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The Social Welfare Department today (April 23) invited eligible individuals to apply for "The Jockey Club IT Scheme for People with Visual Impairment (Sixth Round)" and "Central Fund for Personal Computers (18th Round)". The deadline for applications of both schemes is June 6.
The Jockey Club IT Scheme for People with Visual Impairment
The objectives of the scheme are to support non-governmental and non-profit making organisations providing services/schooling to people with visual impairment (PVI) and tertiary institutions to acquire advanced Chinese screen readers and Braille displays to facilitate PVI's surfing in the information world on Internet; and subsidise individual PVI in need to purchase these devices for the purpose of studies or employment.
The supported items of this scheme are advanced Chinese screen reader, such as Chinese JAWS or its compatible; and Braille display of 40 cells, such as Focus 40 or PAC Mate or its compatible.
Successful organisational applicants will be sponsored in the installation of Chinese screen reader (maximum $9,800 per set) and Braille display (maximum $36,000 per set). For successful individual applicants, the subsidy for Chinese screen reader will not be more than $9,800 and for Braille display, 75% of the cost or $27,000, whichever is the less, for procurement of the item(s).
Eligible organisations may complete the designated proforma to tender their applications. For individual applicants, their application must have nomination from rehabilitation units of the Social Welfare Department, subvented non-governmental rehabilitation organisations, the students affairs offices of local tertiary institutions, principals of local secondary/primary schools, or Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department and should be submitted vide the designated form with the quotations of the concerned items by nominating organisations. The department has sent letters to the relevant organisations to invite their tendering of nominations.
For enquiries, please contact the Rehabilitation and Medical Social Services Branch, Social Welfare Department at 2892 5652, through email to srm3@swd.gov.hk, or fax to 2119 9035.
Central Fund for Personal Computers
The fund aims to assist people with disabilities in acquiring the required computer facilities and in implementing their business plans or receiving supported employment training at home. Applicants must be users of rehabilitation services of and nominated by the department, subvented rehabilitation organisations or the Selective Placement Division of Labour Department and:
(a) have difficulties in engaging in open employment;
(b) produce a viable business plan involving the use of computer facilities;
(c) have financial difficulty in acquiring the required computer facilities;
(d) be capable of using computers to carry out the income generating activities in accordance with the business plan; and
(e) have obtained the consent of the nominating organisations to provide guidance and follow-up services after the acquisition of the computer facilities.
For enquiries, please contact the Rehabilitation and Medical Social Services Branch, Social Welfare Department at 2892 5156, through email to srm5@swd.gov.hk, or fax to 2119 9035.
For details of the above schemes, public are welcome to browse the Social Welfare Department Website http://www.swd.gov.hk or CyberAble.net http://www.CyberAble.net (Information Notes and Application Forms can be downloaded from the websites).
Ends/Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:40
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