The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) announced today (February 6) that a new batch of government-funded mobile apps developed by non-profit social service organisations has been launched. All five mobile apps are now available for free download via the webpage www.ogcio.gov.hk/en/dima.

     "Information and communications technology (ICT) such as mobile apps brings convenience to our daily lives. However some people, like the elderly and the underprivileged groups, may not be able to enjoy fully the advantages of technology advancement. In this regard, the Government has been implementing various initiatives to facilitate needy groups to improve their quality of life with technology. These include funding support for non-profit social service organisations to collaborate with the ICT industry in developing customised mobile apps to provide practical and user-friendly contents and services," a spokesman for the OGCIO said.

     The newly launched mobile apps were developed by non-governmental organisations that have been serving the relevant target groups, including persons with visual or hearing impairment, elders and children with learning difficulties or Down Syndrome, in the community. With a good understanding of the target groups, these mobile apps can better cater for their needs in terms of contents and services, thus enhancing their quality of life and learning abilities. Details of the five mobile apps are as follows:
 

Mobile apps	Non-profit social service organisations responsible for app development
Tap My Dish Provides speech augmented food menu information for persons with visual impairment	Hong Kong Blind Union
Smart and Fit DS Kids Provides training for children with Down Syndrome on their muscular and co-ordination abilities	Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association
AngeLINK Assists elderly persons to produce booklets of life memories	Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association
Early Literacy Provides training for children with learning difficulties on their reading and writing abilities	SAHK
Silence Sign Language Interpretation App Provides an instant sign language interpretation service for persons with hearing impairment using video communication	Silence Limited

     Since 2012, the Government has launched three rounds of application for the OGCIO's funding scheme to support non-profit social service organisations to develop mobile apps that cater for the needs of the underprivileged groups. A total of 17 mobile apps have been funded and developed for free use (full details are available at www.ogcio.gov.hk/en/dima).

Ends/Monday, February 6, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:06

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