ACCESS CO-ORDINATOR & OFFICER SCHEME AND BARRIER-FREE ACCESS & FACILITIES RETROFITTING PROGRAMME

"Barrier-free Access & Retrofitting of Facilities" is a programme to create a barrier-free environment by enhancing the accessibility of public premises and facilities. "Access Co-ordinator & Access Officer Scheme" establishes gender focal points in each policy bureau and department and in each venue to manage accessibility issues.

Together, Hong Kong’s programmes: Access Co-ordinator & Access Officer Scheme and the Barrier-free Access & Facilities Retrofitting Programme of 2010 facilitated Government-wide collaborative efforts in enhancing the accessibility of public premises and facilities, sped up progress in upgrading facilities in existing premises and facilities, established a focal point in each policy bureau and department and in each venue to manage accessibility issues, and identified areas for improvement.

Problems Targeted

Hong Kong has established programmes that heavily invest in making existing premises and facilities accessible, supported by awareness-raising campaigns within departments and accessibility officers that give assistance to persons with disabilities.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

The ultimate objective of Hong Kong’s Access Co-ordinator
& Access Officer Scheme and Barrier-free Access & Facilities Retrofitting Programme is to establish a barrier-free environment. After the relevant Government departments completed their assessments on premises and facilities, a Task Force led by the Labour and Welfare Bureau developed a consolidated schedule for the retrofitting works covering 3,500 existing government premises and facilities, as well as around 240 public housing estates, at a total cost of 167 million USD. Premises and facilities covered include clinics, food markets, museums, tribunals, sports centres, and bus terminals. The Access Co-ordinator & Access Officer Scheme followed the model of the existing Gender Focal Points. An Access Coordinator is in charge of coordinating and raising staff awareness on accessibility issues within a policy bureau and department. An Access Officer gives persons with disabilities on-site assistance ineach venue, conducts regular audit checks, takes timely follow-up actions and handles public enquiries and complaints.

Pictures