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Art exhibition by persons with disabilities to promote integration
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     A five-week exhibition, aimed at promoting the participation of persons with disabilities in arts and cultural activities and their integration with the community, was officially opened today (December 12).

     It is hoped that the event, titled ˇ§Arts Exhibition 2008 of Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Schemeˇ¨, will enhance public understanding of what persons with disabilities are capable of.

     The event is organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau in association with the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong.

     The theme of the exhibition, Nurturing, means that persons with disabilities can nurture an interest in arts and cultural activities, enhance their skills and show their talent after training.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, the Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Mr Stephen Sui, said, ˇ§Taking part in arts and cultural activities can have a positive effect on the rehabilitation and development of persons with disabilities. It also helps foster interpersonal communications and facilitates their integration into society.

     ˇ§The Government supports the development of persons with disabilities in the arts and cultural field. We actively promote a barrier-free environment to enable them to showcase their artworks and contribute to society with the support of various sectors.ˇ¨

     The exhibition features more than 1,000 exhibits, all of which were created by the participants of the School-based Arts Project, Train-the-Trainer Workshops and Basic Training Programmes under the Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Scheme this year.

     The scheme, a pilot project for nurturing persons with disabilities in the arts and cultural field, has offered arts training programmes to more than 6,000 students in special schools and more than 1,000 persons with disabilities each year since its inception in 2003.

     The exhibition, held at the Exhibition Gallery of Tuen Mun Town Hall, is open to the public from yesterday to January 16, 2009. Admission is free. For details of the event, or booking guided tours and art educational activities, please call 2509 4917.

Ends/Friday, December 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:15

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