简介
Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focussing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
最新
Faride Shroff, the Founder and CEO of SENsational Foundation
Hello, My name is Faride Shroff, the Founder and CEO of SENsational Foundation. Disability inclusion is an increasingly important field that has gained prominence and attention in recent years. Despite this, people with disabilities often referred to as PwDs, remain a marginalised and often neglected group in society, as well as an untapped talent pool, with limited access to opportunities and resources, especially in Hong Kong.
There are a number of prominent problems that PWDs are facing in the workplace and in education. Whether this be a lack of knowledge on disability inclusion or the sheer disinterest in hiring people with disabilities, there is a large gap in disability awareness in Hong Kong.
To begin with, let’s talk about accessibility, there are so many buildings, offices, public facilities and educational institutions where accessibility measures have not been kept in mind. This can be solved by adhering to the principles of human centred universal design for urban development. Even new buildings that are meant to be fully accessible for all, have limitations such as cargo lifts for wheelchair users, smaller lift door sizes that hinder movement, lift buttons without sensory and tactile accommodations, and heavy access doors that only have a handle. Accessible restrooms ironically are still not accessible to all PwD’s.
Making physical spaces, transportation, information, and communication accessible to individuals with diverse disabilities are very important. Some real time examples could be installing ramps, elevators, and handrails and designing websites and digital content to be accessible to people with visual or hearing impairments. Advocating for their rights through public campaigns, workshops, and training programs that educate the general public, employers, and educators about disabilities ignites the conversation about disability inclusion and hopefully sparks action from society we live in.
Discrimination and social isolation are another factor that affect PwD’s on a daily basis. Whether that discrimination is from peers or from the general community, whether this is intentional or not, it manifests due to unconscious bias, judgment and fear. Due to this, PwD’s face stigmatisation leading to social isolation and limiting their social interactions. This isolation can impact their well-being and mental health, interfering with their integration into the workplace and educational environment.
Limited opportunities in education, services and employment are also affected in Hong Kong. It is an ongoing journey where we all have a part to play. Each student has a right to be given equitable opportunities to thrive in the learning environment, to receive a fair education regardless of disabilities. Along with lack of accommodations, many schools and companies do not provide assistive technologies such as braille displays or speech to text software. PwD’s often face multiple barriers when seeking employment, which stems from the stigma and negative preconceived opinions about their capabilities. Due to these perceptions, companies tend not to consider PwD’s when posting job vacancies.
It is a learning process for everyone. The first step is acknowledging the problems that PwD’s face on a daily basis and educating yourself on how you can make a difference whether that be in the workplace, educational environment or in your community. Collaborative efforts and activating allyship need to be done to address these challenges. The mindset of promoting accessibility, implementing inclusive policies and most importantly raising awareness about disability inclusion needs to happen every day. Even the smallest change can make a PwD’s daily experiences more positive. By breaking barriers of stigma that surrounds PwD’s, it is already a step in the right direction.
At SENsational Foundation, we believe that disability inclusion is not only a matter of social justice but a human right. Investing in disability inclusion, we will be able to create a more equitable and inclusive society where everyone can participate and reach their full potential. Remember, we all are SENsational! I would now like to dedicate this song for all PwD’s saying I am Alive by Celine Dion.
重温
Paul Chan, Co-founder and CEO of Walk In Hong Kong
World Heritage Day 2024 marks on 18th April. The significance of this occasion resonates deeply within me. Beyond its global celebration of heritage conservation, this day serves as a call to action for communities worldwide to reaffirm our dedication to protecting our heritage and cultural identity. Today, I'm compelled to share my thoughts not just as a seasoned heritage and cultural tour operator, but also as a passionate advocate for the preservation of our city's rich heritage and culture.
Heritage transcends mere buildings and historic sites; it embodies the essence and identity of a city, weaving together the stories and memories of generations. Whenever I lead heritage tours and delve into the archives of old Hong Kong photographs, a profound sense of nostalgia washes over me. When I saw old pictures of the elegant colonial architecture of Central, the charming row of walk-up shophouses of Kowloon, or the rustic beauty of the New Territories – these are not mere structures but repositories of our collective history and livelihood. Sadly, many of these architectural gems have succumbed to the pressures of rapid urbanization and development.
Witnessing the loss of our heritage is truly heartbreaking, as each demolition represents a potential loss of our remaining sites if we do not take decisive action. Once these architectural marvels are gone, they cannot be replaced, and with their disappearance, we lose a vital part of our cultural identity. Missed opportunities to leverage our heritage as a unique selling point for our city are evident, especially as we work towards revitalizing our tourism industry
post-pandemic. Nevertheless, there is still time to effect change. Transitioning into a heritage advocate has led me to frequently ponder the relevance of my cause. To me, the answer is clear – we have a duty to conserve what makes our city exceptional. In a world saturated with standardized attractions and tourist traps, our heritage stands as a beacon of authenticity and uniqueness.
Safeguarding our heritage is imperative if we wish to maintain our status as a leading tourism destination."
That is the major reason why we launched the conservation campaign to save the State Theatre, the largest surviving standalone theatre building on Hong Kong Island. During the campaign, we've adopted a comprehensive approach with the hope of enhancing the survival chance of this building. Not only did we successfully lobby the theatre from a Grade 3 proposed Historic building status to that of Grade 1, but we also enhanced the public’s emotional attachment to the
site through talks, walking tours, and interviews, etc. To this day, we persist in refining our strategies to strike a balance between conservation with economic sustainability.
We know that heritage conservation isn't just about preserving physical structures; only by also excavating its stories and memories can we truly preserve the spirit of a place. That is why we have produced To Be Continued, a documentary which chronicles the life and legacy of State Theatre’s founder, Harry Odell, the first impresario in Hong Kong, whose relentless efforts to invite best performers from the world to Hong Kong has made our city already a “East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange” in the 1950s.
We also recognize the crucial role of integrating heritage with sustainable tourism as a way to deepen our present connections to the past. As part of this recognition, we have launched a tourism innovation project supported by the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme. Our project aims to revitalise the villages of Sha Tau Kok and Yan Chau Tong areas by introducing immersive and sustainable tourism experiences in their Hakka villages. By leveraging the rich heritage of Hakka houses and the picturesque village landscapes, we curate unforgettable experiences such as seasonal dining against the backdrop of a majestic Hakka mansion. These immersive experiences enable both visitors and locals to connect with and embody the stories, memories, and rituals, thereby passing on the spirit of the past and its cultures to the present. We firmly believe that such emotional encounters are integral to our ongoing efforts to advance the cause of heritage conservation.
As the Chinese proverb wisely reminds us, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Next Thursday, on 18th April, I encourage you all to think about the ways we can increase awareness regarding the preservation of important monuments and cultures. Perhaps the most straightforward way to celebrate one’s cultural heritage on World Heritage Day is by authentically living one’s life in a way that embodies who we are and where we come from, but we can also think of the little ways we can protect our shared heritage and humanity. Look online to see if any community events are going on in the city that tell stories about our surroundings. Spread awareness by posting pictures of little-known historical sites on social media. World Heritage is about the humanity and stories we share, and our collective responsibility in keeping these stories and sites alive.
I urge you all to join me in this journey to protect and preserve our heritage. Let us celebrate our past, embrace our present, and safeguard our future.
