Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focussing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
April 2nd is World Autism Day, a day to raise awareness and promote acceptance and inclusion for individuals on the autism spectrum. According to recent studies, autism affects approximately 1 in 36 children globally, and Hong Kong is no exception—there has been a steady increase in autism diagnoses over the past decade. Meanwhile, Down syndrome is one of the most common genetic disorders, occurring in around 1 out of 700 births worldwide.
One of the biggest challenges faced by the individuals with autism and Down syndrome in Hong Kong is the lack of accessible support services. The shortage of trained staff equipped with the SEN knowledge and skills and the lack of suitable facilities make it challenging for the community to engage effectively in physical activities that promote their health and development.
Factors such as low motivation levels and social anxiety can act as significant barriers, exacerbating their conditions and potentially isolating themselves socially.
What’s more, caregivers and parents, too, experience high levels of stress, as the demands of caregiving are immense and often go unrecognized.
At Love 21 Foundation, we saw how much the Neurodiverse community in Hong Kong were held back by stigma and lack of opportunity. Our goal is to empower our community members with opportunities to reach their full potential through sports, nutrition, and holistic support programmes. Our strengths-based approach, together with our personalized and tailored programmes, motivate each of our members and their families to take ownership of their health.
Currently serving over 500 families, we provide support based on the six pillars of our holistic model:
1. Sport and Fitness - We provide over 500 sports and fitness activities to members and their parents every month. Led by experienced coaches and instructors, our diverse activities ranges from dancing, bocce, boxing, circuit training, dragon boat racing to yoga. We even have competitive teams programme for members who are dedicated to improving their skills and potentially represent Love 21 in internal and external competitions.
2. Nutrition and Dietetics – Members in the neurodiverse community have genetic predispositions that put them at a higher risk of disease such as obesity and diabetes. Combining with our fitness programme, we provide continued support to members through regular dietitian consultations along with fitness classes, as well as nutrition classes, cooking demonstrations and seminars.
3. Enrichment and Intervention – Other than sport and fitness activities, we also offer therapeutic classes such as art and music therapy sessions for our members. These classes are held with smaller teacher-student ratios where members can enjoy a more quiet and therapeutic space or for those who require closer care and attention.
4. Family Support - Our parent beneficiaries play a huge role in our classes and out. We do all we can to support the parents and their children such as offering counselling sessions, parent-only and family specialty classes, peer support groups, as well as employment opportunities for our members.
5. Community – We help our members and families to integrate into society by providing volunteering and stewardship opportunities. We also bring our members to various community events and social gatherings which help members connect to the community and better integrate.
6. Education and Advocacy - We are expanding our outreach programme where we collaborate with schools, corporates, and other organizations to raise awareness and advocate for inclusivity. Our CSR programme is extremely important, reason being that our beneficiaries are rarely seen and often misunderstood. Volunteering with us enables the wider community to learn about the challenges as well as building a relationship with the neurodiverse community through participating at our regular activities and interactions.
I’d like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to our supporters who have accompanied us on this shared path for the past seven years.
We will soon be opening our third centre where we aim to expand our reach and offer a wider range of support programs especially for family services. I’d like to encourage everyone to get involved—whether it’s volunteering, raising awareness, or simply being more inclusive in your daily life. Together, we can create a society where everyone feels valued and empowered to shine.
And the song I'd like to dedicate to our community members and caregivers is "Not so different" by Cassandra Kubinski.
The quality of taxi services in Hong Kong has long been a contentious issue, exacerbated in recent years by the rise of internet-hailing ride services and economic downturns. These challenges have significantly impacted the taxi industry, notably seen in the plummeting value of urban taxi licenses from $7.6 million in 2013 to approximately $3.1 million by mid-2024. The financial strain on taxi drivers, who often pay exorbitant rents to taxi owners, has led to diminished service quality and a lack of motivation to meet passengers' expectations.
In response to these issues and resulting public criticisms, the Hong Kong Taxi Council launched a customer service campaign in order to address industry shortcomings and revitalize service standards. This initiative seeks to acknowledge the challenges faced by drivers and demonstrate a commitment to improving service quality. It represents a pivotal moment for the taxi industry, highlighting the urgency for reform amidst declining public confidence and competition from ride-hailing platforms like Uber, which, despite facing legal hurdles, have captured significant market share due to their perceived convenience and competitive pricing.
Challenges of Operating Taxi Services in Hong Kong
Operating taxi services in Hong Kong presents multifaceted challenges, primarily driven by financial burdens and an outdated licensing system that favors a few incumbent owners. High rental costs for taxis directly impact drivers' earnings, leading to dissatisfaction and reduced service standards. The monopolistic nature of the licensing regime further stifles competition and innovation within the industry, hindering its ability to adapt to evolving consumer demands and technological advancements. The industry has also failed to attract young blood and hence most of the drivers are way past the benchmark of old age of 60 years.
The emergence of ride-hailing platforms has intensified competition, exacerbating the plight of traditional taxi services. Uber, despite operating in a legal gray area, has attracted a sizable customer base seeking more efficient transportation alternatives. This underscores the growing preference for flexible, technology-driven services that traditional taxis struggle to match. To remain viable, Hong Kong's taxi industry must confront these challenges head-on, addressing both regulatory barriers and internal operational deficiencies.
Can the Ambassador Campaign Really Help?
The effectiveness of the ambassador campaign hinges on its ability to instill a culture of professionalism and service excellence among taxi drivers. By emphasizing the importance of courtesy and customer satisfaction, the campaign could perhaps rebuild trust and improve overall passenger experience. However, achieving sustainable improvement requires more than just promotional efforts—it necessitates structural reforms and tangible incentives to incentivize drivers towards higher service standards.
Drawing insights from global practices, cities such as Singapore and Dubai, have integrated technology in taxi services. This provides a relevant benchmark for Hong Kong. Technology-enabled booking systems and electronic payments can streamline operations, enhance user convenience and service efficiency. Embracing similar innovations could bolster Hong Kong's taxi industry, making it more competitive and appealing to consumers accustomed to digital solutions.
Improvement Suggestions for the Government and Stakeholders
To foster lasting change, collaborative efforts between the government and industry stakeholders are imperative. Key recommendations are:
1. Reform the Licensing System: Transitioning towards a more competitive licensing framework based on performance metrics could stimulate service improvements. By diversifying ownership and promoting operational transparency, the government can create a more dynamic marketplace conducive to innovation and service quality.
2. Embrace Technological Integration: Expanding digital infrastructure, such as app-based booking systems and cashless payment options, would modernize service delivery and enhance user experience. Initiatives like the government's proposed rollout of premium taxi fleet licenses and e-payment solutions represent positive strides towards technological integration.
3. Promote Public Awareness: Educating consumers about their rights and responsibilities when using taxi services is crucial for fostering mutual respect and improving overall service interactions. Public awareness campaigns can enhance passenger satisfaction and encourage a culture of accountability among drivers.
Hong Kong is an international city renowned for its best of the class transport system. There is no plausible reason why the taxi service cannot be improved to same standards.