Phnom Penh: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management and Urban Planning, Chea Sophara, has instructed all departments under his jurisdiction to strengthen the implementation of accessibility guidelines standards at buildings to make them easier to access for people with disabilities. These include all public service institutions, such as administrative buildings, schools and hospitals, as well as housing estates, hotels, restaurants, markets and factories.

The Minister says people with disabilities must be considered during construction work too. All new projects that apply for a construction permit must have infrastructure, facilities and services for people with disabilities, such as special traffic lanes, ramps, toilets and signage. He says authorities must inspect and monitor all construction work in accordance with the permits so that these facilities are in place.

He’s warned that if construction is completed and the infrastructure for people with disabilities has not been built or installed then that development will not receive a licence to operate.