Today (21 September) saw the official launch of the “Smart City Walk” mobile app which is a navigation tool aimed at helping the visually impaired move around independently both indoors and outdoors. The mobile app has been developed by the Hong Kong Blind Union with aid from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as part of the “Jockey Club Smart City Walk Project”.

Guests attending the launch ceremony included the Club’s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung, President of Hong Kong Blind Union Chong Chan-yau, member of the Legislative Council (Information Technology) Charles Mok, Cluster Coordinator (Information Technology) of the Kowloon East Cluster of the Hospital Authority Dr Cheng Hung-kai, and Librarian of The Open University of Hong Kong Owen Tam.

Mr Cheung said the Club has been supporting projects aimed at helping those in need, such as the visually impaired, people with disabilities, the elderly and students with special educational needs, cope with the challenges and opportunities they face. The Club had encouraged and supported different sectors of the community to apply technology in carrying out diversified projects to help enhance the quality of life of more people in need.

Through utilising navigation systems such as beacons and Wi-Fi at different indoor venues, the mobile app enables visually impaired users to identify their current indoor location and surroundings and then navigate to their destination through audio instructions on their smart phones. Text navigation instructions and an indoor map are also available to support other people, such as the elderly and people with disabilities and the sighted. Around 16,000 people are expected to benefit from the project.

The “Jockey Club Smart City Walk Project” will collaborate with more venue partners to extend the reach of the mobile app to more public facilities such as university libraries, government recreational sites and commercial venues, all with the aim of helping the visually impaired move around independently and helping to build a barrier-free city. Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts, which was conserved and revitalised by the Club, has also become a venue partner of the mobile app, and will soon provide a more accessible experience for its visitors.  

The “Jockey Club Smart City Walk Project” provides training in using smart mobile devices to the visually impaired and the elderly. Public education sessions will also be organised to raise public awareness about the needs of the visually impaired. The project is supported with funding of over HK$20 million from the Trust.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2018/19, the Club made a record return to the Government of HK$23.3 billion in duty and profits tax and contributed HK$1.3 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity and community donations were HK$4.3 billion. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world’s top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.