Barrier-free: Chief Executive Donald Tsang and a youngster at the Margaret Trench Red Cross School.

The user-friendly Margaret Trench Red Cross School signifies the Government's commitment to serving the disadvantaged in the best possible way, Chief Executive Donald Tsang says.

The Ngau Chi Wan facility is a special school designed and built by the Architectural Services Department for disabled students. Many features are designed to aid student mobility and give them confidence to meet the challenges they may face in life. The facilities also help foster a happy learning environment.

The department was presented with a design merit award by the Institute of Architects last year for the school's universal accessibility.

Touring the school today, Mr Tsang said: "I am pleased that the department has successfully built a user-friendly school. The award-winning design signifies the Government's commitment to serving the disadvantaged in the best possible way, and our efforts are recognised by the industry."

Quick response

Mr Tsang then visited the department's repair call centre in Hung Hom. It handles about 320,000 calls a year for repairs to 8,000 Government buildings and 5,800 Government slopes.

Partnering with contractors for minor repairs, the centre offers an immediate response to callers through the use of a computerised system. It has a tracing system to ensure that repairs are followed through by its staff and contractors.

Mr Tsang said the centre has made good use of technology to ensure that repair work is handled expeditiously and satisfactorily. It has also set a good example of successful partnership between the public and private sectors.  

Strategic roles

Before ending his visit, Mr Tsang met the department's frontline staff.

They have adapted well to the changes arising from the department's re-engineering programme, which will enable it to outsource 90% of its new projects by 2008-09 and to focus on the more strategic roles.

"Through the joint efforts of staff under the re-engineering programme, the department has been able to operate more efficiently and effectively, enabling it to better serve the community," Mr Tsang said.