Topic: Is our city friendly to the handicapped? Write a letter to the editor to voice your views.
Dear Editor,
Hong Kong is notorious for how most locals are mean to people not from Hong Kong, seen from how they call people from the mainland or even Southeast Asian countries rude names and keep an unwelcoming attitude towards them. However, I have observed another growing trend of the city being unfriendly — this time, the victims are the handicapped.
The number of the handicapped is not too large in the city but it is not uncommon to see them on the streets, sometimes struggling with things other people consider as easy tasks. The city seems to have neglected the fact that they are the people having limitations in their physical and mental ability, definitely deserving much more support than what they are receiving now from the community.
Undeniably, there is a lack of government support. In terms of public facilities, some of the needy have expressed their disappointment in how many facilities are in fact not user-friendly. The tactiles on streets for guiding the blind do not cover all places and sometimes noisy streets even cover the warning sounds from zebra crossings. Both problems not only add to the inconvenience of the blind but may also impose danger onto people with impaired vision. People who need to stay on wheelchairs also find it difficult to get to different places. While most government centers provide lifts near the entrances and exits, some places in Hong Kong still make the lives of the handicapped difficult. For example, some MTR stations require people to go to different lifts in order to arrive at the lobby and the lifts are placed at the opposite ends of the floor. Having to get across one platform and another only makes the journey of the handicapped time-consuming. Such inconsiderate designs show that the government has not done enough to cater to the needs of the public. Our city is definitely not friendly to the handicapped when even the government does not take lead in offering them adequate support.
The government should not be solely blamed and it is important to point out that the unchanged mentality of people also plays an important role in making the handicapped feel unwelcomed. Many people still hold misconceptions about the disabled and are not being understanding. The cold stares and annoyed faces people shown to the physically-unfit could attack their already low self-esteem. Sometimes it is just because they use crutches and need more time walking that they unconsciously block the road but then are looked down upon. The same cases happen at the workplace. Employers are less likely to employ the handicapped, assuming that they will lower the productivity or need special care, as some might have difficulties understanding instructions and do not work efficiently. It is crystal clear that employers are judging books by their covers — their biased minds judge the working ability of the handicapped before they even start working. The disabled deserve equal opportunities as those of ordinary workers and should not be discriminated. It is acceptable to have concerns, but people should at least try to be understanding and willing to offer a helping a hand, which is also rarely found in Hong Kong. The attitude people hold towards the handicapped causes them to have unfriendly behaviours.
Yet the situation is not irreversible. Education is the key. People being unfriendly are usually caused by the lack of understanding towards the handicapped. By providing them more knowledge on what difficulties the needy face in daily lives and what exactly can be done to help them, the public will be less hesitant to help when seeing someone in need as they have more confidence that they are doing the right thing. More suitable measures and facilities helping the handicapped will also be designed and built after people truly know the needs of their targets.
It is hoped that education will bring about a friendlier city towards the handicapped and help them feel at ease. After all, our city should be the place we call ‘home’ to both the healthy and handicapped.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Wong
Chris Wong
2017-18 5C
Chong Mei Sze