Congratulations to HKIA Fellow Ar. Dr. Joseph KWAN for receiving the Rehabilitation International (RI) Centennial Award for Significant Contribution in advancing the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities worldwide, at the award presentation ceremony in conjunction with RI's Centennial Anniversary Celebrations in Beijing, China from May 20 to 23, 2023.
The RI award winners (individuals and organizations) have all made outstanding contributions to or had profound impact on the equal participation and inclusive development of persons with disabilities. By this Award, RI aims to facilitate the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promote rights protection and inclusive development of persons with disabilities around the globe. Altogether 100 awardees have been selected around the world, with four individual awardees coming from Hong Kong. Joseph Kwan is the only Architect from the RI Award list of 100.
Ar. Dr. Joseph Kwan has practised architecture in Australia, the United Kingdom and France; he founded UDA Consultants Ltd., a specialist consultancy on Universal Design and Accessibility in 2005. Since 1987, he has promoted accessibility and equality for people with disabilities globally through advocacy, education, projects, and voluntary services to over 33 countries. He served on the RI Executive Committee and is currently RI Vice-President Asia Pacific, as UIA Region IV Work Programme Director, and as access consultant/expert to ADB, UN-ESCAP, and the World Bank.
He has a distinguished career as a renowned architect, a passionate supporter of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with over 40 years’ experience in architecture, of which over 30 years have been focused on projects in universal design and accessibility to the built environment, transportation and inclusive tourism.
For more information on the Award Winners: