Article

Background

Hong Kong is a world-famous tourist city with many tourists coming to Hong Kong every year.  With the promotion of the persons with disabilities (PwD) by the United Nations, PwD should enjoy the equality and rights of the general population, including the ability to travel to the rest of the world with dignity and respect, freedom and independence. 

The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation was established in 1959 and is a government-approved registered charity.  For the promote human health, social participation and a conducive environment through innovative rehabilitation services and empowering people with disabilities or chronic conditions. 

Hong Kong's barrier-free facilities have been greatly improved in the government's legislation and promotion in past years.  To facilitate the search for information on barrier-free facilities in Hong Kong for disabled residents, overseas disabled passengers and the travel agents, the "Access Guide" was developed to introduce barrier-free facilities in many parts of Hong Kong. The first access guide was compiled by a voluntary working group in 1982 and printed into a book; it was also updated in 2004. 

In mid-2009, the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation conducted a survey on Hong Kong for PwD, major on hotels, eating areas, tourist spots and shopping malls.  The survey was sponsored by the Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government (Labor and Labour Bureau). The information obtained was compiled into the "Access Guide" website version 1.0.  This version is purely written and introduced to the content of the website.  It will be difficult for readers to fully know the information in the network. 

With the development of multimedia and map technology, in 2012, with the support and technical support of ESRI China (Hong Kong) Limited, we added multimedia and map technology to our website, including suggested barrier-free routes and related distances, and joining the map.  Like the Interchange Format (GIF) and video introduction, we have re-established our Hong Kong Accessibility Guide Version 2.0. 

In 2013, under the sponsor of the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the Hong Kong Access Guide Version 2.0 was re-established into version 3.0.  Thanks to the efforts of Volunteer Team from the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, accessibility information for facilities in more than 80 locations has been updated, including photos and videos of related facilities.  This website also reaches the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA level standard. 

In 2018, we received financial and technical support from ESRI China (Hong Kong) Limited. Thanks to the efforts of a group of enthusiasts with disabilities and volunteers, we successfully re-developed the Hong Kong Accessibility Guide Version 4.0.  In addition to updating the content of 65 locations (including beaches and country parks) and keeping the site up to the WCAG 2.0 AA 

Proposed Accessible Tours

Proposed Tour 1

Visitors can take New World First Bus (route no. 66) or Citybus (route 6, 6X or 260) to Stanley from Central (Exchange Square).  Journey time is about 50 minutes.

 

In addition to the Stanley Market, visitors can also visit other popular spots, including Murray House, Blake Pier, special restaurants and special stalls on both sides of the street.

 

After, visitors is suggested to take the New World First Bus (route no. 66) or Citybus (route 6, 6X or 260) from Stanley to Stubbs Road bus-stop and transfer to the New World First Bus (route no. 15) bus to the Peak. The Peak Galleria and the Peak Tower are the popular attractions for tourists.  After having dinner at Peak, visitors can enjoy the night view of Hong Kong.

Proposed Tour 2

Visitors can take the MTR Tung Chung Line to Tung Chung Station (orange line on the map of MTR).  After a 5-min walk from Exit B of Tung Chung Station, visitors will arrive at "Ngong Ping 360" station and can take the "Ngong Ping 360" cable car to Ngong Ping.

 

Through Ngong Ping Village, visitors can enjoy a mindfulness walk to Po Lin Monastery, the Big Buddha and Wisdom Path.

 

Afterwards, visitors can return to Tung Chung, and enjoy shopping at Citygate Outlets, Numerous outlet stores of famous brands can be found. Visitors can also enjoy a dinner at one of the specialty restaurants in Citygate.

Proposed Tour 3

Visitors can take the MTR West Rail to Tin Shui Wai Station. At Tin Shui Wai Station, visitors can transfer to the Light Rail No. 705 or 706, and get off at Wetland Park Station.  Hong Kong Wetland Park is a world-class ecotourism attraction. Visitors can experience the peaceful living environment of birds and animals in this Wetland.

 

After, visitors can get back to downtown by taking the MTR to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station. If visitors are interested in the culture and history of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Museum of History can fulfill their needs. Visitors can also take a walk along the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui and get their favorites in the shopping malls nearby. At 8 o’clock in the evening, visitors can enjoy a spectacular light show "Symphony of Lights" taking place on Hong Kong's skyline.

Web Accessibility

The web is a predominant channel for disseminating information and providing services to the public. Its usefulness will be greatly enhanced if the contents are accessible by the widest possible audience, including persons with disabilities.

Web Accessibility is to make sure that the website content is available for all, including not only persons with disabilities but also persons with specific difficulties such as the elderly and persons beset with colour-blindness, cognitive and physical issues such as dyslexia, epilepsy, etc. An accessible website not only helps deliver messages wider across, but also improves the general usability for all users. It also helps building a caring and inclusive society. Over the years, the Government has been actively promoting web accessibility to facilitate persons with disabilities to access online information and services and enhance their user experience.

This website is based on the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA level, so that people with disabilities can easily to use and read this website.

Acknowledgement

The completion of this Project, including website revamp and updating of content, of 'Visitors' Guide to Accessible Facilities in Hong Kong' is a result of the full support from the participation and cooperation from various sectors of the Hong Kong community.

 

The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation would like to express our sincere thanks for the enthusiastic support and full assistance of the volunteers involved in the on site survey and also our heartfelt gratitude to the following organizations in completing the Project :

 

Sponsoring Organization:

  • ESRI China (HK)

Supporting Organizations:

  • Labour and Welfare Bureau
  • Agency for Volunteer Service
  • Direction Association For The Handicapped
  • Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, "The Hong Kong Polytechnic University"
  • Hong Kong Blind Union
  • Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth
  • Hong Kong Tourism Board
  • Rehab Volunteer, HKSR
  • The Hong Kong Society for the Blind
  • The Hong Kong Society for the Deaf
  • Vocational Rehabilitation and Retraining Centre, HKSR