RI Regions
Asia & Pacific

Joseph Kwan is an Architect and Consultant in Universal Accessibility who received his architectural training in Australia, and later in Environmental Psychology from the United Kingdom. He is awarded the degree of Doctor of the University by the Queensland University of Technology Council in 2020. He has more than 40 years of experience in international architectural practice having worked in Australia, United Kingdom, France and now over 30 years in Hong Kong. Joseph has been the Director of a Hong Kong NGO for 18 years that focused on making Hong Kong more accessible for the elderly and people with disabilities, to the built environment and public transportation. He is the Founding Director of UDA Consultants Ltd. (Universal Design and Accessibility Consultants) in Hong Kong since 2005. Joseph was a Consultant to the UN-ESCAP, on the preparation of a Technical Guideline on the “Promotion of Non-Handicapping Environments for Disabled and Elderly Persons in the Asia – Pacific Region”, and also a Resource Person for the UN-ESCAP on “The Regional Training of Trainers Course on the Promotion of Non-Handicapping Environments for People with Disabilities”. He is their current Expert/Consultant on the promotion of Barrier-Free Tourism in Asia and the Pacific. He was a Consultant to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on the preparation of a Technical Guideline on “Universal Access to ADB Transport Projects”, in addition to advising on accessibility to the proposed MRT Systems in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Joseph was a Member of the ISO (International Standards Organization) Working Group on the drafting of the Standard entitled: “Accessibility and Usability of the Built Environment” 2011, and is currently serving in the Working Group on the Review of this Standard. He is a Member of the Hong Kong Government Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (RAC), a Member of the Working Group on Hong Kong Rehabilitation Programme Plan (RPP) 2020-30 Review, a Convenor of the RPP Task Force on Accessibility and the Chairman of RAC Sub-committee on Access. Since 1987, Joseph Kwan has prepared over 300 Personal Injury legal reports, for people who sustained personal injuries, for the Legal Aid Department, private Solicitors and Lawyers in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Canada. He has extensive lecture experiences in the field of access and universal design at the local, regional and international level having lectured in 33 countries.
News & Events
Rehabilitation International Education Commission Side Event
16th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD “Universal Design in Kindergarten and School, - guidelines and universal tools” Aiming to promote the cause of inclusive education and its pivotal role in promoting...
Xi sends congratulatory letter to Rehabilitation International Centennial Celebration
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the Rehabilitation International Centennial Celebration on Sunday. On China's 33rd national day of assisting persons with disabilities on Sunday, Xi extended his greetings to all individuals with...
UN Secretary-General António Guterres sends message on RI Centennial Celebration
By Wang Yanfang Intro: UN Secretary-General António Guterres sent a congratulatory message on Rehabilitation International’s Centennial Celebration as it officially got underway on May 21, 2023. The centennial of Rehabilitation International (RI) officially got...
‘We Sing for You’ performed for Rehabilitation International’s centennial
By Wang Yanfang Intro: “We Sing for You,” a song written by Zhang Haidi, president of Rehabilitation International (RI) and chairperson of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), to honor RI’s 100th anniversary, was performed by singers with China Disabled...
RI’s illuminating torch handed to China
By Wang Yanfang Intro: The relay race to build a beautiful life for one billion people with disabilities in the world continues, and China is going to accompany Rehabilitation International moving forward. Zhang Haidi (third from left), president of Rehabilitation...
RI announces landmark declaration in Beijing
By Wang Yanfang Intro: Zhang Haidi, president of Rehabilitation International (RI) and chairperson of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), together with four other RI executive committee members, issued the landmark Beijing Declaration at the opening...
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