Disabled need ‘luck’
for higher education

By Debby Huang

Despite the fact that local universities provide opportunities for disabled students, such students still face a hurdle if they want a tertiary education because there are no Form 6 and 7 classes in special schools.

Disabled students can enroll in universities, however, through a sub-system under the Joint University Program Admission System.

Called the Sub-system for Applicants with a Disability, it was introduced in 1997 to help disabled students obtain information about special assistance provided by universities.

The sub-system also allows universities to identify disabled applicants and prepare relevant services for them at an early stage.

Under the sub-system, disabled students are offered placements in mid-July, half a month earlier than their non-disabled counterparts.

Cecilia Wong, executive director of the Joint University Program Admission System, said, “An interview may be arranged to see what assistance they need and whether they can be given some special consideration.

“Even if they are not admitted under the sub-system, they can continue to be considered in the main round exercise as those students without disabilities are.” Lee Kai Leung, a Year 1 Chinese Language and Literature student at the Chinese University, is one of the students who benefited from the sub-system in 2003.

He was born with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic neuromuscular condition that causes weakness and wasting of voluntary muscles.

Maria Wong, principal of Mr. Lee’s secondary school, John F. Kennedy Centre, said that Mr. Lee is lucky to be able to study at the university.

John F. Kennedy Centre is a special school run by the Hong Kong Red Cross for physically disabled students.

Mr. Lee is lucky because it was the first, and also the last time that the school had Form 6 and 7 classes. They were cancelled after Mr. Lee’s graduation.

No other special school in Hong Kong has ever offered Form 6 and 7 classes.

So disabled students have to go to mainstream schools after finishing Form 5.

“But the mainstream schools have limited experience and facilities,” said Ms. Wong.

“So they cannot help the disabled students very much.”

Ms. Wong recounted the plight of a former student who enrolled in a mainstream school but had to drop out because of the school’s inability to cope with his worsening health condition.

She believes that not having Form 6 and 7 classes in special schools deprives disabled students of equal rights for higher education.

However, the situation cannot be changed for the time being.

Ng Hok Ling, dean of academic affairs at Lutheran School for the Deaf, said this is because the government is practicing integrated education for disabled students.

Disabled students are encouraged to go to mainstream schools as early as possible.

Due to the decrease in student numbers, it is less likely now that special schools will have Form 6 and 7 classes.

“Besides, the government is now lacking money,” Mr. Ng added. “It cannot afford the classes at all.”

 

Disabled students
happy with CU’s facilities

Rehabilitation bus transports disabled students.(Debby Huang)

By Debby Huang

Disabled students at The Chinese University of Hong Kong are satisfied with its special facilities and services.

Ip Hoi Man, a Year 3 psychology student with mobility problems, said, “The university provides disabled students with electric wheelchairs and personal computers on loan.

“It also funds me to employ a maid, because I can’t look after myself.”

Lee Kai Leung, a Year 1 Chinese Language and Literature student at the Chinese University, was born with spinal muscular atrophy, a neuromuscular condition.

He is very satisfied with the rehabilitation bus service.

In operation since September 1998, the rehabilitation bus transports disabled students in the campus.

Also, the University Library System at the Chinese University provides disabled students with a variety of support facilities, including large monitors for visually impaired students and page turners for students with muscular atrophy.

In addition, lifts are being installed in some hostels like Grace Tien Hall, and ramps are under construction in some lecture theatres.

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