Building compassionate and inclusive workplaces can start with recognising the valuable talent pool of tertiary-educated individuals with disabilities. These individuals are eager to contribute their unique perspectives and skills to the workforce. While educational opportunities have fostered the growth of this skilled talent pool, organisations must now focus on creating truly inclusive and supportive work environment to embrace these talents.

The D. H. Chen Foundation recognises the pioneering efforts of CareER Association (CareER) in transforming workplace culture in Hong Kong. Its CareER Disability Inclusion Index launched in 2021 provides a comprehensive framework for assessing and enhancing employers’ readiness for inclusive practices. Benchmarks are set to encourage a competitive spirit among companies to improve their inclusivity standards as a strategic business imperative.

With the Foundation’s support, and following successful partnerships with multinational corporations since the Index’s inception, CareER is now developing a low-intensity version of the Index tailored for large local corporations and listed companies. This strategic expansion makes the journey toward workplace inclusion more accessible. As part of the programme, CareER will develop evidence-based guidelines to help organisations in creating supportive work environment for all.

The Foundation views this programme as instrumental in fostering more inclusive corporate culture across Hong Kong. By championing an ability-focused model, the initiative demonstrates that true inclusion honours dignity and diverse perspectives of every community member, creating environments where everyone can thrive. This initiative exemplifies the Foundation’s commitment to transformative social innovation and the building of a compassionate society.