To support the employment of persons with disabilities, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) launched the Support Programme for Employees with Disabilities (SPED) in June 2013 to provide employers of persons with disabilities with a one-off subsidy for each employee with disabilities for procurement of assistive devices and/or workplace modifications. The programme aims to assist employees with disabilities in discharging their duties in the workplace and enhance their work efficiency. The SPED has been open for applications all year round since February 2019.
      
     A wide range of assistive devices and workplace modifications which cater for the special needs of employees with disabilities at the workplace may be considered for support. Examples include computer accessories or adaptive equipment, optical magnifying devices, hearing and assistive devices, Braille products and handrails.
      
     The Po Leung Kuk has been commissioned to serve as the SPED Administrator. It assists in administering and promoting the SPED, provides advisory services and follows up on the progress of the subsidised programmes. It also prepares assessments on the applications and makes recommendations to the Committee on the SPED set up by the SWD for consideration.
      
     With a view to enhancing the support to employees with disabilities and their employers, a comprehensive review of the SPED has been conducted by the SWD. The maximum support level for the SPED has been raised from $20,000 to $40,000 with effect from March 2020.
      
     Employers may apply for a subsidy under the SPED through nomination by the following referring organisations:
      

1. non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating SWD-subvented vocational rehabilitation services;
2. NGOs running training courses for persons with disabilities or persons recovering from work injuries with the funding support of the Employees Retraining Board;
3. the Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department;
4. the Vocational Training Council; or
5. the SPED Administrator (Po Leung Kuk).

      
     Employers may submit their completed application forms together with the required documents by mail or by hand to the SWD through the referring organisations. No application fee is required and each applicant may submit more than one application.
      
     For enquiries, please contact the Po Leung Kuk SPED Office by phone at 3980 9677, by email at sped@poleungkuk.org.hk or by fax at 3980 9633.
      
     Members of the public may visit the SWD website at www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_rehab/sub_listofserv/id_vocational/id_sped/ for the latest updates and download the information note and SPED application form.

     To support the employment of persons with disabilities, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) launched the Support Programme for Employees with Disabilities (SPED) in June 2013 to provide employers of persons with disabilities with a one-off subsidy for each employee with disabilities for procurement of assistive devices and/or workplace modifications. The programme aims to assist employees with disabilities in discharging their duties in the workplace and enhance their work efficiency. The SPED has been open for applications all year round since February 2019.
      
     A wide range of assistive devices and workplace modifications which cater for the special needs of employees with disabilities at the workplace may be considered for support. Examples include computer accessories or adaptive equipment, optical magnifying devices, hearing and assistive devices, Braille products and handrails.
      
     The Po Leung Kuk has been commissioned to serve as the SPED Administrator. It assists in administering and promoting the SPED, provides advisory services and follows up on the progress of the subsidised programmes. It also prepares assessments on the applications and makes recommendations to the Committee on the SPED set up by the SWD for consideration.
      
     With a view to enhancing the support to employees with disabilities and their employers, a comprehensive review of the SPED has been conducted by the SWD. The maximum support level for the SPED has been raised from $20,000 to $40,000 with effect from March 2020.
      
     Employers may apply for a subsidy under the SPED through nomination by the following referring organisations:
      

1. non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating SWD-subvented vocational rehabilitation services;
2. NGOs running training courses for persons with disabilities or persons recovering from work injuries with the funding support of the Employees Retraining Board;
3. the Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department;
4. the Vocational Training Council; or
5. the SPED Administrator (Po Leung Kuk).

      
     Employers may submit their completed application forms together with the required documents by mail or by hand to the SWD through the referring organisations. No application fee is required and each applicant may submit more than one application.
      
     For enquiries, please contact the Po Leung Kuk SPED Office by phone at 3980 9677, by email at sped@poleungkuk.org.hk or by fax at 3980 9633.
      
     Members of the public may visit the SWD website at www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_rehab/sub_listofserv/id_vocational/id_sped/ for the latest updates and download the information note and SPED application form.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

     Rents for 10 445 flats, tentatively scheduled for completion between July and December 2021, of nine non-standard blocks at a Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) new public rental housing (PRH) estate and two existing PRH estates will be set at the best rent levels in their respective districts.
 
     The best rent at $93.80 per square metre per month for the flats in the Urban District will apply to 1 040 flats in Hoi Shing House of Hoi Tat Estate.
 
     The best rent at $90.70 per sq m per month for the flats in Kwai Chung District will apply to 540 flats in Heng King House of Lai King Estate.
 
     The best rent at $66.50 per sq m per month for the flats in Fanling District will apply to 8 865 flats in Wong Yet House, Wong Yi House, Wong Shun House, Wong Sheng House, Wong Wui House, Wong Lok House and Wong Ching House of Queens Hill Estate (Queen's Hill, Fanling).
 
     "Under this rent-fixing exercise, over 91.6 per cent of the flats are set at a rent level below $2,500 per month," a spokesman for the HA said today (June 11), adding that PRH rents, which are inclusive of rates, management fees and maintenance costs, are heavily subsidised.
 
     "PRH applicants who are allocated new flats but cannot afford the rents may request refurbished flats at lower rents, and they may also apply for assistance under the Rent Assistance Scheme for flats in older block types where applicable," the spokesman added.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     US Dollar Liquidity Facility tender notice:
 

Note: Licensed Banks interested in participating in the tender for the first time are encouraged to provide US dollar settlement instructions by email (settlementsection@hkma.gov.hk) to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's Settlement Team in advance, preferably two days prior to the tender. Required information includes name of corresponding bank, name of final beneficiary (must be the Licensed Bank participating in the tender), and account or CHIPS number of a US dollar bank account to be settled in the United States. Such information needs to be provided once only, unless there is further change.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 11) that the standby arrangement for non-fee charging land recreation and sports facilities starting from the 20th (or the following working day) of each month will be resumed from June.

     Members of the public can book remaining vacant sessions or pitches/courts of the non-fee charging land recreation and sports facilities for the month of July at various District Leisure Services Offices (DLSOs) or individual venues from June 21 (Monday). To avoid crowds gathering at DLSOs, the standby arrangement for some venues will be processed at other designated locations. Please refer to the Annex for details.

     The standby arrangement for other non-fee charging land recreation and sports facilities not listed in the Annex will be processed at various DLSOs. The addresses of DLSOs are available at www.lcsd.gov.hk/clpss/en/webApp/PhoneAddress.do?cat=DLSO.