2015 Best Practice Awards in Social Service - Outstanding Service Award

'Jockey Club Arts Accessibility Scheme' was awarded as one of the tenths Outstanding Service Award in the 2015 Best Practice Awards in Social Service, organised by the Hong Kong Council of Social Services. Mrs. C S Chong, MH, JP (Chairperson, Arts Accessibility Committee, ADAHK), Ms Ida Lam (Chairperson, ADAHK), Ms Chan Tung Mui (registered artists of ADAHK) and Ms Cymie Yeung (Manager, Arts Accessibility) attended the award presentation ceremony and received the awarded from Mr. Matthew Cheung Kin Chung, GBS, JP (Secretary for Labour and Welfare) and Mr. Bernard Chan (Chairperson, HKCSS) on 12 November 2015. 

Name of the Awarded Scheme

Jocky Club Arts Accessibility Scheme

Service Period

From July 2011 to June 2016 (5 years) 

Target and Beneficiaries

Persons with disabilties, the elderly, arts & cultural organisations

Total number of beneficiaries is approximately 120,000 people-times. 

Mission & Goals

We aim to provide arts accessibility services for people with different abilities and the elderly based on the 8 principles of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD), so that people with different abilities could participate in arts events in a more inclusive and accessible ways. The scheme aims to offer trainings for professionals to provide arts accessibility services, set up a database, research on overseas experiences, network with local and international arts organisations and continue to develop such services in Hong Kong. 

Details of the Scheme

Jockey Club Arts Accessibility Scheme is a 5-year pilot scheme offering arts accessibility services for various arts programmes presented by different arts organisations and / or government. Services include audio description, tactile diagram / tactile production, Hong Kong Sign interpretation, theatrical interpretation, simplified version of information, consultation of physical access, etc., so that people with different abilities could have an equal opportunity to appreciate arts. 

The Scheme is executed by a group of arts accessibility professionals who are well-trained in communication with people with different abilities and different art forms. The scheme also received '2014 Hong Kong Arts Development Awards - Award for Arts Promotion'. 

Achievements

Some arts and cultural organisations have not yet considered people with disabilities as their target audience. The Scheme provides one-stop professional services to these organisations, raise the standard and awareness of inclusivity of the industry and strengthen their audience bases. The Scheme also changes the former passive attitude of people with disabilities, makes them feel more empowered and enhances their individuality, resulting in a win-win solution.

On the other hand, through public education, consultation and strategic partnership with representatives from different sectors, as well as collaboration with overseas organisations and professionals, the Scheme introduces professional techniques of accessibility services to Hong Kong. The effective use of social resources and the World Wide Web is undoubtedly a key to success.

Photos 

The experienced and well-trained docent for accessible tours would adjust the activities according to the needs and abilities of tour participants. Everyone could enjoy the exhibition without barriers.  

'2014 West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre' provided the first touch tour and audio described performance of Cantonese opera in the world. People with visual impairments could enjoy the performance without barriers.  

Theatrical interpretation is a kind of Sign interpretation that reaches an artistic level. Theatrical interpreters will translate the lines, lyrics and sound effects of the theatre performance through Sign language and their facial expressions. (Photo of 'The Revenge of Local Heroes', Courtesy of Chung Ying Theatre Company)

People with different abilities can appreciate and know more about the artwork through different senses and accessibility services, such as audio description and tactile diagram.

Ms Celia Hughes, one of the founders of Audio Description Coalition was invited to Hong Kong to provide trainings for local audio describers.

We promote arts accessibility and social inclusion through various sharing and public education activities in schools or in the community. (Courtesy of Humanitarian Affairs UK)

Other Details

Link to the website of 2015 Best Practice Awards in Social Service (Chinese only)