SWD invites applications for IT schemes for persons with disabilities
The Social Welfare Department (SWD) is inviting applications from eligible persons or organisations for the IT Scheme for People with Visual Impairment (8th Round) and the Central Fund for Personal Computers (50th Round) from today (September 10) until October 10.
The IT Scheme for People with Visual Impairment supports non-profit-making organisations providing services or schooling for people with visual impairment (PVI) and tertiary institutions to acquire advanced Chinese screen readers, Braille displays and accessories/portable devices to facilitate PVI's browsing the Internet, and to subsidise individual PVI with financial difficulties to purchase these assistive devices for meeting their needs on studying or employment.
Eligible organisations may lodge their applications by completing the designated forms. Eligible persons are required to apply through nominations by non-governmental organisations operating subvented rehabilitation services, the student affairs offices of local tertiary institutions, principals of local secondary/primary schools, or the Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department (LD).
The Central Fund for Personal Computers aims to assist persons with disabilities in acquiring the necessary computer facilities for self-employment or receiving supported employment service at home. Applicants must be receiving services from rehabilitation service organisations or the Selective Placement Division of the LD. Applications should be submitted through the nominating organisations.
The SWD has issued invitations to the relevant organisations for making nominations and applications. Details and application forms of the two schemes are available on the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/pubsvc/rehab/cat_fundtrustfinaid) and CyberAble.net (cyberable.swd.gov.hk/en/index.html). For enquiries, please call 3586 3594 or email to eoimc@swd.gov.hk.
Source: AI-generated images
Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Jardine's Lookout today
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a detached house in Jardine's Lookout this morning (January 20), in which a man fell from a wooden folding ladder while installing an air-conditioner. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by his death and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.
The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the air-conditioning works at the detached house concerned. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."
The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."
To protect workers' safety, the LD reminds contractors that ladders are usually used for ascending and descending only. Using ladders for work-above-ground is unsafe. Contractors shall provide and ensure that workers use appropriate working platforms or other safe means of support, including step platforms or hop-up platforms in conformity with international or national standards, instead of ladders.
The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.
In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.