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"Deaf Cafeteria" opens today

The first-ever cafeteria run almost solely by hearing-impaired people is open for business at the Lions Nature Education Centre in Tsiu Hang, Sai Kung today (Sunday).

Operated by the Hong Kong Society for the Deaf, the "Deaf Cafeteria" was officially opened by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok; and Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Lawrence Lee this morning.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Fok said the cafeteria was a self-service fast- food establishment with the main aim of providing equal job opportunities for the deaf in Hong Kong.

"The cafeteria is also tasked with employment counselling, 'open employment' and on-the-job training for the deaf so as to help them develop their potential.

"As the majority of its employees are hearing-impaired, it is hoped that they will make full use of this 'open employment' to boost their confidence and foster a spirit of independence," she said.

This will certainly help them integrate into the community, she added.

Mrs Fok paid tribute to the Society, which had, since its establishment in 1968, made strenuous efforts to improve the welfare for the deaf and to fight for fair treatment for them in the community.

"The opening for business of the cafeteria is a fine example of the Society's many achievements," she said.

Turning to Government's efforts, Mrs Fok said it would continue to seek more fund allocations with a view to expanding the territory's supported employment and to strengthening vocational assessment and training.

She said the Social Welfare Department had secured fund allocations in March this year enabling the number of supported employment vacancies to be increased from 30 to 360.