Search
Explore
Your Opinion
What’s better – wine or beer?
Sarah Fuller interview
Sarah Fuller, author of Hong Kong's first travel guide for wheelchair users, tells Steve Cheng where wheels can carry you.
How did this project come about?
The book’s been an idea I’ve had for a while. Having lived in Hong Kong for 17 years and having a father who uses a wheelchair, I know how much planning goes into organising travel for wheelchair users in Hong Kong – searching for accessible accommodation and putting together a workable itinerary of things to see and do. I’ve done this a number of times with my dad in Hong Kong and other cities in Asia, and so I thought why don’t I write a book about it, to help other people who must be asking similar questions.
Was there much info out there, when you were getting started?
One of the main reasons I wrote the book is because I found that there was almost no practical information in Hong Kong for visitors in wheelchairs like my father. There were some government department brochures about transport but they were ten to 12 years out of date.
The book is remarkably detailed and comprehensive. How did you actually put it all together?
I took seven months off because I couldn’t juggle a full-time job with writing. I put together lists of hotels, places of interest and restaurants and would plan my day in an area of Hong Kong and Kowloon, setting goals of all the places to check out there. I had a very detailed checklist for accessibility that I would go through. I had to go back at the end of the writing process to double and triple check everything, because things change so quickly in Hong Kong. It was a lot of work, but I also really enjoyed doing the research because it gave me the opportunity to rediscover Hong Kong and find things I had forgotten about.
How does Hong Kong stack up against other major cities for wheelchair users?
It’s funny, I think because I have a wheelchair user in the family, I’m constantly walking around looking for wheelchair exits and ramps and accessible areas. People may not realise that Hong Kong is actually fairly accessible. When I tell my friends that my father is coming to visit Hong Kong and he’s in a wheelchair they often look at me like I’m a little crazy. Like: “why would you bring someone here – Hong Kong is all hills?!” But there’s so much to do here, you just need to figure out how to get around and plan your day and manage your expectations. We find that with a combination of public transport and taxis, we get around 95 per cent as much as any able-bodied person would in Hong Kong.
What sites or activities would you recommend as most accessible and interesting?
I’m quite an adventurous traveller, so I tried to gear the book to suit people who have a range of interests. So whether they’re cinema goers or museum buffs or love being out on the water, there’s a lot of information on things to see and do, covering a wide spectrum of interests. It is possible to get on the Peak Tram in a manual wheelchair. We love the nature trail along the Peak circuit.
How do Asian cities compare to other parts of the world, in terms of access for those with disabilities?
Well, it really depends on which parts of Asia you’re going to. If you’re going to ancient cities, you have to be prepared for structures that aren’t modern at all, obviously. I went with my father and mother last year to Siem Reap in Cambodia, because I wanted him to see Angkor Wat. I had done two trips there before, so I knew it was going to be challenging. But the best thing about Siem Reap is really just taking in the temples from a bit of a distance; so we mapped out very carefully which temples we wanted to see and had a driver take us in. It was challenging at times, getting around on bumpy gravel and dirt surfaces, but my dad thought it was all absolutely incredible.
It sounds like you are an incredible planner.
I think so. [Laughs] It was very unfortunate that my dad had this stroke when he was just 50 years old. That was 18 years ago. It took him ten years to get well enough to be able to travel. We use travel as an inspiration for him to keep up with his occupational therapy and physical therapy. So I can see the rewards for somebody who has a disability. They are just so pleased to get away and to have that chance to travel – like all of us.
Wheel Away Disabled Travel by Sarah Fuller can be ordered online at www.wheelawaydisabledtravel.com and can be found in Hong Kong bookstores
13 reviews Add a review
Fantastic book with great picutres and descriptions of things to see and do. This book should be in everyone's pocket (yep it fits!). You dont need to be in a wheelchair to take a great ride with Wheel Away. A must have book for anyone that enjoys seeing the sights in Hong Kong!
An incredibly detailed book that is so easy to navigate through.. not only useful for wheelchair users but for pram pushers as well! Thanks Sarah for all the great ideas!!
Living in my bubble I didn't thinkm about access for those who weren't mobile. Running to get the mini bus, mtr, taxis everywhere I just thought it happened in HK. Then my mum came to saty (88yr old) and it was a very different view of HK... Service elevators, footpaths with poles in the middle, broken sidewalks and of course the road/building constuction blocks... I have a very differnt view of HK now. Sarah has made the whole process easier and even fun. Great insights and caring.
Amazingly detailed and not just for wheelchair users. It's about the best sized guidebook i've found to HKG and i gave one to my parents and they said it opened up whole areas of HKG they hadn't yet ventured to.
This treasure trove of a book gives you a whole new take on the wonders of Hong Kong. A must have guide book for anyone visiting you - wheels optional!
Great addition to the literature available for visitors to our city.
As the founder of a Special Needs NGO, I found Sarah Fuller's book authoritative, extremely useful and a most thoughtful manual for a disabled person and his/her helpers. A must for anyone navigating in a Hong Kong's street-level jungle. David N.
An excellent book for all travelers not just those confined to wheelchairs. Extremely informative and well-detailed. I would recommend this book to all visitors to Hong Kong. It's easy to navigate and has some great ideas and recommendations.
An excellent book for all travelers not just those confined to wheelchairs. Extremely informative and well-detailed. I would recommend this book to all visitors to Hong Kong. It's easy to navigate and has some great ideas and recommendations.
Having lived in HK, I can imagine how people would assume it is hard for wheelchair users to get around. However it's a really positive that the city is actually very wheelchair friendly (and possibly buggy friendly too), and this should be promoted. Everyone should be able to enjoy such a great city.
An incredibly resourceful book by an incredibly resourceful author that provides much needed help to people in wheel chairs and their families organising travel, accomodation and just getting around the "dragon's back" of Hong Kong. A must have book !
Wish i had this book, when my mother visited HK. Although not in a wheel chair, her health is not good and we saw more coffee bars than, places of interest!
What a great book - very useful for anyone who wants to visit Hong Kong, guided by Sarah who is living here, has seen the spots and places and makes excellent and very useful statements! I love it :-)
Add your review