Gov’t mulls legislation on accessible environment

The government will embark on preliminary research for legislation aimed at creating an accessible environment.

In remarks made during the Legislative Assembly (AL) yesterday, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture O Lam emphasized the importance of strengthening accessible design in both public works and private construction projects.

“This legislation is designed to benefit not only persons with disabilities but also to enhance mobility for the elderly,” she stated.

“The government is committed to supporting legislation on accessible environments,” the Secretary added.

According to O Lam, in addition to accessibility facilities for individuals with physical disabilities, the government will also take into account the needs of visually impaired and hearing-impaired individuals.

In response to a legislator’s concern regarding the participation of persons with disabilities in sports events, O Lam emphasized that “participation in sports is not only physical exercise for persons with disabilities, but also an important process of social participation.”

She pledged to enhance connections between persons with disabilities locally and internationally, create more opportunities for them to compete, and ensure that Macau has sufficient venues and specialized equipment.

Meanwhile, the official revealed that the government has made available two to three plots of land for temporary sports use, with further details to be provided by the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raymond Tam, during his appearance at the AL debate tomorrow.

One notable location is the land adjacent to the Macao East Asian Games Dome, which currently hosts a shooting range. This area may be rezoned and optimized to allow for the construction of comprehensive sports facilities within a few years, aimed at meeting diverse sports needs, according to the Secretary’s remarks yesterday.