Social Enterprises in HK That Provide Opportunities to People With Disabilities

We all face difficulties, but there's no doubt that persons with disabilities face more barriers that could prevent them from fully functioning and participating in society. These barriers, according to the World Health Organization via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, do not just pertain to physical barriers, but also attitudinal, communication, policy, programmatic, social, and transportation barriers.

In Hong Kong, there were about 499,400 recorded persons with disabilities residing in domestic households in 2013, as per the Census and Statistics Department's 2013 Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report on Disability.

Persons with disabilities make up 7.4% of Hong Kong's population, majority of which are female (55%) and nearly 60% are elders aged 65 and above. The same report showed that among working-age persons (18 to 64) and elders with disabilities, 38.1% and 2.1% were economically active — both lower than the overall population's figures at 72.8% and 7.9%, respectively. (p. 11)

Nevertheless, there’s been some effort from the Hong Kong Government to create more opportunities for people with disabilities. In 2001, the Social Welfare Department launched its "Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities through Small Enterprise" (3E) project, with an allocation of HK$50 million from the administration. The government injected HK$100 million more into the project in 2012, and another HK$100 million in 2017 to continue the project's operation. (p.4)

Here are four NGO-led enterprises in Hong Kong that are supported by the 3E Project as of March 31, 2021.

Hong Chi Social Enterprise Office - hc:Bakery

Hc:Bakery, which started operating in 2009, is a licensed food factory by the Hong Chi Association. People with intellectual disabilities are trained by an experienced chef, creating standardized and customized cookies, as well as scrumptious cakes. Hong Chi Association also runs other social enterprises for the benefit of those with intellectual disabilities, such as the hc:Café, the hc:Kitchen, and the hc:Bistro, among others. 

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Holy Café Training Centre

Holy Café Training Centre by Self Strengthening Service Centre Limited is a café along Fuk Wah Street, Cheung Sha Wan. It provides employment job and training opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities so they can integrate into the community. Holy Café regularly works with volunteers amid the pandemic to distribute nutritious meals to the elderly in the neighbourhood.

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Café 8

Café 8, which is located on the rooftop of the Maritime Museum, is an initiative by The Nesbitt Centre in collaboration with other NGOs in Hong Kong. It provides an English-speaking vocational training programme for the centre's students, which comprise adults with learning disabilities so they can achieve independence and develop their potential. The café teaches adults with learning disabilities pertinent skills required in everyday life and the workplace, as well as helps them develop their participation in the community.

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iBakery

IBakery, a social enterprise established by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in 2010, trains and hires people with disabilities in Hong Kong to create scrumptious baked goods and a delicious healthy menu. IBakery has its own baking factory, bakery, cookie shops, restaurant, and snack kiosks to ensure they can spread their little bites of happiness to as many people as possible. We recommend iBakery's madeleines, biscotti, Kyoto matcha pound cake, and blueberry cheesecake!

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