Hong Kong Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung says a barrier-free environment helps people with disabilities to access buildings and facilities, which is essential to their integration into society.

Speaking at the International Day of Disabled Persons 2007's opening, Cheung said the Government has recently amended the requirements of access to buildings in the "Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 1997". The legislative work is to be completed next year.

Cheung also encouraged business organizations to offer more job opportunities to the disabled at a charity fun day earlier Sunday.

He said a company can have a larger pool of talented people for recruitment, enhance staff development, build team spirit and promote a positive corporate image by employing the disabled.

The Labour Department's Selective Placement Division provides one-stop services to help employers recruit people with disabilities.

The Labour Department and Social Welfare Department offer on-the-job training schemes like the Work Orientation & Placement Scheme and Sunnyway on the Job Training Programme for Young People with Disabilities, to help employers work with people with disabilities.

(CRI December 10, 2007)