Incident Overview

In a shocking incident, a renowned Paralympic athlete was barred from entering a popular Hong Kong restaurant due to her wheelchair, revealing serious gaps in staff training regarding disability accommodations.

Athlete's Experience

The athlete, Ho Yuen-kei, a standout boccia player who recently won two gold medals at the Paris Paralympics, took to social media to share her experience at the Thai restaurant, Ayutthaya, where she was told there was no space for her wheelchair.

Restaurant's Response

Kenneth Ng, the director of Ayutthaya, publicly acknowledged the incident and expressed his regret. In a statement, he highlighted shortcomings in the staff’s understanding of accommodating patrons with disabilities.

Legal Background

The Equal Opportunities Commission has noted that denying service based on a person’s disability is illegal under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance unless there is substantial justification proving that accommodating the individual would result in undue hardship.

Advocacy and Awareness

In her social media post, Ho expressed hope that her distressing experience would raise awareness among various stakeholders regarding the importance of barrier-free facilities.

Industry Reflection

The restaurant's controversial decision has reignited discussions about accessibility in Hong Kong, asking how many other establishments are still unprepared to welcome patrons with disabilities.

Conclusion

As conversations continue around this incident, many are left wondering if enough is being done to create inclusive societies.