The EOC has been sending out messages of inclusion of people with disabilities (PWDs) in the workforce via multiple platforms. On 27 March, an article authored by EOC Chairperson, Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, was published in Ming Pao Daily News. In this opinion piece, Prof. Chan pinpointed the high unemployment and poverty rate among the PWDs and urged employers in Hong Kong, including the Government, to put aside biases and give PWDs equal employment opportunities.

Additionally, we have produced and uploaded onto the EOC YouTube channel two short videos, featuring interviews with Walter TSUI, founder of CareER, a non-profit organisation endeavouring to connect university graduates with disabilities with employers; and the management and staff of Café 8, a coffee joint operated by another non-profit organisation, The Nesbitt Centre, at Hong Kong Maritime Museum to offer people with learning difficulties training and jobs.

In April, we will release the inaugural issue of a new journal, which will delve into and dissect issues concerning the employment of PWDs from different angles.
 
On a different note, World Autism Awareness Day was observed on 2 April. Autism, like many mental disorders and learning difficulties, is often overlooked because it is not a physical ailment and is thus less “visible”. In this regard, the EOC has been trying to promote greater awareness and understanding of this condition in our community. In November 2016, for example, we published a guide for law enforcement units on how to better communicate with persons with autism when they carry out their duties.
 
People with autism can be valuable assets to society. One of the successful cases handled by CareER is in fact the matching of a person with autism who is well versed in computer programming with an IT company. The EOC encourages employers to look beyond the surface and judge job applicants by their competencies and capabilities, not characteristics that do not really affect and reflect work performance.

The EOC has extended the Equal Opportunities Diversity Project radio programme on RTHK Radio 2 for another year from April 2017. The programme features weekly interviews with representatives from different organisations on issues relating to equal opportunities.

On 6 April, the EOC invited Mr Toby HUI, Education Officer at the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong (MHAHK), to the programme to talk about a new mobile app on mental health. Launched by the Association in March 2017, this app allows people in distress to chat with a counsellor in real time (2pm to 10pm, Monday to Friday). Other functions include self-administered questionnaires for users to assess their stress and depression levels, a game, information on different types of mental disorders, and a list of organisations and hotlines providing counselling services.
 
Apart from introducing the app, Mr Hui explained the work of the MHAHK, which is dedicated to promoting public mental health and serving people with intellectual disabilities and those recovering from mental illnesses. To listen to the interview with Mr Hui as well as past episodes, please go to the programme webpage.

The 2016/17 Jockey Club Equal Opportunities Drama Project has entered the final phase. From 4 to 7 April, the school drama competition (primary section) is taking place at Sha Tin Town Hall while that of the secondary section will be held from 4 to 7 May. Meanwhile, tickets for the secondary section are now available at Urbtix. The winners’ performances are to be staged on the last day of May at Youth Square in Chai Wan.
 
The three-year Drama Project is organised by Prospects Theatre and sponsored by Jockey Club. As the supporting organisation, the EOC provides talks and workshops for the participating students and teachers on issues related to discrimination and equal opportunities. Through formal theatre training and performing, the students build up their confidence on the one hand, and help to spread messages on equality on the other hand.
 
Following the drama competitions, Prospects Theatre will organise a drama camp and youth theatre showcase during the summer. Schools that are interested in enrolling in the activities can contact the organiser.

Better protection of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals is a pressing issue in Hong Kong and many other parts of the world. On 23 March, The Economist organised its second Pride and Prejudice forum to look at how business can serve as a catalyst for change in LGBTI rights development. The forum was held in Hong Kong, London and New York successively on the same day to inspire dialogues across the world.

The Hong Kong section of the forum was supported by not just movers and shakers of the business world, but also politicians, representatives from religious groups, and NGOs, both from Hong Kong and other parts of Asia-Pacific. Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, Chairperson of the EOC, was invited to participate in a panel discussion and share his insight on finding allies for the cause.

The forum took place shortly after the EOC and the Gender Research Centre at The Chinese University of Hong Kong published a joint statement, endorsed by a total of 75 private companies, NGOs and individuals, calling for LGBTI anti-discrimination legislation in Hong Kong.
 
And on 29 March, EOC Chairperson attended the fundraising dinner of Big Love Alliance, a non-profit group advocating the rights of sexual minorities, to show the EOC’s support for LGBTI communities.