The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) issued today (8 July 2011) legal proceedings under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance, Cap. 487, on behalf of a complainant, an elderly person who suffers from right knee osteoarthritis, resulting in acute pain when she walks up or down stairs. The Plaintiff has great difficulty accessing or leaving her home on a lower floor of a housing estate, as lift opening is blocked on the floor in the existing setup where her residence is. Despite repeated requests by the Plaintiff, no change was made by the Owners Corporation to provide her with lift access, forcing her to take the stairs.

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

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Equal Opportunities Commission
8 July 2011