The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has issued today (13 February 2015) legal proceedings in the District Court under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance, Cap. 487, on behalf of a person with impaired physical mobility who uses a wheelchair. The person was unable to access and use an accessible toilet in a restaurant, owing to the fact that the toilet concerned was used as a storeroom filled with sundry items, and was in conditions of disrepair (water leakage) that posed safety hazards to users. Despite repeated requests, the company operating the restaurant has failed to carry out the necessary works to remove the barriers and rectify the situation.

The EOC has granted legal assistance in this case in order to highlight the importance of providing independent and adequate barrier-free access to facilities, notably accessible toilets, within premises. Lack of adequate access to premises and the facilities therein for people with disabilities and the elderly remains prevalent in Hong Kong. By taking this case to the court, the EOC hopes to raise public awareness on this issue and the need for improvement. The EOC will continue to work with different sectors towards eliminating disability discrimination in the provision of barrier-free access.

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Equal Opportunities Commission
13 February 2015