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The Government is committed to promoting the employment of people with disabilities, encouraging them to build up self-reliance and to integrate into the workplace and the community. Speaking at the "Let Them Shine Gala 2013" launch ceremony today (November 22), the Deputy Director of Social Welfare (Services), Mr Lam Ka-tai, said that the Social Welfare Department (SWD) has been enhancing the work capability and self-confidence of persons with disabilities through the provision of vocational rehabilitation training under the key term SEPD (which stands for Superb, Excellent, Prominent and Distinguished).
Mr Lam said, "Through running the Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities through Small Enterprise Project, the SWD has helped enhance the work opportunities of persons with disabilities by granting seed money to non-governmental organisations to set up small enterprises. So far, a total of over $62 million has been granted, sponsoring some 81 different kinds of small businesses and creating more than 620 job opportunities for persons with disabilities.
"The SWD has also launched the Financial Incentive Scheme for Mentors of Employees with Disabilities, offering cash incentives to mentors of employees with disabilities to facilitate employees with disabilities receiving subvented vocational rehabilitation services to adapt to the new job environment smoothly and to enhance their work capability. Mentors rendering assistance for a period of not less than one or two months would receive an incentive pay of $500 or $1,000 respectively," he added.
The Let Them Shine Gala is an annual territory-wide publicity event organised by the Marketing Consultancy Office (Rehabilitation) (MCOR) of the SWD, with the aim of demonstrating the diversified abilities of people with disabilities, promoting equal working opportunities and facilitating the integration of this group into the community. This year, the MCOR has set up the SEPD Facebook page as well as a YouTube channel in order to boost publicity on the working abilities of people with disabilities. The Let Them Shine Gourmet Mobile App was also developed to allow the public to access information on related catering outlets anytime, anywhere.
The "Let Them Shine Gala 2013" is being held between November 22 and 24 at Shatin Town Hall Plaza. An array of services and products offered by people with disabilities will be on display at more than 10 exhibition booths.
Other officiating guests attending the ceremony include the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities, Mr Ivan Ho, and the Chairman of Support the Employment of People with Disabilities Limited, Ms Catherine Wong. Renowned dancer Mr Tommy Guns LY, who starred in the popular movie "The Way We Dance", will also perform at the Gala to help demonstrate the infinite potential of people with disabilities.
Ends/Friday, November 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:50
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