Government To Update Figures On The Disabled: CS

The government is working on updating its figures on the number of disabled people in Hong Kong, as it undergoes a review of its support measures for the disabled.

The Chief Secretary, Matthew Cheung, wrote in a blog post published on Sunday that the Census and Statistics Department will start work on updating its figures on the disabled and chronically ill starting in the latter half of the year, with a view to publish the new data by late 2021.

Data from 2013 indicate that there were around 580,000 disabled people in the city.

At the same time, an advisory body is working on a review of the government’s strategic plan on helping the disabled for the first time in 12 years. An advisory group has been asked to come up with a series of recommendations on everything from rehabilitation services for pre-schoolers to helping disabled people find jobs.

Cheung said the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (RAC) is currently reviewing the Hong Kong Rehabilitation Programme Plan (RPP) and are planning to submit a report by the end of this year.

The committee’s last review concluded in 2007.

Cheung said the government is committed to helping the disabled to achieve their potential; have barrier-free access to their environment; enjoy equal opportunities and be included in the wider society.

He noted that the government has constantly been increasing funding for policies that help the disabled, with expenditure more than doubling from HK$16.6 billion from 2007-2008 to HK$33.9 billion last year.

However, many NGOs have criticised the government for not doing enough to help the disabled, particularly in providing barrier-free facilities.