'NGOs Can Do More To Help Disabled People Find Jobs'

Experts have called on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to play a bigger role in helping people with disabilities find jobs, saying their study found that many employers are unable to source suitable candidates, or simply don't have the knowledge to create a working environment to cater for their needs.

Researchers from the Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service and the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) surveyed 200 employers and human resources professionals between February and September.

The study found that half of the respondents had hired disabled workers, mainly through NGOs.

However, about one-third of employers said they were unable to find candidates who match their needs, while more than half said they found it hard to create an inclusive workplace environment.

CityU professor Kwan Chi-kin said NGOs should play a bigger role in bridging the gap.

"Many enterprises lack knowledge in supporting people with disabilities. They may not have the relevant knowledge. They don't know how to accommodate people with various disabilities," he said.

"I think NGOs should be able to play an important role to fill the gap, to support enterprises in recruiting and offer more resources so they can know how to accommodate people with disabilities."

He also called on the government to enhance education on disability inclusion to prevent discrimination in the workplace.

Meanwhile, the service head at the Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service, Carol Lee, said the government should subsidise NGOs to provide vocational training for disabled staff.

"It is not easy for the [disabled workers] to secure a job without any support from the enterprises. We have to put in extra resources. We have to coordinate with the enterprises. We have to provide some training for the enterprises. All these kinds of jobs are not funded by the government," she said.