Benefits of building a barrier-free city will outweigh the costs

It is not news that the price for space in Hong Kong is among the highest in the world's most developed cities; as the Chinese analogy describes: "every inch of space is gold". Certainly, all Hong Kong residents are very aware of the economic pressures this high cost per square foot brings, and the impact on their lifestyle. But one critical longer-term impact has largely escaped our notice: our collective loss of freedom.

Hong Kong is known for its convenience, including the proximity of goods and services and a highly efficient public transport system. But this convenience applies only to a proportion of the population, that is, those of us who are strong and agile.

For others, such as the elderly or those in wheelchairs, an otherwise simple journey is difficult - if possible at all - often requiring significant detours through back doors or service areas, or filled with obstacles such as a door that is simply too heavy to open.

Enhanced barrier-free access, or universal accessibility, is the art of creating environments that maximise usability with flexibility for people with different abilities and ages without discrimination. In Hong Kong, this is merely an idea on paper, with some lip service thrown in, perhaps, but still an idea lacking in care, technical knowledge and execution.

Some Hong Kong people may have wrongly assumed that we've already taken steps towards inclusion, given that the international symbol of accessibility - a wheelchair - is frequently seen. It needs to be understood, however, that the existence of signage alone does not make a space accessible in reality.

In fact, full universal access does not require any signage that segregates or stigmatises any party; everything is simply functional for all.