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The Social Welfare Department today (May 2) invited eligible organisations and individuals to apply for The Jockey Club IT Scheme for People with Visual Impairment (Second Round) to acquire equipment to facilitate people with visual impairment (PVI) surf in the information world on the Internet. The deadline for applications is June 2, 2006.
The objectives of the scheme are to support non-governmental and non-profit organisations providing services/schooling to PVI and tertiary institutions to acquire advanced Chinese screen readers and Braille displays and subsidise individual PVI in need to purchase these devices for study 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 PowerBraille or PAC Mate or its compatible.
Successful organisational applicants will be provided with Chinese screen reader and Braille display. 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 department, subvented non-governmental rehabilitation organisations, the students affairs offices of local tertiary institutions, principals of local secondary 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 telephone 2892 5132, through email to srm2@swd.gov.hk, or fax to 2119 9035. People are welcome to browse the department Website http://www.swd.gov.hk or CyberAble.net http://www.cyberable.net (the Information Notes, Proforma and Application Form can be downloaded from the websites).
Ends/Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:54
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