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Promoting the employment and capability development of persons with disabilities is one of the major objectives of the Government's rehabilitation policy.
Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony of the eighth Hong Kong Abilympics today (March 26), the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said that through participation in vocational skills and hobby competitions, persons with disabilities could demonstrate to the community their working capabilities and talent.
He commended the event for actively promoting equal participation and inclusion which would help enhance public recognition of the potential of persons with disabilities in different areas. This would in turn increase their chances of successful job placement and enable them to contribute to society.
Mr Cheung said, "Apart from addressing the need of persons with disabilities for caring services, we are devoted to promoting the community's appreciation and recognition of their achievements as well."
He said that the Government was committed to fostering cross-sectoral collaboration among the business sector, local communities, government departments and non-governmental organisations in promoting the employment of persons with disabilities through multi-pronged measures.
Mr Cheung added that he was glad to see those concerted efforts gradually bearing fruit.
For instance, he noted that more social welfare agencies had established voluntary indicators for the employment of persons with disabilities and formulated relevant policies and procedures; at District Council level more campaigns were organised to promote employment of persons with disabilities; and more corporations were offering employment opportunities and increasing procurement of products made and services provided by persons with disabilities through channels provided by relevant government departments and rehabilitation organisations.
Mr Cheung stressed that the Government attached great importance to the well-being of persons with disabilities. In the coming financial year, recurrent expenditure for rehabilitation services will increase by 10% to $3.7 billion. New services coming on stream will account for more than $140 million, of which $17.54 million will be allocated for providing 251 new places for day training and vocational rehabilitation services. Coupled with the allocation for recurrent expenditure already earmarked, the Government will provide a total of 986 places for day training and vocational rehabilitation services in the current and coming financial years.
Ends/Saturday, March 26, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:17
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