Article Series
Author: Rehabilitation Alliance Hong Kong
Publication Year: 2024
The previous module mentioned that the first manual regarding accessibility standards was published in 1984. It took 13 years to complete the review for the second manual, and there was an 11-year gap between the second and third manuals. Since the third manual was established, it has been 16 years. An accessibility standards manual is a legally binding guideline set by the government, aimed at providing appropriate facilities and support for individuals in need to participate in society. This facilitation is of utmost importance.
Society is undergoing rapid changes, urban economic development, accompanied by shifts in population structure, aging, and the fast-paced evolution of technology, all of which require standards to face various transformations. Standards that have remained unchanged for over a decade cannot adequately address the societal changes and the emerging needs of a diverse society, such as the dual needs of elderly persons with disabilities and the prevalence of smart devices. One cannot help but question whether the existing design manuals can accommodate these needs.
Sharing practices and experiences from neighboring areas, both Singapore and Japan have set a review cycle of five years. This five-year review can ensure that standards encompass new technologies and ideas, allowing for new revisions to address the emerging needs of persons with disabilities within five years of the regulation’s implementation. These can be considered in the next handbook review, keeping pace with advancements while also being forward-looking.
With the development of an aging society, sticking to the concept of “accessibility”, which simply applies to facility construction, information exchange, and transportation networks, can no longer meet actual needs. More relevant to social development and the needs of specific groups, both domestically and internationally have moved towards the application of “universal design”, emphasising equality and focusing on designs that are suitable for everyone, accommodating various differences without requiring additional care, thereby practicing true integration.
In 2023, when the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress reviewed “Law of the People’s Republic of China on Barrier-Free Environment Construction”, it cited President Xi Jinping’s views, stating that “the construction of barrier-free facilities is a mark of a country’s and society’s civilisation, and it must be given high priority”. Subsequently, the central government implemented the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on Barrier-Free Environment Construction” in September 2023, which also emphasised the importance of the review cycle for barrier-free laws. After its implementation, the promotion of barrier-free environment construction saw domestic institutions and enterprises increasingly supporting it.
The concept of “barrier-free environment construction” applied domestically is essentially “universal design”, which permeates all levels, from facility construction, information exchange, to social services, legal safeguards, and regulatory systems. It is evident that the country is undergoing innovative changes that benefit the aging society and cater to diverse needs.
The aging society we face requires more breadth and depth than the mainland, yet we remain stuck under the concept of accessibility. Whether it is the standards of the “Design Manual”, urban development strategies, community planning, traffic network support, housing design, information technology, and so on, we are lagging behind in many aspects. We must confront this and respond as quickly as possible to the country’s determination to promote “barrier-free environment construction”, advancing accessibility and optimizing from the very foundation.
