中文版

  1. The EOC Chairperson Briefs LegCo Panel on Constitutional Affairs

Icon on strategic plan

The EOC Chairperson, Dr. York Chow Yat-Ngok, briefed the Legislative Council’s Panel on Constitutional Affairs on 17 June 2013 on the EOC’s three-year strategic plan. Dr. Chow noted the following as the priority areas for the EOC’s work going forward: the Discrimination Law Review; Advocating Legal Protection for Sexual Minorities from Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity; Education and Employment Opportunities for Ethnic Minorities; Integrated Education for Students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and its Impact on Employment Opportunities; and Disability Discrimination in the Performance of Government Functions. Dr. Chow also summarised the three major projects the EOC is currently undertaking, namely the Anti-Sexual Harassment Campaign; the Review of the Code of Practice on Employment under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO); and the Follow-up on the Formal Investigation Report on Accessibility in Publicly Accessible Premises. At the Meeting, the Government also updated the Panel on its progress in following up on the EOC's legislative amendment proposal related to the scope of protection against sexual harassment under the SDO.


Read the EOC’s submission to the Panel on our Strategic Plan
Read the Government’s submission to the Panel on the EOC’s proposal to expand the scope of protection against sexual harassment under the SDO

*********************************************

  1. The EOC Reports on Work Plans and Progress

Icon on work plan

Members of the EOC met on 20 June 2013 at the 102nd EOC Meeting to discuss various matters related to the Commission’s business. This included the three-year strategic plan with five priority areas as presented to the Legislative Panel on Constitutional Affairs on 17 June, which has incorporated the views of over 130 stakeholder groups who have met with the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW, since he assumed office in April 2013. The EOC Board discussed the details and scopes of the Discrimination Law Review, including the proposed public consultations on consolidation and strengthening of the existing anti-discrimination ordinances as well as the addition of new grounds for protection such as sexual orientation and gender identity. The EOC Members also discussed the plan for organising the second EOC Forum in September 2013, with the aim of enhancing the Commission’s transparency and improving governance by soliciting views of key stakeholders.


Read the press release
Read the EOC Blog

*********************************************

  1. Commit to Act, Commit to Change
    The EOC Chairperson urges decisive action to address the issue of sexual violence

Poster on preventing sexual violence

Sexual violence is an immense obstacle to our vision of a just and inclusive society. On 8 June 2013, the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW Yat-Ngok, delivered the opening remarks to the spring workshop at the University of Hong Kong, “Commit to Act, Commit to Change: Walk the Mile with Survivors of Sexual Abuse.” In his speech, Dr. Chow reiterated that sexual harassment has been and will continue to be one of the EOC’s priority areas. He highlighted the issue of stigma associated with sexual violence, which has the effect of victim-blaming and holds many victims back from seeking justice. “We must work together to build an environment where victims of sexual violence can speak out. To begin with, we need to confront the issue head-on and reflect on gender stereotypes prevalent in our mindset, which underpins systemic injustice,” said Dr. Chow.


Read the speech (in English only)

*********************************************

  1. Access for All
    The EOC supports barrier-free web access for people with visual impairment

Group Photo of the Launching Ceremony of “WAFA – Web Access For All” social enterprise project

Although advances in technology have widened accessibility for people with disability, a number of technological tools such as mobile application designs still often fail to meet the needs of people with disability including people with visual impairment. On 15 June 2013, Dr. York CHOW Yat-Ngok, the EOC Chairperson, was an officiating guest at the launching ceremony of "WAFA – Web Access For All,” a social enterprise project set up by the Hong Kong Blind Union. The programme aims to promote accessible digital technology as well as to create employment opportunities for persons with visual impairment. The launching ceremony was followed by the release of the survey results on "Visually Impaired Persons’ Habits in Using Internet & Mobile Applications,” which found that approximately half of web users with visual impairment feel that web designs are not accessible to them. At the event, Dr. Chow urged web and mobile app designers to consider the needs of people with visual impairment in their design, in order to facilitate their full use of and access to the information and services. Dr. Chow cited as an example the recently-launched EOC iPhone App, which was designed with barrier-free access as a key consideration. A feature of the app is the mini-game entitled “Dark Maze,” which enables players to experience a simulated aspect of the life of persons with visual impairment and can be played by everyone, including people with visual or hearing impairment.


More information on WAFA – Web Access for All (in Chinese only)
Learn more about the accessibility features of the EOC iPhone App

*********************************************

Visit our website or download the EOC mobile app (Apple App Store / Google Play) to stay updated on the EOC’s work and positions, and to review our press releases and calendar training. Also, stay tuned on other equal opportunities issues and community initiatives by visiting our community resources and community events pages for information from our community partners, including publications, survey reports, publicity campaigns, and upcoming conferences.