies concerned with the disabled.

(vi) Museums

In designing new museums, attention will be given to the provision of easy means of access and special toilets for the disabled.

Special exhibition facilities such as sets of exhibits to be touched by the blind will be considered when displays in the permanent science museums are being planned.

A list showing projects at various stages of planning and incorporating facilities for the disabled is at Appendix A.

(II) SUBSIDIES GIVEN TO VARIOUS SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS FOR THE DISABLED

The Council has sponsored certain activities of the following sports associations for the disabled in the past years:-

(i) The Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped (HKSAM).

(ii) The Sports Association for the Physically Handicapped (SAP).

(iii) Sports Association for the Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied (PHAB).

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