簡介
Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focussing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
最新
Faride Shroff, the Founder and CEO of SENsational Foundation
Hello, My name is Faride Shroff, the Founder and CEO of SENsational Foundation. Disability inclusion is an increasingly important field that has gained prominence and attention in recent years. Despite this, people with disabilities often referred to as PwDs, remain a marginalised and often neglected group in society, as well as an untapped talent pool, with limited access to opportunities and resources, especially in Hong Kong.
There are a number of prominent problems that PWDs are facing in the workplace and in education. Whether this be a lack of knowledge on disability inclusion or the sheer disinterest in hiring people with disabilities, there is a large gap in disability awareness in Hong Kong.
To begin with, let’s talk about accessibility, there are so many buildings, offices, public facilities and educational institutions where accessibility measures have not been kept in mind. This can be solved by adhering to the principles of human centred universal design for urban development. Even new buildings that are meant to be fully accessible for all, have limitations such as cargo lifts for wheelchair users, smaller lift door sizes that hinder movement, lift buttons without sensory and tactile accommodations, and heavy access doors that only have a handle. Accessible restrooms ironically are still not accessible to all PwD’s.
Making physical spaces, transportation, information, and communication accessible to individuals with diverse disabilities are very important. Some real time examples could be installing ramps, elevators, and handrails and designing websites and digital content to be accessible to people with visual or hearing impairments. Advocating for their rights through public campaigns, workshops, and training programs that educate the general public, employers, and educators about disabilities ignites the conversation about disability inclusion and hopefully sparks action from society we live in.
Discrimination and social isolation are another factor that affect PwD’s on a daily basis. Whether that discrimination is from peers or from the general community, whether this is intentional or not, it manifests due to unconscious bias, judgment and fear. Due to this, PwD’s face stigmatisation leading to social isolation and limiting their social interactions. This isolation can impact their well-being and mental health, interfering with their integration into the workplace and educational environment.
Limited opportunities in education, services and employment are also affected in Hong Kong. It is an ongoing journey where we all have a part to play. Each student has a right to be given equitable opportunities to thrive in the learning environment, to receive a fair education regardless of disabilities. Along with lack of accommodations, many schools and companies do not provide assistive technologies such as braille displays or speech to text software. PwD’s often face multiple barriers when seeking employment, which stems from the stigma and negative preconceived opinions about their capabilities. Due to these perceptions, companies tend not to consider PwD’s when posting job vacancies.
It is a learning process for everyone. The first step is acknowledging the problems that PwD’s face on a daily basis and educating yourself on how you can make a difference whether that be in the workplace, educational environment or in your community. Collaborative efforts and activating allyship need to be done to address these challenges. The mindset of promoting accessibility, implementing inclusive policies and most importantly raising awareness about disability inclusion needs to happen every day. Even the smallest change can make a PwD’s daily experiences more positive. By breaking barriers of stigma that surrounds PwD’s, it is already a step in the right direction.
At SENsational Foundation, we believe that disability inclusion is not only a matter of social justice but a human right. Investing in disability inclusion, we will be able to create a more equitable and inclusive society where everyone can participate and reach their full potential. Remember, we all are SENsational! I would now like to dedicate this song for all PwD’s saying I am Alive by Celine Dion.
重溫
Phoebe See , Coordinating Secretary of The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong
Hi I am Phoebe See Man-yan, the Coordinating Secretary of The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong.
Photographs and videos capture the joyous moments and giggles of family gatherings. Parents would often like to cherish every second and tell the world that their children are the prettiest and most precious thing to them.
Nowadays, "sharenting" has become a popular trend wherein parents eagerly upload photographs or videos featuring their children to various social media platforms. Regrettably, this seemingly innocuous act may cause emotional distress in some children, making them feel uncomfortable and embarrassed.
The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong interviewed around 800 parents and 1,100 primary and secondary school students from September to November last year. The findings revealed that more than 80% of the surveyed parents shared their children's information on social media platforms, with nearly 32% sharing across multiple platforms. However, approximately 30% of parents did not obtain their children's consent before sharing photos or videos online, and nearly 40% rarely or never discussed their habits of sharing their children's information. Moreover, nearly 60% of surveyed parents believed that sharing their information would not cause their children to experience negative emotions such as embarrassment, annoyance, or anger.
In terms of children's perspectives, nearly half of those surveyed were aware that their parents shared details about their daily lives online. In some cases, parents even created separate accounts just for this purpose. The children polled generally believed that parents should obtain their consent before sharing their information online, and more than 70% preferred that their parents not share their personal information online. Furthermore, nearly 30% were annoyed, while over 20% were angry at their parents for sharing their information without their consent.
We recognize that parents often feel proud of their children's accomplishments and feel compelled to share these moments with others. However, oversharing may have negative outcome for their children. These include issues arising from the disclosure of personal information and the emergence of trust issues between parents and children, which negatively impact their relationship.
Children of different age groups all need to feel safe and loved, and starting at the age of 7, they begin to desire respect. If these developmental psychological needs are not met, children may easily become passive, withdrawn, insecure, lacking trust in others, and struggling to establish relationships. They may even exhibit rebellious behaviour and resist actions that do not show them respect.
Furthermore, "sharenting" may have unintended consequences, including the risk of jealousy and cyberbullying. Many parents see it as an adorable moment shared on social media, but it may disturb other children in the same picture as well. The worst-case scenario for the long-term consequences of "sharing" is that the children grow up only to discover that every intimate detail of their lives has been exposed online. These unerasable data are not only embarrassing but may also encourage criminals to use them for illegal activities.
The Chinese YMCA proposes using the concept of "S.U.M.", that means Support, Understanding, and Mindfulness as a guiding principle for parents. As we encourage parents to practice mindfulness and be aware of their own internal needs, we also encourage introspection when seeking attention from the others. Parents should consider their motivations for sharing online, such as validation, social connection, or bonding with their children only. After all, parents' genuine affection for their children is more important than the number of “social media likes” they received.
As technology continues to advance, it becomes crucial for parents to be mindful of the information they share about their children online. With that in mind, the Chinese YMCA would like to remind parents of a few important points. It is crucial to seek their children's consent before sharing any information about them. Also, parents should avoid exposing personal information about children, such as the full names, school names or whereabouts of their children, or uploading sensitive images of children. Always respect your children's decisions, respect their wishes if they want pictures to be removed.
Before uploading photos of your children, take a moment to consider what needs you are trying to fulfill. Is it a need for approval from others? Is it a desire to feel connected to society? Remember, as a parent, your efforts towards your children deserve self-appreciation. And your love for them doesn't require constant validation through praise from the others.
