Services for People with a Disability

Allocation and Conversion

In allocation of flats, the Department will consider the case of each disabled person individually and provide him/her with the most appropriate ancillary facilities. To enable disabled persons to use their wheelchairs, the Department will offer them, where possible, flats accessible by lift, widen the doorway or build a ramp. If a flat has to be converted to suit the needs of a person with a disability, the Housing Authority will undertake the full cost incurred. Conversion works include replacement of the asiatic w .c. pan by the pedestal type, installation of grab rails in the bathroom, raising the floor slab of the balcony to make it level with that of the living room, etc.

Transfer

If conversion of the existing flat is not feasible due to constraints, a disabled person and his family may apply for transfer to a flat in the same or another estate. The Department will consider their applications on individual merits and make appropriate arrangement as far as possible.

Home Ownership Scheme/Private Sector Participation Scheme

When families with a disabled member apply for a Home Ownership Scheme/Private Sector Participation Scheme flat, they may specify on the application form the type of disabilities being suffered by that family member and the reasons for choosing a particular court. If the application is successful, they will be accorded a certain degree of priority in flat selection.

Concessionary Parking Fee at Half Rate

Drivers with a disability living or working in public housing estates may apply to the estate office for a concessionary deduction of 50% on monthly or hourly parking fees.

Flashing-light Doorbells

The Department will also install flashing-light doorbells for the deaf so that they may know when they have to answer the door. If necessary, a deaf person may also request his neighbours, through arrangements made by the estate office, to help him in case of fire or emergency.

Guide Dog

Although it is against the condition in tenancy agreement to keep a dog in public housing estates, special consideration may be given to the blind and the visually impaired who have demonstrated a genuine need for a guide dog as companion and guide.

Others

Provisions to enable free access for people with disabilities have been incorporated in the design for the new public housing estates since February 1998. All public amenities are designed to be as barrier-free as possible.

In established estates, modification works such as provision of ramps for wheel- chair-bounded persons and installation of braille in lift panel for visually impaired persons are being carried out where necessary to facilitate access and mobility for people with disability in the estates.

Blind persons living in public housing estates may request the estate office to keep them informed of any suspension of electricity, water, gas supply, lift service, etc.

If families with members with a disability need other supportive services, such as home help, rehabilitation service, counselling, etc., they may directly or through the assistance of the estate office concerned make enquiries to the Social Welfare Department.
 

*Source: Housing Department Management Branch, General Housing Policies on Application for Public Housing and Home Ownership Scheme, Estate Management, Squatter Control and Clearance, Section B, Chapter 19, 1 April 2001.