Working group looking at accessibility issues
I refer to the letter by Brian Edwards headlined 'Banks must do more for disabled' (South China Morning Post, April 24) in which he expressed concern about the accessibility of bank services for people with a disability.
The Disability Discrimination Ordinance provides that it is unlawful to discriminate against a person with a disability by refusing to allow that person access to, or the use of, any premises that the public is entitled to enter or use. It is also unlawful to discriminate against a person with a disability by refusing to provide that person with goods, services, or facilities.
The Equal Opportunities Commission has been working with the Hong Kong Association of Banks and a working group has been set up to look into the accessibility issues of banking services.
The automation of banking services can facilitate people with a disability to live more independently. There are currently about 430,000 persons with a disability in Hong Kong. They are part of this community. Successful companies recognise that equal opportunities practices enhance their competitive edge.
We encourage all service providers to consider the needs of people with a disability, because they enlarge the market share for service providers and they, like all consumers, deserve the service providers' attention.
MARIANA LAW PO-CHU
Senior Equal Opportunities Officer
Equal Opportunities Commission
