Few outlets with access for disabled
Only a few fast-food restaurants and one supermarket giant in Hong Kong provide easy access for disabled customers, a survey has found.
The Barrier-free City Concern Alliance inspected facilities for handicapped consumers at dozens of restaurants, supermarkets and post offices between May and August last year. The group also received 320 questionnaires from handicapped customers in 18 districts.
The alliance welcomed the efforts by McDonald's, Maxim's and Parknshop.
Nearly 90 per cent of respondents complained about not being able to get into supermarkets because barriers had been erected to prevent people stealing shopping trolleys. Sixty per cent said fast-food restaurants did not provide movable chairs, and 78 per cent said the toilets lacked handrails.
The director of the Environmental Advisory Service, Joseph Kwan Kwok-lok, said conditions in Hong Kong were worse than the mainland. 'Restaurants, supermarkets and shops generally do not make any attempt to provide easy access for disabled customers.'
