CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
The Chairperson of the Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities
Established in 1964, the Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities (“the Joint Council”) is an umbrella organization consisting of non-governmental rehabilitation services organizations and groups of people with disabilities. The Joint Council aims at promoting the coordination and improvement of services and facilities for people with disabilities, participating in policy review and formulation, conducting public education and developing new rehabilitation programs. Following the adoption of the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (“UNCRPD”) by the People’s Republic of China on 31 August 2008 which is at the same time applicable to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Joint Council actively promotes the rights-based approach of the UNCPRD with a view to establishing a society with equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
I have been elected as the Chairperson of the Joint Council since 2015. Over the years, with the staunch support of various stakeholders in the rehabilitation sector, the Joint Council has been able to promote an inclusive society on different levels. Taking the opportunity of celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Joint Council, we launch the new website. Through this website, we hope to enhance the general public’s understanding on the Joint Council and remain abreast of our latest developments.
The Joint Council is an umbrella organization consisting of non-governmental rehabilitation services organizations and groups of people with disabilities. It aims at promoting the coordination and improvement of services and facilities for people with disabilities, participating in policy review and formulation, conducting public education and developing new rehabilitation programs. In addition, the Joint Council also plays an important role in the local and international rehabilitation field. Since the Joint Council shares similar objectives to the Hong Kong Council of Social ServiceService (“HKCSS”), the Joint Council and the Rehabilitation Division of HKCSS merged in 1965. In response to the organizational review and re-structuring of HKCSS in 2001, it was agreed that the Management Committee of Joint Council shall be equivalent to the Rehabilitation Specialized Committee of HKCSS as to avoid the duplication and redundancy of resources. In 2006, the Joint Council was registered under the Companies Ordinance.
- To organize courses, workshops, conferences, seminars, and conduct survey or research on different topics related to people with disabilities
- To coordinate and integrate the services and facilities for persons with disabilities
- To educate the public on the rights and needs of persons with disabilities in social and economic aspects
- To provide information relating to people with disabilities
- To advocate, assess, help develop and uplift the rehabilitation programs and services
- To represent the sector to state views in local and international rehabilitation field
- To eliminate and reduce the causes and impacts of disabilities, as well as to improve and promote the welfare and education for people with disabilities
- To make recommendations to the government, advocate and facilitate the enactment of legislation as to protect the interests and rights of people with disabilities
- To establish and maintain relationship with worldwide rehabilitation organizations
Every year the Joint Council holds the Annual General Meeting to elect for new Management Committee (also known as the Specialized Committee on Rehabilitation Services of HKCSS). The Management Committee is elected by the members and for a one-year term.
Seven service networks are established under the Joint Council, including (1) Network for Services for Persons with Visual Impairment; (2) Network for Services for Persons with Hearing Impairment; (3) Network for Services for Persons with Physical Disabilities; (4) Network for Services for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; (5) Network for Services for Persons with Mental Illness; (6) Network for Services for Work & Employment Services for Persons with Disabilities; and (7) Network for Services for Pre-school Disabled Children. Service networks conduct meeting on regular basis to discuss the related issues and topics. Apart from the service networks, the Joint Council also establishes three specialized committees, which are (1) Organizing Committee for International Day of Persons with Disabilities; (2) Organizing Committee for Hong Kong Abilympics; and (3) Committee for Promotion of the UNCRPD.
| Chairperson | Mr. CHEUNG Wai-leung, Benny, BBS, MBE, QGM | The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation |
| Vice- Chairperson | Dr. Joseph KWOK, BBS, JP, PhD | Individual Member |
| Vice- Chairperson | Mr. TSANG Kin-ping | Retina Hong Kong |
| Vice- Chairperson | Mr. SUEN Kwok-tung, Eddie | SAHK |
| Vice- Chairperson | Ms. YIM Chor-pik, Rabi | Individual Member |
| Honorary Treasurer | Mr. YUEN Hon-lam, Joseph | Tung Wah Group of Hospitals |
| Member | Mr. CHEUNG Hon-wa, Brian | The Hong Kong Society for the Deaf |
| Mr. CHEUNG Tat-cheong, Cooke | St. James’ Settlement | |
| Mr. CHING Chi-kong | The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong | |
| Mr. CHU Sai-ming, Thomas | New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association | |
| Mr. Sean FONG | Hong Kong Society for the Blind | |
| Mr. LAU Ka-lun, David | Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth | |
| Mrs. Julie LEE, JP | The Parents’ Association of Pre-school Handicapped Children | |
| Ms. LEUNG Wai-ling, Rachel | Heep Hong Society | |
| Ms. Luke Kit-ling | Caritas – Hong Kong | |
| Mr. MO Pak-kuen | Hong Kong Alliance of Patients’ Organizations | |
| Mr. NG Hang-sau | Individual Member | |
| Ms. PANG Shuk-ling, Sally | Christian Family Service Centre | |
| Ms. SIN Fung-yee, Sally | Evangelical Lutheran Church Social Service – Hong Kong | |
| Ms. TANG Wai-mun | The Salvation Army | |
| Mr. TSUI Yu-hang | Individual Member | |
| Mr. WONG Chun-hang, Billy | Hong Kong Blind Union | |
| Dr. WOO Chi-wood | Fu Hong Society | |
| Ex-officio member | Ms. CHAN Man-yee, Grace | The Hong Kong Council of Social Service |
| Secretary General | Ms. WONG Hiu-man, Rebecca | The Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities |