Press Conference on Report of “The study of Barrier Free Community Facilities of Tuen Mun” cum Award Presentation

Press Conference on Report of “The study of Barrier Free Community Facilities of Tuen Mun” cum Award Presentation

With sponsorship from the Tuen Mun District Council, the Working Group on Medical and Rehabilitation Services under Social Services Committee of Tuen Mun District Council and Rehabilitation Centre (NT) of the Hong Kong Society for the Blind co-organized the “The study of Barrier Free Community Facilities of Tuen Mun” from October, 2010 to February, 2011.  Government facilities, public housing estates, shopping malls of Links, recreational, sports and public transport facilities were examined in terms of barrier-free access. The results of the Study were announced on 27 February, 2011.

The aims of the Study were to evaluate the accessibility of community facilities of Tuen Mun; increase public awareness for improvement of barrier-free access; enhance public understanding of a barrier-free environment; and to promote social integration under the team work of disabled persons and the abled persons in carrying out the survey.
    
The investigation teams were formed by different organizations and sectors of people living in Tuen Mun, including the physically handicapped, visually impaired and hearing impaired persons, secondary school students and volunteers.  

The investigation teams were led by the professionals. Between November, 2010 and January, 2011, they had made 18 trips, each 3.5 hours making a total visit of 80 locations. They focused on the accessibility of entrances and exits of buildings, lobbies, escalators, lifts, car parks, stairs, washrooms for disabled persons and etc. They made measurement for ramps and made detail observation about the usage of various barrier-free access facilities whether they did meet with the universal guidelines, and to identify areas of improvement. The data were published in “The study of Barrier Free Community Facilities of Tuen Mun” Report for public reference.

Apart from announcing the results of the Study, seven “The Best Social Inclusion Awards” were presented to organizations and service units in Tuen Mun to commend the efforts they made for barrier-free access.