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This includes co-operating with the SPD and non-governmental organisations in the identification of target departments, conduct of sensitive job matching, more focused training for certain types of civil service jobs, better preparation of disabled applicants and selection boards for recruitment procedures, and planning of practical and helpful assistance at the workplace to the employment departments.

This approach was applied on a pilot basis to two recruitment exercises for office assistants and clerical assistants last year and, as a result, about one-third of all the disabled applicants turning up for interviews were found suitable for appointment.

Summing up the discussions at today's meeting, the Governor reiterated the Government's firm commitment to promoting and expanding the employment opportunities for people with a disability, in both the public and private sector. The Government will take a series of actions in the coming year:

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introduce the Disability Discrimination Bill into the Legislative Council next month

publish a White Paper on Rehabilitation by the end of May

continue to expand its educational and promotional programmes to improve public understanding of people with a disability

produce two sets of videos with guide books to strengthen publicity efforts

increase staff resources at the SPD

look for more ways of matching the skills of disabled people to the specific jobs on offer

provide 330 additional supported employment places

give urgent consideration to the final report to be received in May from the working party on training and employment for people with disabilities