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Winning stories of EOC’s writing competition came to life on stage
As Robin Williams said in the acclaimed film Dead Poets Society, “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” The moving power of stories is evidenced by the winners of EOC’s “Employment Equality Project – Writing Competition”, recently announced at a fun-filled public event at Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre on 19 May that aimed to promote equal employment opportunity for people with disabilities (PWDs). Co-organised by the EOC and Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 1, the event was graced by the presence of The Hon SHIU Ka-chun, Chairman of the Legislative Council’s Panel on Welfare Services, who presented certificates and prizes to the winners; Mr David LEUNG, Commissioner for Rehabilitation; Mr David HO Chung-yan, Head of RTHK Radio 1; and Ms Teresa MO, Best Actress winner at the 37th Hong Kong Film Awards. They joined Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, Chairperson of the EOC, to perform the launch ceremony.
Comprised of a Youth Division and an Open Division, the competition invited members of the public to write about their experience being PWDs or living and working with PWDs. From a light-hearted self-portrait of a visually impaired girl to an inspirational account of the attentive service of a waiter with intellectual disabilities and a daughter’s affectionate recollections of her wheelchair-bound father, the winning entries all showed how much difference a little empathy could make. During the event, these heartwarming stories were adapted into lively drama performances by members of Hand in Hand Capable Theatre, a troupe set up by The Nonsensemakers in 2013 to foster mutual understanding between PWDs and the able-bodied through theatre training and performance.
Professor Alfred CHAN said, “The Employment Equality Project is one of EOC’s territory-wide initiatives this year, and we are truly grateful for the support of 22 rehabilitation organisations. We hope that different sectors will join hands with us to create an inclusive society where PWDs can realise their talents and potential to the fullest.”
