Cyber Points for blind and visually impaired open for use
09 - 06 - 2000

Community Cyber Points with computer facilities for the blind and visually impaired came into service today (June 9).

A total of 28 personal computers (PCs) specially configured and designed for the group have been installed at four blind and visually impaired agencies at a cost of about $3.7 million.

Jointly organised by the Information Technology Services Department and the Home Affairs Department, the provision of computer facilities for people with visual disability is an extension of the Community Cyber Point project.

Speaking in the opening ceremony of the Community Cyber Points for the Blind and the Visually Impaired today, the Director of Information Technology Services, Mr Lau Kam-hung, said, "At present, we have around 75,000 people who are blind or visually impaired."

"Through these facilities, people with visual disability can raise their awareness of and familiarity with the use of information technology (IT) in this Information Age," said Mr Lau.

He noted that the computers had been installed with necessary hardware and software such as power brailles for showing the text from the screen, voice synthesizers for reading the Chinese and English text, and screen enlargement software to facilitate the viewing of the screen by the group.

The furniture is also of a special design to cater for the needs of people with visual disability.

The 28 PCs for the blind and visually impaired are located at:

• The Ebenezer School and Home for the Visually Impaired in Pok Fu Lam;
• The Hong Kong Blind Union in Kwun Tong, Nam Shan Estate in Sham Shui Po and Ho Man Tin;
• The Hong Kong Retinitis Pigmentosa Society in Lai Kok Estate in Cheung Sha Wan; and
• The Hong Kong Society for the Blind in Sham Shui Po.

The Community Cyber Point project was first launched in June 1999.

The project aims at providing free computer facilities for use by the general public to promote their awareness and use of IT.

The Community Cyber Points provide members of the public with free facilities to access government information through the Internet, to perform electronic communications through free e-mail services and to obtain information from the Internet.

In June 1999, 50 PCs were installed at a number of Community Cyber Points in 20 community halls and centres for public use at a cost of $2.2 million.

The second phase of the project commenced in March this year. Fifty PCs have been installed at another 21 community halls and centres for public use.

By end of this month, another 66 PCs will be installed at new locations including offices of some non-government organisations. By the end of this year, 34 more PCs will be installed in more sites.

The estimated cost for the second phase of the project is $7.7 million.

Upon the completion of the second phase of the project, there will be a total of 228 PCs installed at the Community Cyber Points in community halls and centres and offices of non-government organisations to provide free Internet usage to the public, including people with visual disability.

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