The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) is observed every year on 3 December. Echoing the global theme of “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all,” the EOC appeals to the public on this day to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life and to shed negative, stereotypical thinking about their capabilities, which forms additional barriers to their integration. Towards this goal, the Commission’s three-year strategic priority work areas encompass urging for a functional approach in addressing the needs of persons with disability by the Government, including the adoption of a broader definition of disability in line with international standards, as well as advocating for inclusive education for students with special educational needs.

The EOC strongly supports the Motion passed by Members of the Legislative Council on 27 November 2013, calling on the Administration to provide greater support and resources to address the needs of people with disability, especially in areas such as healthcare, education, welfare, employment and transportation. And on 1 December 2013, the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW, attended the Opening Ceremony of IDPWD organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, and the Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities. The event also recognised “Caring Employers” who provide job opportunities for people with disability.

Read the Motion passed in detail
More about the EOC’s Three-Year Strategic Work Areas
The Code of Practice on Employment under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance
Barrier-free Life: the EOC’s resource webpage for people with disabilities

To assist small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to promote equal opportunities in the workplace, the EOC will hold an information booth at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s World SME Expo on 5-7 December 2013. Our theme is “A Key to Win-Win Employment Relationship: An Equal Opportunities Workplace.” Visit us at booth 1E-D08 to learn more about how to encourage a discrimination-free workplace.

Date:	5 to 7 December 2013
Time:	9:30 am to 7:00 pm (5-6 Dec 2013) 9:30 am to 6:30 pm (7 Dec 2013)
Venue:	Booth 1E-D08, Hall 1E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
*Free Admission

More information about the SME Expo
The EO Club: EOC resources for promoting equal opportunities in the workplace

On 16 November 2013, the EOC organised a sharing session of its English-language youth development programme, “Uniquely Me!” at the Commission’s office. Mr. Rohit Bhagat, Chief Inspector of Police, and Dr. Theresa Cunanan, Senior Lecturer at Hong Kong Baptist University’s College of International Education, shared with the participants their experiences of overcoming obstacles to find success. The event also featured the announcement of the winners of the Uniquely Me! Youth Photo and Slogan Competition 2013, which was rolled out earlier this year. Launched in 2010, “Uniquely Me!” aims to provide a platform for Hong Kong’s youths, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, to break down stereotypes and engage in dialogues on issues relating to diversity and inclusion. Through various activities including guest sharing sessions and youth competitions, the programme encourages young people to gain inspiration and make positive contributions to their community.

Read the press release
More about Uniquely Me!
See the Winners of the Uniquely Me! Youth Photo and Slogan Competition 2013

The EOC welcomes the Motion and amendments by Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo), which were passed on 27 November 2013, urging the Government to take concrete steps to formulate a medical policy to support ethnic minority elderly people. The Motion notes that the ethnic minority population in Hong Kong has grown over recent years, but elderly people of ethnic minority backgrounds face obstacles in accessing needed health services, including from language barriers as well as cultural and lifestyle differences, which affect their physical and psycho-social well-being. The EOC echoes the appeals of the LegCo Members and calls on the Administration to take appropriate measures in this area, including to offer targeted services for ethnic minorities and their specific needs, strengthen the training and cultural sensitivity of frontline staff, recruit more ethnic minority healthcare personnel, and provide more healthcare information in various ethnic minority languages.

View the Motion passed in detail

To promote the principles and implementation of Hong Kong’s anti-discrimination ordinances, the second batch of the Funding Programme of Research Projects on Equal Opportunities 2013/14 is currently open for application. The Funding Programme aims at encouraging eligible academia and not-for-profit organisations with inspiring ideas to undertake innovative research projects. The deadline for application for Batch 2 is 6 January 2014. The maximum funding limit of each project is HK$50,000. Interested parties can contact the EOC Office at 2511-8211 to obtain details and related application information, or click on the link below.

More details and application form
Read the press release

World AIDS Day, which falls on 1 December of every year, provides an opportune moment to reflect on our efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, including the discrimination and stigma faced by those living with HIV/AIDS. The EOC is committed to ensuring that people living with HIV/AIDS can have equal and non-discriminatory access to employment, education, services, and other aspects of daily life. On 24 November 2013, Dr. York CHOW, the EOC Chairperson, attended the launch of 《猜情尋：我們的二三事》, a book of stories of people living with HIV, at the City University of Hong Kong. In addition, Ms Garling WONG, Convenor of the EOC’s Community Participation and Publicity Committee, represented the Commission at the World AIDS Day Celebration on 30 November 2013, organised by The Rotary Club of Queensway and St. John’s Cathedral’s HIV Education Centre. On 1 December 2013, Dr. Chow was the guest of honour at AIDS Concern’s World AIDS Day event with the theme, “I’m Positive,” to cultivate an open and positive public attitude towards people living with HIV.

The EOC is also supporting The Society for AIDS Care (SAC) through our Community Participation Funding Programme on Equal Opportunities to hold a photo exhibition titled “I promise, I will not discriminate against People Living with HIV/AIDS,” with the aim of eliminating stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS. Over 4,000 snapshots of various people pledging non-discrimination will be displayed at Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard on 1, 13 and 14 December 2013.

More about AIDS Concern’s World AIDS Day event
View the Red Ribbon Album Facebook Page

December 5^th is International Volunteer Day (IVD), proclaimed by the United Nations to pay tribute to volunteers worldwide and to motivate more people to volunteer. The Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS) is dedicated to playing a proactive and pivotal role in the promotion and development of sustainable volunteerism for building a civil society and caring community. The IVD celebration is the annual highlight event of AVS, by which the spirit of “I Volunteer I Live” is expected to spread in the community and, in turn, expedite the expansion of volunteering.

More about the International Volunteer Day and volunteering