Despite the work of the Equal Opportunities Commission, many people are still biased against people who are physically handicapped. You feel that more should be done to educate the public against it. Write a letter to the press discussing the kinds of prejudices the physically handicapped face. Suggest ways to educate the public and to establish policies to protect them.
Dear Editor,
Equality is one of the fundamental and indispensable values upheld in Hong Kong. However, discrimination against the physically handicapped is a substantive problem lingering in society. Apart from the work of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the government should take one more step to stamp out such undesirable discrimination through public education. This is an uphill battle in which every party especially the government should make efforts.
Sadly, the physically handicapped are misunderstood to be the ‘useless class’ or the ‘incompetent class’. Even tough there are numerous rehabilitation centres in society helping this class to acquire vocational skills, the sticks, wheelchairs and other ancillary equipment simply retard the development of their career. A research done by the Equal Opportunities Commission uncovered that 65% of the interviewees with physically handicapped were turned down in job interviews because the employers doubted their ability and competence. The flaws of their body are simply a stain in other people’s eye which represents their inability.
This is just a tiny part of the prejudice held by people. They miserably perceive the physically handicapped as the burden of society using their faults of body to gain what they want. While the Equal Opportunities Commission strives to achieve a barrier-free community, others simply think they shoulder no responsibility to bear this annoying burden. A study launched by the University of Hong Kong unveiled that 70% of private housings lacked comprehensive facilities especially the braille for this group because the residents object to the construction of these facilities. They claimed that it was completely unjustifiable to use their money to assist the physically disabled who weren’t the privileged class. The physically disabled seem to contribute nothing to society but they only unrelentingly ask for help. Such prejudice precludes this class from receiving a helping hand they desperately need.
The government has to persuade the public to forsake the prejudice by educating them in two directions. First, the government can make full use of the media. For instance, it can cooperate with RTHK and various free TV channels to broadcast regular live shows which could incorporate elements like inviting ordinary citizens to follow or even become handicapped people for a few days to experience the daily and work life of the physically disabled. Through the process, it is hoped that both the participants and audience can recognize the needs and capacities of this needy group. Commercials prompting the real abilities possessed by them can be frequently launched on TV too.
Another direction the government can follow is to provide opportunities for the public to really explore the world of these handicapped people. It can contemplate the recruitment of both the citizens and the disabled as volunteers of the community activities organized by itself. This serves to be a precious chance for the public to discover and appreciate the capabilities of the physically disabled. It is also a vital lesson for them to recognize the true position and value of this group of people in society. Hopefully, these measures can bridge the unnecessary gap and cultivate a harmonious relationship between the public and the disabled.
Education is not the sole way to dispel such prejudice. Concrete and effective policies should be formulated too. The government can adopt stick-and-carrot policies to protect the physically handicapped. For the stick policy, it should escalate the punishment of violation of laws concerning the interests of the physically disabled so as to deter others from discriminating them in any ways. Our society should clearly know the serious repercussions of discrimination.
Meanwhile, the government can encourage others to respect the physically handicapped in a soft way to protect them. For example, it can establish funds to subsidize companies to employ these potential handicapped workers, which works as an impetus prompting the business sector to offer job opportunities for them. Securing career places for them is actually equivalent to offering them chances to prove their abilities to society in return for people’s respect. The government should not protect them by building a concrete castle, but preparing a stage for them to shine.
Equality is the cornerstone on which Hong Kong is built. Discrimination and prejudices against the physically handicapped are totally unacceptable. They are also human beings who deserve respect and help from us.
Yours faithfully
Chris Wong