Featured Report

An Overview of Hong Kong Disabled Persons’ Participation in Recreation and Sports Programmes

Professor Frank FU, Hong Kong Baptist University

The 2014-2015 annual Community Sports Club Management Development Advanced Course sharing session cum graduation ceremony was held successfully on 1st March, 2015. In addition to scheduling sessions for graduates to share their internship experience on that day, we invited Prof. Frank FU, Director of Dr. Stephen Hui Research Centre for Physical Recreation and Wellness in Hong Kong Baptist University, to hold a talk about an overview of Hong Kong disabled persons’ participation in recreation and sports programmes.

Prof. FU told our graduates two figures known to very few people: among approximately 700,000 people with disabilities in Hong Kong, about half of them suffered from a severe disability. Hong Kong people typically perceive disability as a physical trait; however, “disability” is actually an umbrella term that includes mental disability, blindness, deafness, speech impairment and chronic illnesses (such as diabetes and heart disease).

When speaking of the quality of life of the disabled in Hong Kong, Prof. FU cited the Hierarchy of Needs theory of American psychologist Abraham Maslow. With regards to “physiological needs”, the first level of the hierarchy theory, he thought that Hong Kong’s society was affluent enough to provide sufficient resources to satiate disabled persons’ food needs. However, disabled persons should enjoy a healthy life, and not be forgotten by the society. They should not look down upon themselves. He also emphasized that anyone who cares about the disabled should help them develop a positive attitude towards life and self-sufficiency, instead of seeing them as a burden to society.

Professor FU with the graduates and tutors of the Community Sports Club Management Development Programme Advanced Course

When speaking of “safety needs”, the second level of the hierarchy theory, Prof. FU conceded that the current education policy failed to fully address the needs of the disabled. The lack of special schools, for example, was evidence of this. Although the government advocated the assimilation of mentally disabled children into normal school, these children are actually different from children who suffer from physical disabilities. They may not be able to follow the learning pace, and they need extra care. If teachers are too clocked up, the learning progress would be hindered and might even affect the employment of these children later in life. Therefore, schools must cooperate with parents in order to take good care of mentally disabled children.

Lastly, Prof. FU pointed out that exercise can help build a healthier body and sports competition can help participants to handle failure and pick themselves up to face future challenges. He hoped the authority and the community could organize more sports events or fun days. He also encouraged graduates to put what they had learnt to good use and dedicate themselves to the promoting of sports activities to help disabled persons relax, relieve stress, increase self-worth and increase their sense of achievement to prepare them for the ups and downs of life.