In the face of the labour shortage in Hong Kong, the employment potential of people with disabilities has long been a focus of attention. To promote the inclusion and development of people with disabilities in the workplace, the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) announced the launch of the DEI@WORK training programme on 28 June, with the support of the Kerry Group and in collaboration with the eConnect employment network, an alliance of eight social service organisations.

DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In recent years, DEI has become an emerging trend and a key to social progress. DEI@WORK aims to enhance the skills and confidence of corporate management and employees in working with people with disabilities.

 

Presiding over the kick-off ceremony was Mr Chris Sun Yuk-han, Secretary for Labour and Welfare. He said he was pleased to see people from different sectors actively participating in today’s event to contribute to the development of people with disabilities in the workplace. He believed that the establishment of the DEI@WORK training programme would help companies and employees better understand the needs of people with disabilities and create a more favourable work environment for them.

In his opening address, Professor Alfred Ho Tat-kei, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at CityUHK said, “CityUHK understands that it is crucial to create a workplace that promotes diversity, ensures equity and fosters inclusion for all.”

“The lack of understanding among employers and colleagues on how to work with people with disabilities has been a major barrier to their entry into the workplace,” said Professor Ricky Kwan Chi-kin, the initiator of DEI@WORK and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at CityUHK. Through related training, the programme aims to provide practical knowledge and skills to the participants, helping them to more effectively collaborate with employees with disabilities and achieve workplace inclusion.

The DEI@WORK training programme covers topics such as inclusion concepts, and knowledge and interaction skills for supporting people with different types of disabilities. The target participants include management and employees from corporates and NGOs, as well as university students. Participants can attend the training courses for free and will receive a certificate after completing a course.

The one-day foundation course on disability employment inclusion is the key component of the programme, including comprehensive knowledge, skills, experience and practice. The programme also offers online courses in areas such as universal design, inclusive management, and laws and policies, allowing participants to choose courses relevant to their companies and duties.

The project also aims to build a society that realises the individual value of people from different backgrounds, fully unleashes their diverse talent, and promotes sustainable development by incorporating DEI concepts. By cultivating an inclusive work culture, we can create an environment in which everyone is valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives, ideas and skills.

About the eConnect Employment Network
The eConnect Employment Network consists of eight social service organisations: Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service, the Hong Kong Blind Union, the Hong Kong PHAB Association, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong, SideBySide, the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, and the Hong Kong Society for the Deaf. Based on the concept of “Sharing”, the network provides comprehensive employment support for people with disabilities and offers channels and support for employers to recruit people with disabilities.