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The Government is committed to helping people with disabilities to integrate into the community through promoting a barrier-free environment and a full range of facilitating measures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said today (December 9).
Speaking at the presentation ceremony of the Caring Environment Recognition Scheme and opening ceremony of the International Day of Disabled Persons 2007, Mr Cheung said, "The creation of a barrier-free environment, which facilitates people with disabilities to access buildings and facilities, is essential to their integration into society."
To this end, the Government has set out the requirements of access to buildings in the "Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 1997". "To keep the design standards in the manual up to date, we have conducted a comprehensive review recently and have come up with a number of amendments. The necessary legislative work is to be completed next year. By then, the new requirements will be implemented with a view to further improving the passages and environment of Hong Kong for more people with disabilities to take part in community activities," Mr Cheung said.
The Caring Environment Recognition Scheme, co-organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and the 18 District Councils, aims to raise general awareness of a barrier-free environment.
By giving recognition to buildings providing exemplary barrier-free access and facilities, the scheme seeks to encourage all sectors of the community to follow suit.
Apart from promoting a barrier-free environment, the Government also offers employment assistance to people with disabilities. Mr Cheung made an appeal to business organisations to give more job opportunities to the group at the 11th Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Charity Fun Day earlier today.
"Employing people with disabilities is beneficial to businesses in many ways. They will have a larger pool of talents for recruitment and would be able to enhance staff development, build up team spirit and promote a positive corporate image," Mr Cheung said.
He added that the Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department provides one-stop services in assisting employers to recruit people with disabilities who have the necessary skills. In addition, the Labour Department and Social Welfare Department offer on-the-job training schemes, such as the Work Orientation and Placement Scheme and Sunnyway on the Job Training Programme for Young People with Disabilities, to help employers to gain first-hand experience in working with people with disabilities.
At present, about 80 social enterprises operated by non-profit-making rehabilitation organisations provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Mr Cheung called on the public to patronise these enterprises to support them. The Social Welfare Department's Marketing Consultancy Office stands ready to help members of the public to source goods and services from these enterprises.
Mr Cheung stressed that the support of the entire community is essential to breaking down the barriers to help persons with disabilities integrate into society. He said he hoped that different sectors of the community would work together to promote a caring culture and foster an inclusive and harmonious community.
Ends/Sunday, December 9, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:45
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