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Drivers carrying disabled people will be able to use disabled bays in car parks operated by The Link Reit  from next month  after a rule change.
The Link Reit, which operates retail outlets and 178 car parks in housing estates across the city, made the announcement after lobbying from   non-governmental organisations.
Those with parking certificates for Drivers Carrying People with Mobility Disabilities will also be eligible for a 50 per cent price reduction for both hourly and monthly parking.
'Our car parks are by some of the most visited tourist sights,'  said Link Reit spokesman Crystal Wong.   'This  change allows more people to see Hong Kong.'
Hong Kong issues two types of parking permits to those who  have disabilities.
The  Disabled Person's Parking Permit is for those who are handicapped but can drive their own car.
The Parking Certificate for Drivers Carrying People with Mobility Disabilities (PWD) is issued to the drivers of those who are severely disabled and unable to drive themselves.
At the end of last year  there were 230 valid PWD certificate holders.
As these people require able- bodied drivers, the driver is not considered eligible to park in disabled spaces.
Direction, a group working for the equal rights of all types of disabled drivers, said  this discriminatory treatment was also applied  in parking facilities at hospitals.
'The government is providing quite a lot of parking privileges to those who are disabled but still able to drive, but not to us,' said Christine Leung,  vice-chairwoman of Direction. 'Wherever I go I need someone to take care of me.  On public transport this means I have to pay double wherever I go because I have no choice.'
The group praised the action taken by The Link Reit, saying it hoped it would encourage the disabled to be more mobile in the community, but added that more  needed to be done.
 The Hospital Authority does not allow PWD drivers to use disabled spaces, but a spokesman said  the views expressed by the concerned groups would be taken for review and consideration.
 Wilson Parking, which manages 15 sites for the government,  said  PWD holders could in general park their vehicles in designated disabled bays, but  there was no  fee concession.
The Transport Department confirmed this also applied  at its other car parks across the city.



Link Reit revises  car-parking policy for drivers of the disabled