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Dedicated portal for the elderly launched (with photos)
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     To promote digital inclusion among the elderly, "eElderly"
 (www.eElderly.hk), a dedicated portal providing one-stop information on elderly services and the silver hair market, with an elderly-friendly and easy-to-use interface, was officially launched today (June 13). The portal will greatly enhance the elderly's access to the rich pool of online information and services and their integration into the digital world.

     Addressing the portal's launching ceremony, the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang said, "Most of the existing elderly websites in Hong Kong are designed in a way that information and services are arranged by categories of respective organisations, which is not convenient for the elderly to perform a holistic search for information.

     "Through integrating the existing information effectively, eElderly allows the search for information and services by categories relevant to the interests of the elderly, caretakers and service providers. It will encourage the elderly to use digital services to keep abreast of the times and help promote the concept of inter-generational harmony," Mr Tsang said.

     The portal puts together information and services provided by the Government, non-governmental organisations and the private sector and organises them around the needs and interests of the elderly, such as those relevant to their daily lives, medical and health services, housing and care, social and recreational activities, and initiatives of the Elderly Commission, including the Elder Academy Scheme. Information on elderly products is featured as well.

     Besides the official website at "www.eElderly.hk", an easy-to- remember shortcut at "www.e123.hk" is also set up to facilitate eldersˇ¦ access to the portal.

     Meanwhile, organisations that provide elderly services can participate in the on-going development of the portal by joining as "eElderly Digital Navigation Centres" to support the elderly in learning about the computer and the Internet. The centres will work with eElderly to promote digital inclusion messages, recruit members and trainers for the website, and co-ordinate schedules in conducting introductory and training programmes for the elderly in various districts. eElderly will help the centres acquire elderly-friendly computer equipment and facilitate the publication and management of information about the centres' services on the portal.

     The initiative was announced by the Financial Secretary in the 2009-10 Budget. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer has sponsored The Hong Kong Society for the Aged to lead the development of the portal.

     For more details of eElderly, please call 3422 3963 or visit the portal at www.e123.hk.

Ends/Sunday, June 13, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:00

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