Chapter 13 Recreational, Sports, Cultural and Arts Activities Policy Objective 13.1 The policy objective of the Government in promoting the participation of persons with disabilities in recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities is to provide appropriate activities and facilities to persons with disabilities, with a view to giving them opportunities to develop their potentials, improving their quality of life, and facilitating their active participation in community activities and full integration into the community. Background and Existing Services 13.2 At present, universal participation and individual enhancement are the two main targets of the Government s strategy in promoting participation of persons with disabilities in recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities and their development in these areas. Each year, the Government organises nearly 1 000 recreational and sports activities specifically for persons with disabilities to enhance their participation. Since its establishment in June 2001, the Hong Kong Paralympians Fund has subsidised over 100 athletes with disabilities to participate in international sports events. As at March 2006, the Fund has allocated over $8.6 million for development of target sports and as subsistence allowance to athletes with disabilities. Moreover, the Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Scheme launched in 2004 provides training and support for the universal participation and individual enhancement of persons with disabilities in the arena of arts and culture. The Scheme will benefit over 40 000 persons with disabilities within five years. 13.3 We strive to achieve the above policy objective by carrying out the following measures: organising nearly 1 000 free recreational and sports activities for persons with disabilities each year; 72
subsidising sports associations and NGOs to organise recreational and sports activities for persons with disabilities; subsidising NGOs to set up gateway clubs through optimum use of the existing facilities of rehabilitation centres, with a view to organising recreational and cultural activities for people with intellectual disabilities during weekends and holidays and promoting a Society for All through the participation of volunteers and parents; offering half-price concession to persons with disabilities and their companions for participating in community recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities; providing barrier-free recreational and sports facilities, and offering half-price concession to persons with disabilities, their companions and approved rehabilitation service agencies for booking the facilities; providing barrier-free cultural and arts facilities, and offering concession to non-profit making organisations for persons with disabilities for booking venues to conduct various cultural and arts activities; the Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Scheme and the Music Office co-organising the Outreach Music Interest Class for persons with disabilities and a three-year Instrumental Music Training Scheme for students with disabilities. The two training courses are tuition free with free musical instruments made available to participants; the Hong Kong Paralympians Fund supports development of persons with disabilities in sports by offering encouragement to athletes with disabilities who have strived to bring glory to Hong Kong in their athletic careers, and helping retired athletes with disabilities to secure employment and commending on their contributions; 73
launching the Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Scheme to provide persons with disabilities with basic training courses on visual and performing arts, school-based arts projects and train-the-trainers workshop. The Scheme also commissioned the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong to conduct a two-year research on teaching methods and assistive devices, and to compile a user manual for cultural and arts training of persons with disabilities; launching a three-year Personal Development Programme for non governmental organizations to organise a series of subsidised systematic and structured arts and skills training courses for persons with disabilities to develop their potentials and improve their quality of life; organising the International Festival of Inclusive Arts in December 2006 to show to the public the artistic talents of persons with disabilities through the cooperation and exchanges of experience in arts activities between people with or without disabilities; and launching the Healthy Exercise-for-All Campaign which includes a series of fitness exercise specially designed for persons with disabilities. Directions for Sustainable Development 13.4 Recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities are essential to a balanced life and are of particular importance to persons with disabilities. These activities can help improve greatly the physical fitness of persons with disabilities, their social skills and competence, and are essential components for an effective programme of social integration. In fact, persons with disabilities in Hong Kong have long been very enthusiastic in participating in recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities. Their efforts have produced remarkable results, winning the recognition of the general public. In the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, the 26 athletes 74
representing Hong Kong achieved great triumph by winning a total of 19 medals, including 11 gold, seven silver and one bronze. A number of arts troupes of persons with disabilities in Hong Kong have won prestigious awards in many international and local performance events. In this connection, the Working Group recommends to continue: providing persons with disabilities with suitable activities and facilities to encourage their active participation in mainstream recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities; providing customised recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities for persons with disabilities who are unable to participate in mainstream activities due to physical impairments; and supporting athletes and artists with disabilities who have the potentials and talents to pursue a career in recreation, sports, culture and arts. 13.5 The Working Group recommends the following long-term and short-term objectives of service development along the above directions for sustainable development: Short-term Objectives providing more train-the-trainer progammes; ensuring recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities and facilities are suitable for participation and use by persons with disabilities; and trainers and the staff involved can understand the special needs of persons with disabilities when receiving training and participating in activities; 75
Long-term Objectives ensuring the needs of persons with disabilities will be taken into account in the development of all new recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities and facilities; persons with disabilities are capable of benefiting, displaying their talents and integrating into the community through participation in recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities; and persons with disabilities in Hong Kong are capable of making strides and building up their names in sports and arts, both locally and internationally. Specific Measures Proposed 13.6 Measures proposed for further promotion of participation of persons with disabilities in recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities include: providing barrier-free recreational, sports, arts and cultural venues and facilities for persons with disabilities; taking into account universal participation and individual enhancement in promoting recreational, sports, cultural and arts development for persons with disabilities; organising recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities with the target of a Society for All in mind to provide persons with disabilities with equal opportunities of participation; enhancing the knowledge on the needs of people with disabilities among the staff of recreational, sports, cultural and arts venues and those involved in organising recreational, sports, cultural and arts activities, so that they are able to 76
effectively assist persons with disabilities in using the facilities and participating in the activities; and giving proper recognition, education, training and support to persons with disabilities with talents in sports and arts and the determination to excel. 77