On 27 November 2010 (Saturday), the Volunteer Team of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), together with renowned artist Mr. Lawrence CHENG Tan-shui, accompanied about 20 students with special education needs from Haven of Hope Sunnyside School (Sunnyside School) to visit the Ngong Ping 360 via round-trip cable car ride. Sunnyside School, under the Haven of Hope Christian Service, is a boarding school for children with severe intellectual disabilities from age 6 to 18. Half of the participating students are wheelchair users. Some parents and school staff also participated in the event. The goal of the visit was to put into action the concepts of diversity and inclusion, and promote the merits of an accessible environment to society. In addition, the visit aimed to raise public awareness to support equal opportunities for persons with disabilities and their right to participate in family and social activities.

 

Mr. LAM Woon-kwong, Chairperson of the EOC said, “Dining out and enjoying ourselves with family for leisure is common to many people in Hong Kong. Yet, to persons with disabilities, going out with their family, even to dine in a restaurant or shopping, may face various obstacles. When persons with disabilities go out with their family, even if they can afford the costs, they may still face discrimination in many forms. The largest obstacle is the accessibility of premises and facilities, which often have not taken the needs of persons with a disability into consideration. Therefore, the EOC urges that actions be taken by both the public and private sectors to solve the problem of accessibility as a top priority.”

 

The volunteer team of the EOC was formed by the EOC staff a few years ago. The volunteers usually accompany students with special education needs to take part in some meaningful outdoor activities on weekends in order to encourage their active social life. This visit was co-organized by the EOC, Sunnyside School and Ngong Ping 360, which has specially arranged a trip suitable for wheelchair users in order to broaden their experience and vision. Mr. LAM hoped that this visit could arouse greater institutional response to the needs of persons with disabilities. He emphasized that the adoption of the globally recognized concept of universal design in Hong Kong’s buildings and facilities would not only improve the lives of persons with disabilities, but also help to promote accessible tourism and attract more visitors to the city. It would also benefit the overall economy of Hong Kong.

 

During the trip, Mr. Lawrence CHENG Tan-shui, honorable guest, Mr. Y T LI, Managing Director of Ngong Ping 360, and Mr. LAW Kai-hong, Principal of Sunnyside School, also shared their vision and experience in realizing diversity and inclusion, and building an accessible society for all.

 

For media enquiries, please contact Miss Jackie CHAN at 2106-2260.

 

 

Equal Opportunities Commission

27 November 2010