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SWD to invite applications for fifth batch of Support Programme for Employees with Disabilities
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     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) will be inviting employers of persons with disabilities to submit the fifth batch of applications for the Support Programme for Employees with Disabilities (SPED) tomorrow (June 16).

     To support the employment of persons with disabilities, the SWD launched the SPED in June 2013 to provide employers of persons with disabilities with a one-off subsidy for each employee with disabilities for procurement of assistive devices and/or workplace modifications. The SPED aims to assist employees with disabilities in discharging their duties at the workplace and enhance their work efficiency.

     The subsidy is basically capped at a maximum support level of $20,000 for each employee with disabilities. Starting from 2014-15, a grant up to $40,000 may be considered for deserving cases for which the price of a single assistive device and its essential accessories being applied for has exceeded $20,000.

     A wide range of assistive devices and workplace modifications which cater to the special needs of employees with disabilities at the workplace will be considered. Examples are computer accessories or adaptive equipment, optical magnifying devices, hearing and assistive devices, Braille products and handrails.

     The SWD has commissioned the Po Leung Kuk to serve as the SPED Administrator. The Po Leung Kuk will assist to administer and promote the SPED, provide advisory services and follow up on the progress of the subsidised programmes, prepare assessments on the applications and make recommendations to the Committee on the SPED set up by the SWD for consideration.

     Employers may apply for subsidy under the SPED through nomination of the following referring organisations:

(a) non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating SWD-subvented vocational rehabilitation services;
(b) NGOs running training courses for persons with disabilities or persons recovering from work injuries with the funding support of the Employees Retraining Board;
(c) the Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department;
(d) the Vocational Training Council; or
(e) the SPED Administrator (the Po Leung Kuk).

     The deadline for the fifth batch of applications is July 25, 2014. Employers may submit their completed application forms together with the required documents by mail or by hand to the SWD through the referring organisations. No application fee is required and each applicant may submit more than one application.

     For enquiries, please contact the Po Leung Kuk SPED Office by phone at 3980 9677, by email at sped@poleungkuk.org.hk or by fax at 3980 9633.

     For details, the information note and the application form of the SPED, please visit and download from the SWD homepage at www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_rehab/sub_listofserv/id_sped/.

Ends/Sunday, June 15, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:01

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