The Hong Kong Society for the Blind

Annual Report 2014/15

 

Surmount Obstacles

To Inclusive Society

 

Vision

To provide services and opportunities to facilitate the equal participation of people with visual impairment in Hong Kong

 

Patrons and Council Members

 

Patrons

Patron

The Honourable C.Y. Leung, GBM, GBS, JP

Chief Executive

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

 

Vice-Patrons

Mrs Marjorie Bray

Dr Bessie Chiang

Mrs Helen Kwok

Professor Dennis S.C. Lam

Mr Clive Oxley, OBE, ED

Professor C.K. Poon, OBE, GBS, JP

 

 

Council Members 2014/15  (As at 31 March 2015)

 

Chairman

Miss Nancy Law Tak Yin

 

Vice-Chairman

Mr Michael Szeto Chak Wah

 

Hon Treasurer

Mr Patrick Ng Wing Hang

 

Hon Legal Adviser

Mr Peter Chan Kin Sang

 

Hon Medical Adviser

Dr Hui Siu Ping (until Dec 2014)

Dr Kenneth Li Kai Wang (since Dec 2014)

 

Members

Ms Fianna Chi Tam Ning(since Dec 2014)

Mr Chong Chan Yau

Ms Susan Ho Suet Fun (until May 2014)

Ms Winnie Kong Lai Wan

Dr Vincent Kwan Pun Fong

Mr Lawrence Lai Man Leung

Ms Ida Lam Choi Chu

Mrs Fanny Lam Fan Kit Fong

Mr Lam Wai Pong

Mr Man Hong Lim (since Dec 2014)

Mr Tang Kwong Po (since May 2014)

Dr Nancy Yuen Shi Yin (since Dec 2014)

 

Co-opted Members

Dr Clement Chan Wai Nang (until Dec 2014)

Mr Peter Lam Chung Yun

 

Ex-officio Member

Ms Maureen Tam Ching Yi

(Chief Executive)

 

 

 

Audit Committee

Chairman

Ms Winnie Kong Lai Wan

 

Members

Ms Christina Fung Sau Man

Mr Lawrence Lai Man Leung

Mr Paul A Moore

Mr Joseph Tam Shun Tai (until Oct 2014)

 

Staff Representative

Ms Katherine Szeto Dick Ka

(Internal Auditor)

 

Ex-officio Members

Miss Nancy Law Tak Yin

Ms Maureen Tam Ching Yi

 

 

Eye Care & Vocational Services Committee

Chairman

Dr Hui Siu Ping (until Dec 2014)

Dr Kenneth Li Kai Wang (since Dec 2014)

 

Members

Dr Hui Siu Ping

Mr Joseph Kwan Kwok Lok

Dr Kenneth Sin Kuen Fung

Mr Yan Wa Tat

Dr Nancy Yuen Shi Yin (since Dec 2014)

 

Staff Representative

Mr Joseph Cho Chun Wah

(Director, Clinical & Vocational Services)

 

Ex-officio Members

Miss Nancy Law Tak Yin

Ms Maureen Tam Ching Yi

 

 

Factory Management Committee

Chairman

Mr Michael Szeto Chak Wah

 

Members

Mr Colin Bosher

Ms Winnie Kong Lai Wan

Mr Lawrence Lai Man Leung

Mr Christopher Marquis

 

Staff Representatives

Mr Joseph Cho Chun Wah

(Director, Clinical & Vocational Services)

Ms Phoenix Cheung Mei Fung

(Factory Manager)

 

Ex-officio Members

Miss Nancy Law Tak Yin

Ms Maureen Tam Ching Yi

 

 

Finance & Administration Committee

Chairman

Mr Patrick Ng Wing Hang

 

Members

Dr Vincent Kwan Pun Fong

Mr Peter Lam Chung Yun

 

Staff Representatives

Ms Kany Wong Kan Ying

(Director, Finance & Business Development)

Ms Fannie Wong Siu Fun

(Director, Human Resources & Administration)

 

Ex-officio Members

Miss Nancy Law Tak Yin

Ms Maureen Tam Ching Yi

 

 

 

Committees  (As at 31 March 2015)

Rehabilitation Services Committee

 

Chairman

Ms Ida Lam Choi Chu

 

Members

Mr Jason Ho Ka Leung

Ms Virginia Pak Lai Sheung

Mr Tsang Kin Ping

 

Staff Representative

Ms Kitty Chung Shuk Ming (until May 2014)

Ms Amy Cheng Mi Bing (since Jul 2014)

(Director, Rehabilitation Services)

 

Ex-officio Members

Miss Nancy Law Tak Yin

Ms Maureen Tam Ching Yi

 

Residential Services Committee

 

Chairman

Mr Lam Wai Pong

 

Members

Ms Shirley Cheung Yuet Mei

Dr Ho Chi Kin

Ms Susan Ho Suet Fun (until May 2014)

Mr Benson Lo Tak Wing

Mr Tang Kwong Po (since May 2014)

Ms Amy Tso Lei Lei

 

Staff Representative

Ms Doreen Mui Siu Ping

(Director, Residential Services)

 

Ex-officio Members

Miss Nancy Law Tak Yin

Ms Maureen Tam Ching Yi

 

 

Publicity &

Fund-Raising Committee

Chairman

Miss Nancy Law Tak Yin

Members

Ms Winnie Kong Lai Wan

Mr Lawrence Lai Man Leung

Mr Lam Wai Pong

Mr Patrick Ng Wing Hang

Ex-officio Member

Ms Maureen Tam Ching Yi

 

Yuen Long Home Redevelopment Committee

Chairman

Mr Lam Wai Pong

Members

Dr Ho Chi Kin

Mr Patrick Ng Wing Hang

Project Consultants

Architect

Professor Patrick Lau Sau Shing

Quantity Surveyor

Mr Yu Hon Kong

Structural Engineer

Mr Ng Kam Tong

E & M Consultant

Mr Raymond Tam Kit Man

Project Management Team

Mr Ricky Ng Kwok Pui

Ex-officio Members

Miss Nancy Law Tak Yin

Ms Maureen Tam Ching Yi

 

Other Committees  (As at 31 March 2015)

 

Centralised Braille Production

Centre Steering Committee

Chairman

Ms Kitty Chung Shuk Ming (until May 2014)

Ms Amy Cheng Mi Bing (since Jul 2014)

(Director, Rehabilitation Services)

Vice-Chairman

Ms Mok Siu Lai (until Aug 2014)

(Ebenezer School)

Mr Lai Chi Chiu (since Sep 2014)

(Ebenezer School)

Members

Mr Lam Wing Shun

(Hong Kong Blind Union)

Mr Lo King Hang (until Oct 2014)

(Special Education Support Section 1, Education Bureau)

Ms Christine Ng

(Special Education Support Section 1, Education Bureau)

Ms Kammy Ng (since Nov 2014)

(Special Education Support Section 1, Education Bureau)

Mr Siu Siu Hong (since Sep 2014)

(Ebenezer School)

Observer

Ms Ho Yee Wan

(Parent Representative,

Ebenezer School Parent and Staff Association)

Staff Representatives

Ms Emily Chan Lai Yee

(Manager, Information Accessibility Centre)

Ms Lynda Chung Kin Mui

(Supervisor, Centralised Braille Production Centre)

Ms Rosa Ng Tin Yu

(Assistant Supervisor,

Centralised Braille Production Centre)

 

Information Accessibility Centre

Users’ Committee

Chairman

Ms Kitty Chung Shuk Ming (until May 2014)

Ms Amy Cheng Mi Bing (since Jul 2014)

(Director, Rehabilitation Services)

Members

Mr Kwan Chi Wai

Mr Terry Lau Shiu Cheong

Ms Lee Yuen Sai (until May 2014)

Mr Leung Wai Pui

Mr Lo Keng Chi

Mr Mak Ping Man (since Aug 2014)

Staff Representatives

Ms Emily Chan Lai Yee

(Manager, Information Accessibility Centre)

Ms Chung Fung Kam

(Senior Library Assistant,

Information Accessibility Centre)

 

Deafblind Rehabilitation Programme Advisory Committee

Chairman

Ms Amy Tso Lei Lei

Members

Ms Shirley Cheung Yuet Mei

(Ebenezer New Hope School)

Ms Choi Lui Yin

(Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Cornwall School)

Ms Celina Chung Suk Han

(Caritas Jockey Club Lok Yan School)

Mr Eddie Wong Kam Yuen

(The Hong Kong Society for the Deaf)

 

Staff Representatives

Ms Doreen Mui Siu Ping

(Director, Residential Services)

Ms Cansy Li Po Ling

(Superintendent, Morning Glory Day Activity Centre

cum Hostel)

Ms Chan Wai Ping

(Social Worker, Rehabilitation Centre)

Ms Andria Cheung Wing Yan

(Deafblind Programme Officer)

 

Parents Resource Centre

Advisory Committee

Chairman

Mr Edward Kwok Ho Lai

Members

Dr Kenneth Sin Kuen Fung

Mrs Ellen Yip Ng So Yue

Staff Representatives

Ms Maureen Tam Ching Yi

(Chief Executive)

Mr Joseph Cho Chun Wah

(Director, Clinical & Vocational Services)

Ms Kitty Chung Shuk Ming (until May 2014)

Ms Amy Cheng Mi Bing (since Jul 2014)

(Director, Rehabilitation Services)

Ms Penelope Yeung Ho Yan      

(Supervisor, Parents Resource Centre

for the Visually Impaired Children)

 

 

Chairman’s Foreword

 

Apart from providing a wide spectrum of services including eye care, rehabilitation, vocational training, residential care, employment guidance and others, we also aim to promote an inclusive society to facilitate participation of the visually impaired in the community.  In 2014/15, we organized a number of projects to enhance the awareness of the community of their needs.  There were also opportunities for them to demonstrate their potentials and abilities.  The results were very encouraging with recognition by the community.   

 

Taking the opportunity of the 2014 World Sight Day, we organized a seminar on “Vision Rehabilitation: A Concerted Effort” on 9 October 2014 jointly with the School of Optometry of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Ebenezer School & Home for the Visually Impaired, Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association and Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Hong Kong.  The talks by eye care professionals and sharing by persons with low vision helped to articulate the needs of persons with low vision and the importance of rehabilitation services to help them achieve independent living.  We were honored that Professor Sophia Chan, JP, Under Secretary for Food and Health, officiated at the event.

 

From 7 to 8 March 2015, we joined hands with the Hong Kong Lions Club of Happy Valley to host the Marathon Charity Concert in Metroplaza, Kwai Fong.  A total of 100 visually impaired and sighted persons performed on stage and there was an audience of some 2,000.  Alongside with the performances, there were experiential games to demonstrate the “Tactile World” of the visually impaired.  By taking part in the games, participants were able to experience the daily hurdles faced by the visually impaired.  The sum of HK$150,000 raised would be used to support the operation and development of the Parents Resource Centre for Visually Impaired Children. 

 

The Consumer Council organized the 4th “Third Age Persons Consumer Culture Study Award Scheme” in 2014.  Three groups of trainees from the Rehabilitation Centre participated in the Scheme.  One group won the Golden Award with their write-up on “Consumption Experience” to set out the difficulties encountered by visually impaired consumers in the community.  Another group won the “Outstanding Report and Title Award” with their write-up on “Our Consumer Rights”.  The third group got the “ Best Report and Outstanding Title Award ” with their piece on  “ The Best Shopping Environment”.

 

An aged blind resident of our Kowloon Home for the Aged Blind took part in the Youreable Fashion Design 2015 organized by the Troels H Povlsen Care Apparel Centre of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.  She won the Merit Award with her art piece “The Touchable Colour”.  Her memory of colours was expressed through touchable patterns.

 

About 8% of our staff are visually impaired.  They are placed in Braille and audio books production, massage service and public education.  In the scheme “18 District Caring Employers 2014” jointly organized by Rehabilitation Advisory Committee of the Labour and Welfare Bureau, Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities, Hong Kong Council of Social Service and 18 District Councils to give recognition to agencies committed to provide open employment for people with disabilities,  The Hong Kong Society for the Blind, Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited and the Health Massage and Treatment Centre were given “Caring Employers ”  awards. 

 

In the Partner Employer Award Scheme launched by The Hong Kong General Chamber of the Small and Medium Business to give recognition to agencies who demonstrate their corporate responsibilities by hiring graduates from local technical institutes and universities including those with disabilities, rehabilitated offenders and ethnic minorities, thus providing them with training and practical work opportunities so as to build up an inclusive society, The Hong Kong Society for the Blind and Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited were given the awards in November, 2014 for hiring graduates with visual impairment.  Furthermore, in the “Social Enterprise Endorsement Mark 2014-2017 ” organized by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Social Enterprises to give recognition to successful social enterprises, Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited and the Health Massage and Treatment Centre got  accreditation of the “SEE Mark”.

 

The Hong Kong Society for the Blind Jockey Club Yan Hong Building would be completed in the last quarter of 2015.  In order to raise funds for acquiring therapeutic equipment and installing necessary rehabilitation facilities to provide better care for the residents, the Rainbow Tree Donation Campaign was launched in 2014.  Up to 31 March 2015, HK$423,003 were received.  Thanks to the support of a number of donors to the Naming-After Donation Scheme, we were able to further secure HK$3,082,264 by 31 March, 2015.

 

The year of 2014/15 was a fruitful one.  I would like to thank government departments, donors and volunteers for their support to our services.  I am most grateful to all members of the Council and Committees for providing expert advice and support.  Recognition must also be given to the Chief Executive and all staff for their hard work.

 

We shall be celebrating the 60th anniversary in 2016.  Let us look forward to more success in the years ahead to enable the visually impaired to participate further in an inclusive society.

 

 

Nancy Law

 

 

Chief Executive’s Report

 

To improve operation efficiency, the use of information technology is inevitable in this computer age.

 

Long before obtaining additional resources to develop information technology projects for improvement of service management, a Client Information System for better case management in our residential services was first launched since 2004. In the same year, with support from the Social Welfare Department’s Business Improvement Project, we joined other NGOs to computerize our accounting management by using the Oracle.

 

Thanks to the Social Welfare Development Fund, we were able to develop a number of systems to enhance corporate administrative efficiency in the past two years. The Donation Management System was established in 2013 to maintain donor database, keep accurate donation records, and streamline the donation management process. In the same year, the Human Resources Information System was developed to replace manual handling of all personnel functions including calculation of monthly payroll, provident fund, long service or severance pay, leave balance, staff cost allocation, manpower projection, and etc. Computerized reports including pay slips and tax returns could be generated by the system too.

 

Went live in April 2013, the Material Requirement and Production Planning System (MRPPS) was developed for the Factory for the Blind to enhance production control. While handling material inventory and production, it also captures production data across different Sections in the Factory, namely, Sales & Marketing, Production, Purchasing and Store.  The new system helped to improve transparency of workflow, reliability of data and communication among different parties. Also, the inventory level could be monitored closely.  In addition, production schedule, arrival of raw materials and delivery of finished goods could be monitored and processed real-time to avoid unnecessary delay.

 

Over the years, our principal archive for documents had been file cabinets where hard copies are stored. Document retrieval could take days due to the lack of a standard filing system using the same indexing method. Double filing of the same document in service units and the central administration was the practice to enable easier and faster file retrieval.  Documents were circulated by hand, with long travelling time between outbound service units and the Headquarters.  Some documents might get lost during the delivery.

 

To keep up with increasing administrative workload and to improve internal control, an information technology-based document management system, with higher performance and flexibility is required. It should allow for faster and easier document search and retrieval by making use of standardized indexing by name, content, date, author. At the same time, there are various levels of access authority so that documents can be shared and updated easily through a central file server, paving the way for online document approval to increase management efficiency. Such an office automation system, with better information sharing and security control, enables us to better handle the voluminous documentation and tedious workflow. Thanks to efforts of the working team that comprises representatives from different service units and supporting departments, the Electronic Documentation Management System (eDMS) will go live in late 2015.

 

Up to 31 March 2015, there were about 1,100 donors and 720 volunteers registered with the Society. The number of donation entries ranged from 500 per annum to over 2,000 transactions when there was fund-raising programme such as the Flag Day. Active volunteers spent more than 25,000 hours per annum providing a wide range of services to the Society. In order to streamline volunteer service management for better service matching, and to strengthen relations with donors to bolster fund raising results, an enhancement of the Donation Management System developed in 2013, was started in late 2014 and is expected to complete within 2015.

 

The enhanced Donation Management System will keep both the donor and volunteer databases in the same system, thus avoiding double entry in case the volunteer is also a donor. Service matching can be done via a closed network, the VPN, to ensure secured data transfer between the central administration and the service units at outbound sites. 

 

In order to reinforce donor relations, donors of different categories will be regularly contacted by staff of specified levels to provide information on our services.

 

The system will keep updated records about the contacts made, as well as feedback from the donors. It will also provide a systematic follow-up action plan such as alerting staff members to make periodical contact.

 

Regarding volunteer management, the system will keep the database in a way that enables coordination at agency level.  By maintaining an up-to-date profile of the volunteers, their skill set and time available in the system, appropriate training programmes and service matching can be carried out efficiently. Besides, the number of service hours taken up by volunteers across different service units and in various volunteer activities can be recorded correctly to set the base for the biennial recognition programme and arrangement of volunteer activities. This will help to keep the interest of our volunteers in our services, be they long-term or new supporters.

 

With the above systems in place, the next issue will be training of staff the skills to make good use of these systems, and to make available a team of professionals, especially IT personnel, to maintain these systems for smooth running, information security and systematic upgrades to meet with operational need.  In fact, we are behind the larger society in drawing up an IT Strategy, it is high time to work on it.

 

Maureen Tam

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Highlights of Achievements and Events

 

Achievement Highlights

 

Award

18 Districts Caring Employers 2014

This is to commend organizations’ efforts for building an inclusive and harmonious society by promoting employment of people with disabilities.

 

Awardees

The Hong Kong Society for the Blind

Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited

Health Massage and Treatment Centre

 

 

Award

Partner Employer Award

This is to commend organizations’ efforts for promoting corporate social responsibilities and building an inclusive and harmonious society.

 

Awardees

The Hong Kong Society for the Blind

Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited

 

 

Award

Social Enterprise Endorsement Mark 2014-2017

This is to recognize social enterprises their competence to operate and manage business with the best practice.

 

Awardees

Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited   Intermediate

Health Massage and Treatment Centre   Advanced

 

 

Award

ERB Merit Award for Employers

This is to recognize organizations’ effort made under the ERB “Manpower Development Scheme” for employing graduates from the Employees Retraining Board courses.

 

Awardees

Jockey Club Tuen Mun Home for the Aged Blind

 

 

Award

Youreable Fashion Design 2015

Launched by the Troels H Povlsen Care Apparel Centre of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, it creates a platform for the elderly and the disabled to cultivate their creativity potential and interest in fashion design.

 

Awardees

Madam Yeung Siu Ling from Kowloon Home for the Aged Blind

“The Touchable Colours”-“Merit Award”

 

 

Award

The 4th “Third Age Persons Consumer Culture Study Award (TAPA)”

It was organized by the Consumer Council to engage third age persons in the understanding and analysis of the local consumer culture and consumer rights.

 

Awardees

Trainees of the Rehabilitation Centre

Report on  “Consumption Experience” - “Golden Award”

Report on  “Our Consumer Rights” -  “Outstanding Report and Title Award”

Report on  “The Best Shopping Environment”-  “Best Report and Outstanding Title Award”

 

 

Event Highlights

 

Marathon Charity Concert 2015

Jointly organized by The Hong Kong Society for the Blind and the Hong Kong Lions Club of Happy Valley, the Marathon Charity Concert 2015 was successfully held in Metroplaza, Kwai Fong, from 7 to 8 March. With sponsorship from the Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited and Mandycat’s support, the venue was decorated as a “Tactile World” public education zone. The general public was able to feel for themselves the daily hurdles faced by the visually impaired persons through taking part in the experiential games. A sum of HK$150,000 was raised for the Parents Resource Centre for Visually Impaired Children.

 

 

World Sight Day 2014 Vision Rehabilitation:  A Concerted Effort

In order to raise public awareness of visual health and the rehabilitation services available to the visually impaired persons in Hong Kong, five professional organizations, including The Hong KongSociety for the Blind, the School of Optometry of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Ebenezer School & Home for the Visually Impaired, Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association and Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Hong Kong, had for the first time jointly organized a Press Conference named “Vision Rehabliation : A Concerted Effort” at the World Sight Day 2014 on 9 October. The general public was able to learn more about low vision and vision rehabilitation. Professor Sophia Chan, JP, the Under Secretary for Food and Health, officiated at the event to show

her support.

 

 

National Focal Persons Training on Low Vision

With funding support from the Lions Clubs International Foundation, the two-year programme was co-organized by The Hong Kong Society for the Blind and the Lions Clubs International District 303 Hong Kong and Macao, China. This year’s programme was held from 5 to 18 September 2014 in Hong Kong. A total of 26 participants from 22 developing countries, including Kenya, Jordan, Nicaragua, Indonesia and China, took part. Upon completion of the training, participants promoted low vision services in their home countries. It was estimated that millions of the low visioned would benefit from this project in the coming five to ten years.

 

 

 

Overcoming Disability Challenges at the “I-Shop”

The I-Shop locates at the West Wing lobby of the Hong Kong Society for the Blind Headquarters, was opened in August 2014. It was a training project for trainees of the Morning Glory Day Activity Centre cum Hostel, who suffered from multiple disabilities including visual impairment. It aimed at promoting “Inclusion”, “Interaction” and “I-can” spirits, and to build a community with positive attitudes towards life. More than ten trainees joined the programme. They were allocated to different positions, such as cashiers, salespersons, storekeepers,etc., according to individual characteristics and abilities. The trainees gained high job satisfaction and built up self-confidence. Their hand-made products are on sale at the I-Shop too.

 

 

Rainbow Tree Donation Campaign

Thanks to the generous donation made by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in 2009 in support of the redevelopment of Yuen Long Home for the Aged Blind, the construction of  “The Hong Kong Society for the Blind Jockey Club Yan Hong Building” would complete in the last quarter of 2015. Since the donation was sufficient to cover only the construction expenses and basic building facilities, more funding would be required to enable us to provide quality care to the 160 residents. The aim of the Rainbow Tree Donation Campaign was to raise more funds for the purchase of equipment and to improve facilities in the building.

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Rehabilitation Services

 

157 persons received rehabilitation traininng.

provided 52 times communicator services for the deafblind.

 

Rehabilitation Centres

Enrolment and Training

As at 31 March 2015, there were 214 visually impaired persons on the waiting list of the two Rehabilitation Centres in Kowloon and the New Territories,62 trainees have completed the rehabilitation training and 68 have completed route orientation training.

 

 

Public Education and Outside Liaison

The Rehabilitation Centres had provided 62 talks on sighted guides and communication skills with visually impaired persons, with a total attendance of 2,427 from schools, organizations and the general public. Besides, the Centres had joined committees and working groups of the Transport Department, Link, MTRC, and Housing Department. Nine site inspections on barrier free facilities had been conducted by visually impaired members and instructors. Furthermore, the Kowloon Centre had provided assistance in a Radio Television Hong Kong ETV program on Orientation and Mobility Training and also in the TVB’s Scoop Program on rehabilitation training for macular disease.

 

 

Achievement

The visually impaired trainees of the Rehabilition Centre has won the Golden Award in “The Third Age Persons Consumer Culture Study Award” organized by the Consumer Council in July 2014. The reports on “Our Consumer Rights” and “The Best shopping environment” were given the “Outstanding Report and Title Award” and “Best Report and Outstanding Title Award” respectively. Besides, Mr. Channel Chan, Communication Instructor of the Centre was named one of the 2013-14 Top Ten Regeneration Warriors by the Regeneration Society.

 

 

New Initiatives

With funding support from The Community Chest of Hong Kong, the Centre will launch a two-year “Rehabilitation Programme for the Newly Visually Impaired” starting from 2015/16. Services include: casework service, home-based rehabilitation training, home-based supportive service, home modification service, mutual support groups and public education programmes.

 

 

Deafblind Training Programme

Thanks to the unfailing support from The Community Chest of Hong Kong, rehabilitation programmes for the deafblind, which covers communication, orientation and mobility training, adaptive aids consultancy services and service referrals, were continued.

Apart from rendering training to the deafblind, three staff training courses on Deafblindness was delivered to 107 staff members from three organizations, namely Macau Deaf Association, Morning Glory DAC cum Hostel and TWGHs Jockey Club Rehabilitation Complex. Besides, the Centre invited two aged blind residents living in two Care and Attention Homes for aged blind at the TWGH Jockey Club Rehabilitation Complex to participate in the “Tactile Cues Project” conducted between April and October 2014.

 

 

Communicator Service for the Deafblind

The three-year “Pilot Project on Communicator Services for the Deafblind”, launched since 2013/14, continued during the year. Three levels of courses on “Certificate Course for Communicator/Guide for the Deafblind” were organized in 2014/15. The communicators provided escort for medical follow- up,  communicator services for deafblind persons in daily shopping, participating in social activities, and assistance in other daily living activities.

 

Rev Dr. Cyril Axelrod, the Honourable Consultant of Deafblind Rehabilitation Programme, visited Hong Kong from 1 to 12 September 2014. He had a meeting with Dr. York Chow Yat-Ngok, G.B.S., Chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission, to articulate the needs of deafblind in the community and the importance of communicator/guide in Hong Kong.

 

On 30 October 2014, our Deafblind Programme Officer, a deafblind member and a communicator were interviewed by RTHK Radio 2 programme “Made in Hong Kong” as part of the Equal Opportunities Diversity Project 2014. The programme was broadcast live to promote the awareness of deafblindness and communicator service. In July 2014, an article entitled “The Development of Services for People who are Deafblind in Hong Kong is Progressing” was published in the 53rd issue of DbI Review, a publication by the Deafblind International.

 

 

Service Data

As at 31 March 2015

 

 

Deafblind Rehabilitation Programme

Courses	Elementary (6th batch)	Intermediate (3rd batch)	Advance (2nd batch)
No. of participants	21	20	14
No. of qualified communicator	15	16	13

 

 

 

Communicator / Guide Service for the Deafblind

Total no. of registered communicators	38
No. of communicator service provided	52
No. of deafblind service users	29

 

 

 

 

Deafblind Training Programme

Total no. of trainees living in hostel	9 (45%)
Total no. of trainees living in community	11(55%)
Total no. of trainees	20

 

 

 

Rehabilitation Centre

 

Trainees’ age profile

學員年齡分佈

16-29	7(8%)
30-39	5(6%)
40-49	16(18%)
50-59	31(35%)
60-69	13(14%)
70 or Above	17(19%)

 

 

 

Analysis of trainees’ causes of blindness

Cataract	3
Optic Atrophy	3
Retinal Detachment / Retinal Degeneration	7
Diabetic Retinopathy	8
Macular Disease	9
Retinitis Pigmentosa	16
Glaucoma	22
Others	21

Case Referrals Received  142

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Residential Services

 

565 persons received residential services

 

In a three-year programme running from 2013/14 to 2015/16 at the Residential Services, “Five E” objectives were set. The five Es are: Enrichment, Empowerment, Enhancement, Engagement and Evolution. The Residential Services was able to follow these objectives in our service provisions in the past year. Highlights are listed below.

 

Enrichment – to enhance the quality of life of residents

Apart from festive programmes, different recreational, social and therapeutic groups and programmes were conducted for our aged blind residents and clients with multiple disabilities and visual impairment (MDVI). The concept of “Six Arts” was adopted to enrich the daily programmes in aged blind homes. A joint outing to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal was held on 28 November 2014 for 238 service users.

 

The three-year project “Self-fulfilling End of Life” supported by The Community Chest of Hong Kong aimed to provide end-of-life care and counselling services for residents in our four aged blind homes. The project was completed in March 2015. A closing activity was conducted on 18 March 2015 at the Jockey Club Tuen Mun Home for the Aged Blind with positive feedback from 80 aged blind participants.

 

Empowerment - to strengthen the potentials and competence of clients

To promote life-learning and active ageing, the two elder academies organized by the Tuen Mun Home for the Aged Blind and Kowloon Home for the Aged Blind continued to collaborate with secondary schools in the neighbourhood to launch a number of classes for the aged blind. In the year under review, a total of 15 classes (Tai Chi, horticulture, literature, cooking, laughing yoga, etc.) and 12 outdoor or mass activities were conducted.

 

The trainees from the Morning Glory Day Activity Centre cum Hostel, Bradbury Home and Joyful Home continued to take up challenge by taking part in Adventure Ship 2014 and iRun-HK Special Marathon held in January 2015. All participants completed the Marathon, with a trainee of the Joyful Home winning the second runner-up medal in the senior group. Their participation demonstrated the physical abilities, courage and perseverance of people with intellectual disabilities and visual impairment.

 

In the coming year, we shall continue to strengthen the potentials and competence of MDVI clients by offering training and other community participation opportunities. For elder academies, new classes will be organized to broaden the knowledge and interests of the aged blind.

 

Enhancement - to reinforce professional skills and knowledge

The innovative “Fall Proof Project” was developed to provide proper assessment and training for our frail elderly residents. It was started in the Kowloon Home for the Aged Blind. The results proved that the 12-month exercise and balance training programme was effective in improving lower limb muscle strength and postural balance of the aged blind residents. The results were presented by our Physiotherapist I in the “9th Pan-pacific Rehabilitation Conference cum 21st Annual Congress of Gerontology” held on 29 November 2014.

 

As part of the professional development programme for our staff of dementia care, a Staff Exchange Tour to Taiwan will be organized in October 2015.

 

Engagement - to engage service users

Team-building, staff training, and occupational safety and health programmes were conducted throughout the year. The “Mentor Scheme” was adopted by the Homes in which experienced staff members help to coach new employees. Staff recognition and appreciation schemes were also conducted. Communication channels between the Homes and clients and their family members were established to improve services.

 

The major action plan proposed for 2015/16 was the “Happy Work Place” project in residential services to boost staff morale and enhance their commitment and sense of belonging.

 

Evolution - to change and transform

Thanks to the generous donation of HK$174,500 from Mrs Grace Tsao, a dormitory at Tuen Mun Home for the Aged Blind was converted to a central pharmacy. This has enabled efficient and effective central drug management for the residents on the three floors of the Tuen Mun Home. Nurses and health workers can now concentrate on preparing and checking the medicines in a quiet environment, reducing the chances of making mistakes in drug managment.

 

The Yuen Long Home Redevelopment Project, was expected to complete in last quarter of 2015. Residents of Yuen Long Home  are expected to move into the new building in early 2016. The grand opening of the “Hong Kong Society for the Blind Jockey Club Yan Hong Building” will be held concurrently with the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Society in 2016.

 

Service Data

 

Residential Services

Enrolment in each of the Home as at 31/3/2015:

 

Bradbury Care and Attention Home for the Aged Blind

male

19

female

31

Total

50

 

 

Kowloon Home for the Aged Blind

male

19

female

31

Total

50

 

 

Yuen Long Home for the Aged Blind

Care and Attention Section	male	29	female	26	Total	55
Infirmary Section	male	9	female	10	Total	19

 Total 74

 

Jockey Club Tuen Mun Home for the Aged Blind

Care and Attention Section	male	66	female	124	Total	190
Infirmary Section	male	6	female	27	Total	33

 Total 223

 

 

 

Morning Glory DAC cum Hostel

Day Training Centre	male	33	female	29	Total	62
Hostel	male	32	female	30	Total	62

 Total 124

 

Bradbury Home

male

4

female

5

Total

9

 

Joyful Home

male

5

female

3

Total

8

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Employment Services

44 persons got a job

provided 4,190 times employment counselling services

 

The Career Support and Development Centre

The 14th Massage Training Course and Graduation Ceremony

The 14th Massage Training Course commenced in October 2013 was completed in August 2014. All the eight visually impaired course participants passed the examinations and were awarded certificates of completion in the graduation ceremony held in September 2014. They have been employed as masseurs after the course and are leading a good quality and independent living.

 

Advanced Massage Training Course

Four advanced massage training courses in Children Massage, Deng-Li Stretching Therapy, Ego-strength Chiropractic Therapy and Luo’s Manipulation of Bone Setting were conducted from January to May 2015. Thirty visually impaired masseurs attended with a total attendance rate of 69 by headcounts.

 

Piano Tuning and Basic Repair

With financial support from The Community Chest of Hong Kong, the second visually impaired trainee has completed the Piano Tuning and Basic Repair Course and passed the Elementary Piano Tuning, Maintenance and Repair Certificate Examination in October 2014. The graduate is now employed as a piano technician by the Factory for the Blind. A third visually impaired trainee with financial support from Mrs. Petrina Kwok and the Chan Dang Social Services Foundation has started training in November 2014. He is expected to sit for the examination in October 2015.

 

 

Collaboration Scheme on Job Trial Placement

With donations collected on the Flag Day 2013 and from the Simatelex Charitable Foundation, eight visually impaired members participated in the “Work Placement Project” in 2014/15 to strengthen their work and communication skills.

 

 

Employment of Visually Impaired Members

Over the past year, 44 visually impaired job-seekers received employment placement and engaged in massage, customer service, audio typing, clerical work, packaging, and cleaning services, etc. Among them, 27% possessed academic qualification of tertiary level or above, 56% were in the 31-50 age group.

 

The Factory for the Blind

Sales Proceeds

The total sales of the Factory were HK$14.56M in 2014/15, representing an increase of HK$1.24M (9%) from the year 2013/14.

 

Sales at the Sewing Section, Assembling Section, Paper Box Section and the Customer Service Center increased by 10%, 25%, 5% and 34% respectively, whereas sales of the Filing Tag Section declined by 2%.

 

 

Factory’s Annual Outing 2014

The Factory’s annual outing was held on 18 October 2014. A total of 224 participants including 162 service users, 27 volunteers and 35 staff visited the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal for sightseeing, followed by lunch gathering at the Mega Box in Kowloon Bay.

 

Service Improvement

Supported by the One-off Time-defined Supplementary Grant provided by the Social Welfare Department (SWD), three tacking machines were purchased for Paper Box Section in January 2015 at a total of HK$191,000.

 

The Factory was granted additional recurrent funding by the SWD with effect from 1 October 2014 to enhance its care and supportive services for ageing service users. One Enrolled Nurse and one Ward Attendant were recruited in January 2015.

 

The incentive payment for trainees in the sheltered workshop was increased from a daily rate of HK$21 to HK$26.5 from 1 November 2014 onwards.

 

Future Development

The Factory will keep on promoting its piano tuning and piano teaching services in the coming year, and will employ more visually impaired piano tuning technicians and musicians to cope with the growing demand in these areas.

 

To further develop our client pool in the hotel industry, the Factory will proactively contact more hotels, especially the high-end ones, to promote our products in laundry bags, shoe bags, uniforms, carton boxes and the piano tuning services.

 

Health Massage and Treatment Centre

Business Overview

The two Centres, S. K. Yee Health Massage & Treatment Centre and Bernard van Zuiden Health Massage & Treatment Centre were able to earn a surplus for the year despite a shortage in manpower. The mobile massage team continued provision of services to clubhouse customers and pro-actively extended its services to sizeable multinational companies and professional institutions. During the year, 22 visually impaired staff members including masseurs/masseuses, beauty masseuse and massage assistant were employed to deliver quality services to our customers.

 

Professional Recognitions and Awards

It was our great honour that S.K. Yee Health Massage and Treatment Centre was the first blind massage centre awarded “Asia Pacific Regional Blind Massage Demonstration Shop” in the “12th World Blind Union Asia Pacific Massage Seminar” held in May 2014 in Bangkok, Thailand. The two centres were also the first batch of organizations awarded the Social Enterprise Endorsement Mark (Advanced), which was jointly organized by The Hong Kong General Chamber of Social Enterprises and The City University of Hong Kong, with sponsorship from the Standard Chartered Bank 150th Anniversary Foundation. The “18 Districts Caring Employers Award 2014” also recognised our efforts in employing visually impaired staff members as masseurs/masseuses. All these awards affirmed the professional massage skills of our masseurs/masseuses, and the efforts made by the two centres in promotion of social inclusion.

 

Pursuit of Service Excellence and Publicity

Staff members were provided regular training and development opportunities to enhance their skill sets so that they could offer quality services. Some of our masseurs/masseuses had completed advanced training courses on Deng-Li Stretching Therapy, Child Massage and Luo’s Manipulation of Bone Setting. Beauticians and beauty masseuse were given sponsors to attend product training workshops so as to keep them abreast of the latest knowledge and treatment skills. The WeM customer service system was upgraded with support from the Ng Teng Fong Foundation. The enhanced e-signature feature would help to increase operational efficiency.

 

Two of our masseurs/masseuses took part in Cable’s TV programme to introduce the Centres’ massage services and promote “Social Enterprise Directory” and “Sham Shui Po Good Map.”

 

Future Development

With a stable economic environment, a steady growth in the revenue of Health Massage and Treatment Centres is expected in the year of 2015/16. In the coming years, we will continue to enhance our customer services and promote employee-friendly work environment. As an established social enterprise, we will focus on increasing our business exposure and brand-building so that more people can learn of the abilities of the visually impaired and use our services, so that the business can be sustained.

 

Service Data

As at 31 March 2015

 

Career Support and Development Centre

 

Employment Service

No. of job seekers registered	438
No. of job seekers employed	44
No. of new job seekers	31
No. of counselling service / consultations	4,190
No. of job referrals	521
No. of escorts to job interviews	110

 

 

Age range of job seekers employed

31-50	57%
30 or below	30%
51 or above	13%

 

 

 

Education level of job seekers employed

Below F.5	30%
F.5 – F.7	48%
Tertiary or above	22%

 

 

Types of work that taken up by our job seekers

Massage	32%
Customer Service	19%
Audio Typing	16%
Packaging	4.5%
Tutor	4.5%
Waiter	4.5%
Clerk	4.5%
Cleaning	4.5%
Office Assistant	3%
Secretary	2%
Programme Assistant	2%
Others	2%

 

 

 

 

 

Job Support and Training Activities

No. of loan-out aids/appliances	106
No. of participants	54
No. of training classes	9
No. of training sessions	41
No. of training programmes	7
No. of programme attendance	60

 

 

 

Breakdown in attendance according to types of training

Massage	27%
Skills for job application and interview	24%
Language	20%
Problem solving	13%
Piano tuning	12%
Computer	4%

 

 

Service Data

As at 31 March 2015

 

The Factory for the Blind

 

Sales Proceeds by Departments (in HK$)

Paper Box	$8,113,695
Sewing	$1,963,269
Customer Service Centre	$1,963,225
Filing Tag	$1,412,847
Assembling (Sheltered Workshop)	$1,102,066

 

 

 

Trainees at sheltered workshop

Total : 146

Visually impaired	20
Intellectually challenged	53
Ex-mentally ill	72
Physically disabled	1

 

 

 

Workers at the Factory

Total : 65

Visually impaired	8
Hearing impaired	2
Intellectually challenged	51
Ex-mentally ill	3
Physically disabled	1

 

 

 

Health Massage and Treatment Centres

 

Types of employees

Visually Impaired	22
Sighted	13
Total no. of staff	35

 

 

 

Service Data

	Total No. of Customers	Total No. of Service Hours
Mobile Massage Team	2,862	1,653
Health Massage and Treatment Centre	10,274	31,093

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Barrier Free Facilities and Adaptive Equipment Services

 

produced 150 pcs tactile maps

sold 454 pcs adaptive equipment

 

Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited

Since its establishment in October 2011, Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited (BFAHK) has achieved very impressive results in barrier free access service development, research & development and public education. It will continue to cooperate closely with various stakeholders in enhancing accessibility for the visually-impaired and promoting social inclusion. In August 2014, BFAHK was accredited by the Inland Revenue Department as a charitable organization and therefore granted tax exemption status under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance.

 

Achievement

In the year of 2014/15, BFAHK has made great achievements in the construction of a barrier free environment and community facilities. It designed and supplied tactile maps for over 100 premises, including shopping malls, MTR stations, parks, recreational areas and government facilities. These enhancement projects enabled the visually impaired persons to broaden their social circles and activities that fostered their integration into the wider community.

 

Working together with its holding organization, The Hong Kong Society for the Blind (HKSB), BFAHK participated in the RFID Navigation System for the Visually Impaired Project organized by the Hong Kong R&D Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management Enabling Technologies (LSCM). BFAHK provided advice on the design principles of the navigation system, designed the routing of RFID tags and collected users’ feedbacks on the system. The result of the trial project was satisfactory. Further development of the system with LSCM would be conducted in 2015/16.

 

Social Enterprise Endorsement Mark and Other Awards

BFAHK has been awarded the Social Enterprise Endorsement Mark (Intermediate), which certified that it has been competent in operating and managing its business in accordance with the best practice requirements of social enterprise. Moreover, it was presented the “Partner Employer Award” and “18 Districts Caring Employers Award 2014” in appreciation of its contribution in promoting employment of people with disabilities and building an inclusive and harmonious society.

 

Public Education and Sponsorship Activities

In order to promote social inclusion, BFAHK utilized its own fund to sponsor the setting up of the “Tactile World” public education area during HKSB’s Marathon Charity Concert 2015 at Metro Plaza on 7 and 8 March 2015. It also established the Tertiary

Education Students Aids & Appliances Subsidy Scheme and assisted eight visually impaired tertiary students this year to purchase adaptive equipment to facilitate their studies.

 

Future Development

In 2015/16, BFAHK will put more effort in cooperating with LSCM to further assess the feasibility of the RFID navigation system and explore the possibility to apply this technology in public facilities. Furthermore, it will continue to promote social inclusion public education programmes through board game activities in mainstream schools that have admitted visually impaired students.

 

Adaptive Equipment Service

The objective of Adaptive Equipment Service is to provide sales of adaptive equipment and supportive services to persons with visual impairment to enable them to stay active in work, school and community, and to improve their quality of life.

 

The sales income for 2014/15 was HK$5,304,980, a 79% increase from 2013/14 due to a number of unexpected major orders.

 

In 2014/15, we organized exhibitions with the Career Support and Development Centre for ophthalmologists, optometrists and special school teachers. These exhibitions helped them understand how daily living aids, and the advanced adaptive technology could meet the different needs of the visually impaired. A series of demonstrations on new products were also carried out for existing service users and potential customers. Portable video magnifiers and desktop CCTVs with bigger screen and high definition image were among the newly introduced products, some of which were equipped with high performance optical recognition function. We also introduced new Braille devices with more advanced features for users with very severe visual impairment.

 

 

Service Data

As at 31 March 2015

 

Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited

No. of tactile maps designed and produced (pieces)	150
No. of customers served (nos)	360
No. of orders (nos)	1,022

 

 

 

Adaptive Equipment Service

Units of equipment sold	454
Maintenance and repair services provided (in no. of job orders)	139

 

 

 

2014/15 Adaptive Equipment Sale Proportion

Repairs & Maintenance	139(23%)
Portable Magnifiers	117(20%)
Braille & Speech Devices	110(18%)
Others	89(15%)
Magnification Software	68(11%)
Desktop CCTVS	53(9%)
Embossers	22(4%)

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Eye Care and Low Vision Services

 

dispensed 24,215 pcs low vision devices to developing countries

provided 40,366 times eye care consultation services

 

The General Eye and Low Vision Centre

 

As one of the reputable eye clinics in Hong Kong, the General Eye and Low Vision Centre provided over 40,000 optometric and ophthalmological consultations and more than 1,000 major eye surgeries to its clients in 2014/15.

 

Training and Public Education

Being an internationally renowned low vision centre, we provided clinical low vision training to the final year optometry students of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, ophthalmologists at government hospitals and other local and overseas service providers and institutes. Some of the more outstanding training programmes and public education activities that worth highlighting are:

 

The “LCIF National Focal Persons Training on Low Vision”, organized with support from the Lions Clubs International District 303, was held the second time in September 2014. Twenty six participants from developing countries were trained to initiate programmes in their home countries that would facilitate the identification of persons with visual impairment, and the provision of sight enhancement devices to strengthen their abilities and skills for independent living.

 

The “Teachers Training Course on Supporting Learning Needs of Students with Cortical Visual Impairment”, organized with the Ebenezer School and Home for the Visually Impaired in February 2015, provided training to 24 special teachers and therapists, and equipped them with the appropriate knowledge and skills to teach students suffering from cortical visual impairment.

 

A one-day seminar on supportive services and resources for students with visual impairment was organized with the Education Bureau in December 2014 for teachers who served students with visual impairment in integrated schools. It provided up-to-date information and knowledge to the teachers to maximize their ability to assist the visually impaired students.

 

The “Glaucoma No Way & 2013 World Sight Day Programme - Blindness Prevention with Glaucoma Screening and Public Education” was started at the end of 2013 with funding from The Link Real Estate Investment Trust. Between April and September 2014, we have provided screening services to around 2,000 senior citizens in the community.

 

Comprehensive Home and Community Based Low Vision Rehabilitation Services to People with Low Vision in Hong Kong (CLR) Project Funded by The Community Chest of Hong Kong and The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the three-year CLR project has just completed its second year. The Project’s optometrist and occupational therapists paid 590 home visits to the elderly with low vision. Eye examination and home improvements were carried out.

 

Surgical and Consultation Subsidies to the Needy

With generous donations from the S.K. Yee Medical Foundation and the Yin Shin Leung Charitable Foundation, the Centre provided subsidized cataract surgery to restore the eye sight of 15 patients with financial hardship. One thousand eight hundred and forty patients living on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance had 50% of their consultation fees waived. These subsidy programmes helped to improve the visual and related functional abilities of the poor and allowed them to regain independence and live better lives.

 

Vision 2020 - Low Vision Resource Centre

As the most resourceful centre providing low-cost but high-quality low vision devices and assessment equipment in the region, Low Vision Resource Centre (LVRC) regularly reviewed and updated its product list and proactively helped its clients to resolve shipment and technical difficulties.

 

To reduce shipment costs and have better control over production quality and time, LVRC plans to have some assessment equipment manufactured locally in the year to come.

 

For low vision training, LVRC helped to organize the “LCIF National Focal Persons Training on Low Vision” in September 2014 for 26 representatives from developing countries.

 

 

Service Data

As at 31 March 2015

 

General Eye and Low Vision Centre

General Eye	Total No. of Patient Attendance
No. of ophthalmologic consultations	19,509
No. of optometric consultations (including 531 low vision cases)	20,857
No. of major eye surgeries	1,033

 

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Education and Community Support Services

 

transcribed 607 titles Braille books

collected 12,177 titles Braille books

 

Centralised Braille Production Centre

 

Production of Braille Books

Centralised Braille Production Centre (CBPC) accomplished various production targets with improvement in terms of quantity and scope. To support Ebenezer School in its English Learning scheme, a new Braille tabloid named ”小小英語樂Goodies” was successfully launched forthe academic year of 2014/15. Both Grade I and Grade II versions are now available for the 22 issues selected by the School to enhance students’ English reading ability. The teacher-in-charge was very pleased with the result of the project. The publisher has made this a cover story in the March 2015 Issue.

 

CBPC has also completed its bi-yearly Braille Textbook Production Survey in 2014. A total of 70 Braille and 110 print copies were distributed via Ebenezer School. A total of 99 questionnaires (26 Braille) were collected in May 2014. (Breakdown: 31.3% from Ebenezer School students, 21.2%  from integrated students, 17.2% from Ebenezer School teachers, 14.1% from Ebenezer School resource teachers, 11.1% from parents of Ebenezer School students, and 5.1% from parents of integrated students) Many were satisfied with CBPC service.

 

Braille Audio eBook Production

CBPC’s new Braille Audio eBooks Production, a joint project between The Community Chest of Hong Kong and the Information Accessibility Centre (IAC), started operation from April 2014. CBPC produced talking books by taking advantage of the Braille/ text-to-speech technology while IAC helped with circulation and promotion of the audio eBooks. Five audio eBooks were produced monthly, on average.

 

Information Accessibility Centre

Enriching the Library Book Collection and Building a Reading Culture

In September 2014, the Centre started to collaborate with Read-cycling, a non-government organization for book lovers. With a view to widen the exposure and knowledge of the visually impaired, they helped to recommend quality books to enrich our library collection and referred writers to be guest speakers at our reading programmes. We jointly organized two talks by writers in November 2014 and January 2015 respectively. The guest speakers invited were: Mr. Alexander Cheung Tai Chong and Mr. Steve Chung Lok Wai.

 

Tele-digital Library Services for the Visually Impaired

Access to newspapers, talking books, periodicals and other information through our Tele-digital Library continued to be very popular among our members. There are 24 telephone lines connected to the system, with 16 sponsored by the Hong Kong Telecommunication and eight supported by The Community Chest of Hong Kong.  On average, we received around 1,000 hotline calls every day.

 

Audio Description Services for the Visually Impaired

This project had been sponsored by The Community Chest of Hong Kong. In the past year, the Centre has reached a new milestone in the development of audio description (AD) services. We initiated to collaborate with many different organizations to conduct various kinds of new programmes and activities with AD for our service users.

 

Audio Description for Movies and Documentaries

The Centre helped to add AD sound track to the short film DVD set, “Talent -wise Employment” produced by RTHK for the Labour and Welfare Bureau. Thanks to the support of Media Asia, the Centre was granted the right to add AD sound track to the DVD of a new film “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart 2”. It was released in February 2015.

 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Project Grant : Parents Resource Centre for Visually Impaired Children

The Parents Resource Centre for Visually Impaired Children was able to meet both the funders’ requirements in providing quality services and the service needs of the visually impaired persons in 2014/15.

 

School Inclusion Sharing Programme

Through this Programme, visually impaired students and their parents had sharing with sighted students. Five workshops were conducted in five secondary schools for 209 students, 17 teachers and school social workers. These would facilitate the visually impaired students in soliciting more direct supports from their schools, peers and teachers, thus enhancing social integration of the visually impaired youngsters.

 

“Broadcasting Training and Internet Radio” Project

Six programmes with a total of 23 training sessions were organized for five visually impaired children and seven visually impaired youths. They were trained as DJs and technicians to record and produce quality radio programmes. A total of 49 radio programmes of about 870 minutes were produced and uploaded to the radio website. These included: travelogues, youth’s sharing, games, stories and profile interviews including backpackers, adult twins & parents of visually impaired members. In another new programme, 23 people from seven families produced sound recordings to share their family outing experiences. The recordings were uploaded to the Internet Radio for the Cathay Pacific Community Flight 2015.

 

“See Together, Happy Together with the Visually Impaired” Drama Project

The drama training workshop was started under the guidance of professional tutors from Theatre in the Dark. Seven visually impaired children and youth participated in the pilot project and helped to produce drama scripts based on their own special needs and experiences, with the assistance of 11 Inclusion Ambassadors recruited from the public. They performed the drama at the Summer Variety Show held on 17 August 2014 for 60 audiences.

 

Extra-curricular Activities Subsidy Scheme for Visually Impaired Students

Subsidies were given to 18 visually impaired students  to support their participation in extra-curricular activities and artistic advancement courses. Total amount of sponsorship dispensed was HK$42,710. The Scheme had received a HK$100,000 sponsorship from HNA Group (International) Company Limited, and was named after the Company as “HNA Extra-curricular Activities Subsidy Scheme for Visually Impaired Students”for 2015/16.

 

Fund Raising Projects

With the invitation from the organizer of Kiosk, “Kiosk Clean Beach Day 2014” was held on 8 November at Anglers’ Beach. Eighty volunteers including visually impaired youths, student volunteers from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Convoy Volunteer Team collected a total 200 kg of waste.

Together they had helped reduce carbon footprints, while friendships were fostered. A sum of HK$29,788 was raised to support the other activities of the Centre.

 

Resource Centre for the Deafblind

Five festival programmes were organized for the deafblind members and their families with a total of 231 participants.  Members enjoyed outdoor visits to Nina Fossil Garden, Noah’s Ark, and Lamma Fisherfolk’s Village. Hong Kong Disneyland also provided 43 complimentary tickets for our members. Besides, the deafblind members tried making icy moon cakes and bug bite ointment during the indoor programme. With funds raised from Love Coupon 2013, 21 elderly deafblind members aged 60 or above benefit from free single and family portrait services provided by St. James Settlement charity project – CARE Photograph Service on 9 August 2014. Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association also delivered a talk on guide dog service in Hong Kong to 17 members on 10 October 2014.

 

Social Inclusion and Volunteer Programmes

A grant of HK$31,377.20 was offered by Sham Shui Po District Council to organize and promote “Art & Talent” of deafblind members from August 2014 to January 2015. The Centre organized four workshops on dancing, music, paper quilling and wool felt handicraft.  A graduation performance and art exhibition were held on 24 January 2015 at the East Wing Hall of the Society and attracted nearly 100 audiences and visitors from the Sham Shui Po District.  Besides, the Centre’s volunteer and tactile sign training workshops, volunteer consolidation programmes and public education have recorded a total of 107 attendance during the year.

 

Volunteer Development Service

 

Volunteer Training and Gathering

As at March 2015, there were more than 840 individual volunteers and 100 corporate volunteers registered with the Society. Two volunteer orientation days were conducted on 28 July 2014 and 29 November 2014 for 53 new volunteers on the needs and skills in working with visually impaired persons. They were also taken on a tour to our service units so as to enhance their understanding about the services provided by the Society. Besides, we had launched a one-day camp on 4 December the same year for 92 volunteers on laughter yoga and team building. Furthermore, we had organized one training workshop on advanced programme skills and crisis management for 17 volunteers.

 

Caring Company Scheme

We nominated 18 partner companies and organizations for Caring Company/Caring Organisation Logos organized by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) in 2014/15. Awarded companies had attended the HKCSS Recognition Ceremony held on 25 March 2015. Four of our service units, namely, the Factory for the Blind, Career Support and Development Centre, Health Massage and Treatment Centre and Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited also took part in the HKCSS Caring Company Partnership Expo held on the same day to publicize our services for the visually impaired and to identify new corporate partners.

 

Volunteers and Donors Management System

With funding support from the Social Welfare Development Fund Phase II, a new Volunteers and Donors Management System will be launched in 2015.  This system can integrate with the existing donation management system for better administration of the volunteer and donor databases, enabling  more efficient service matching, training and statistical analysis, calculation of service hours and donation records.

 

The Way Forward

With the system, we can better coordinate volunteer matching service and improve donor relations. We hope that we can tap more financial and manpower resources from the community to serve the visually impaired persons. Furthermore, we will continue to provide two orientation days, one training workshop, one training day camp and a biennial appreciation ceremony for the volunteers, donors and corporate partners in the coming year.

 

Public Education Programme

With sponsorship from the Labour and Welfare Bureau on part of the public education programme costs during the year, we had organized public education programmes for 97 schools and organizations, with an attendance over 7,400. Eleven visually impaired Ambassadors were trained to introduce our services and barrier free facilities to the participants, lead the barrier free adventures in the community, and conduct sharings afterwards. Feedbacks from participants were positive and encouraging.

 

 

Service Data

As at 31 March 2015

 

Centralised Braille Production Centre

 

Transcription Completed

Books

English	206
Chinese	401

 

Articles/Documents

English	180
Chinese	231

 

Throughput

Books (Volumes)	4,992
Books / Articles / Documents (Sheets)	728,709

 

Other Production

Braille eBooks	589
Braille Audio eBooks	60

 

 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Project Grant :

Parents Resource Centre for Visually Impaired Children

 

Member Attendance

Drop-in members	2,553
Visitors	186
Enquiries / Referrals	90
Toy & Resource Loans	283

 

Number of Programmes and Attendance

 

Programmes	210
Attendance	2,565

 

Information Accessibility Centre

 

Members    2,931

 

Tele-digital Library Service for the Visually Impaired

Usage Frequency  337,091

 

Collection

Braille Books (Titles)	12,177
Talking Books (Titles)	6,479
Music Compact Discs (Discs)	6,501
CD-ROMs / VCDs / DVDs (Discs)	8,208

 

 

 

Loans

Braille Books (Volumes)	6,788
Talking Books (Titles)	8,062
Talking Periodicals (Cassettes)	11,715
Braille Periodicals (Volumes)	5,831
Music Compact Discs (Discs)	5,538
CD-ROMs / VCDs / DVDs (Discs)	3,221

 

 

 

Resource Centre for the Deafblind

 

Demographic data of deafblind members

Male	58(43%)
Female	76(57%)

 

 

 

Age Profile

20 or below	35(26%)
21-30	14(10%)
31-40	9(8%)
41-50	13(10%)
51-60	20(15%)
61-70	22(16%)
71-80	3(2%)
81 or above	18(13%)

 

 

Volunteers Development Service

No. of Individual Volunteers Registered	859
No. of Corporate Volunteers Registered	71
Total No. of Service Hours	29,072
Total No. of Collaborated Organizations and Corporations	60

 

Public Education

 

 

Public Education Programme

No. of schools and organisations	97
No. of participants	7,407
No. of visitors to HKSB headquarters	77
No. of sighted-guide talks	51
No. of sharing by visually impaired persons	53
No. of experiential games	49