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The Media, Communications and Information Technology
including students from low-income families, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and the underprivileged.
Internet Learning Support Programme
Some 80,000 families have enrolled in the government's Internet Learning Support Programme, which helps students from low-income families acquire affordable computers and internet access services, and supports them in using the internet effectively for learning. Following a 2013 review of the programme, additional products were introduced to meet different needs.
Promoting ICT Adoption among Persons with Disabilities
To facilitate access to online information and services by persons with disabilities, the government encourages accessible website design and 90 per cent of government websites conform to the latest international standards on web accessibility. The government organised activities to raise awareness and impart technical know-how, produced accessible website templates for ready deployment, and encouraged tertiary institutions to incorporate web accessibility in their ICT curriculum. The government's Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme (introduced in 2013) provides free advisory services to over 100 participating organisations, and 70 of these won awards for successfully implementing web accessibility in their websites.
Encouraging ICT Adoption among the Elderly
In 2013, nearly 2,000 elderly persons won awards in the government's Smart Elderly Awards, a scheme to encourage ICT usage among the elderly.
Supporting Underprivileged Groups
Nine ICT-based assistive tools and applications funded by the government were made available to persons with special needs. Two of them won renowned local and international ICT awards.
The government supported the development of seven mobile applications providing practical contents and services for various needy groups, including persons with disabilities, autistic children, ethnic minorities and the elderly. All the applications are available for free download and use.
Film Classification System
Hong Kong adopts a three-tier film classification system: Category | (suitable for all ages); Category II, which is subdivided into Category IIA (not suitable for children) and Category !IB (not suitable for young persons and children); and Category III (for persons who have attained the age of 18 years only). The aim is to allow adults wide access to films while protecting young persons under the age of 18 from exposure to potentially harmful materials. Category IIA and IIB classifications are advisory while the age restriction for Category III films is mandatory.
In 2013, 1,945 films were submitted for classification, compared with 1,878 in 2012. Of these, 681 were classified Category I, 566 Category IIA, 513 Category IIB, and 185 Category III. Film trailers, instructional films and cultural films intended for public exhibition can be exempted from classification. During the year, 11,554 such films were examined and exempted from classification.
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