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Employment of People with Disabilities in the Civil Service

Policy

It is the Government's objective to enable people with disabilities (PWDs) to integrate into the community through the process of vocational rehabilitation and eventual gainful employment. This is in compliance with the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (Chapter 487) which seeks to ensure equal opportunities for PWDs so as to facilitate their integration into the community. As the largest employer in Hong Kong, the Government recognises the importance of setting a good example in employing PWDs and is dedicated to giving PWDs a fair chance of being considered for government posts along with other candidates and an appropriate degree of preference for appointment over other candidates.

The key elements of the Government's policy on employment of PWDs are:

  • Applications for government jobs from PWDs are welcomed.
  • Candidates with disabilities are not subject to shortlisting, if any, in recruitment exercises. All candidates with disabilities who meet the basic entry requirements for the post concerned will be invited to attend the selection interviews/tests.
  • Candidates with disabilities found suitable for employment will be given an appropriate degree of preference for appointment over other applicants. A candidate with disability found suitable to carry out the duties of a particular post may be recommended for appointment even though he/she may not be able, on account of his/her disability, to perform the duties of every post in the same rank.
     

The arrangements above apply to the employment of civil servants as well as staff on non-civil service terms.

Assistance to Departments

The Civil Service Bureau provides funding for the procurement of technical aids for staff with disabilities with a view to enabling them to perform their duties more efficiently. Examples of technical aids procured include hearing aids, scanner, computer with Braille display, movable footrest, etc.

The Civil Service Bureau has issued a set of comprehensive guidelines to assist departments to comply with the Government's policy on the employment of PWDs in the Government. In addition, it has published a booklet entitled "Working with People with Disabilities in the Civil Service" to enhance departments' understanding of the policy on the employment of PWDs and provide practical tips on how to work with such people.

Booklet on Application for Government Jobs by Persons with Disabilities

To facilitate job seekers with disabilities in obtaining a better understanding of the Government's policy and measures on employment of people with disabilities, the Labour Department (LD) has, in collaboration with the Civil Service Bureau, issued a booklet entitled "Employ People Based on Their Abilities - Application for Government Jobs by Persons with Disabilities". The booklet sets out the major points to be noted by applicants with disabilities in applying for government jobs and the assistance provided by the Selective Placement Division of LD for job seekers with disabilities.