In celebrating the International Day of Disabled Persons 2015 and to promote a more inclusive society, Link Asset Management Limited launched the Link Barrier Free Shopping Centre Orienteering today, 5 December. Marking its tenth anniversary this year, Link has given back around HK$3.3 billion to Hong Kong over the past decade, benefiting more than half a million people. Its community investment includes the HK$200-million barrier-free access (BFA) enhancement works at its shopping malls as well as the indirect rental subsidies of HK$3 billion to over 160 charitable organisations in Hong Kong.
Held at Stanley Plaza, the Orienteering is jointly organised with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) and the Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities under Link’s flagship charity programme, the Link Together Initiatives. Joining the Orienteering today were 20 teams comprising charitable organisation teams and five Link staff teams. Participants in the Challenge and Inclusive categories were given tasks to experience using BFA facilities and to complete daily challenges faced by people with disabilities within a given time. The VIP team, including Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung, GBS, JP, also joined the BFA Experience Tour.
Mr Cheung said, ‘I welcome the effort made by Link to enhance barrier-free-access facilities at its shopping malls. I hope Link will continue to play a leading role in providing barrier-free “physical links” in its premises and promoting a caring culture to build “mutual links” between the able-bodied and the disabled.’
Chief Executive Officer of Link Asset Management Limited George Hongchoy said, ‘To align with our corporate objective to “link people to a brighter future”, Link is dedicated to providing a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities through both hardware and software investments. Apart from our BFA enhancement works and BFA-friendly customer website, we provide our frontline staff with BFA service training to ensure we can provide the needed service for people with disabilities. We also mobilise our staff to volunteer for a variety of activities.’
Link has completed BFA enhancement works at 133 properties since 2011, with completion of BFA facilitates upgrades at all 180 Link properties scheduled within a year. Meanwhile, all Link shopping centres welcome guide dogs. To further promote social inclusion, Link also sponsors the Hong Kong Guide Dog Association’s guide dog breeding and public education programme.
Link is included in the List of Barrier-free Companies of the HKCSS. It is expected that around 100 of Link’s properties will have passed the related assessment by next year. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer also honoured Link with the Gold Award for Web for All 2015.
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