Affiliations: Ergonomics and Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong | Occupational Therapy Department, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Hong Kong | Occupational Therapy Department, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Andy S.K. Cheng, Ergonomics and Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. Tel.: +852 2766 5396; Fax: +852 2330 8656; E-mail: andy.cheng@polyu.edu.hk
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Before 1993, vocational rehabilitation services in Hong Kong mainly adopted a prevocational training approach at the outset, before placing people with disabilities in competitive employment. In order to improve outcomes, particularly the rates of employment and job retention, supported employment (SE) was introduced and later endorsed by the Rehabilitation Development Coordinating Committee in 1995. OBJECTIVE: SE is a vocational rehabilitation method based on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. It promotes high levels of integration with the clinical team to help people with disabilities obtain and maintain community-based competitive employment in their chosen occupation. METHODS: This paper presents a review of literature on supported employment services for people with mental disabilities in Hong Kong and the growth since its development. RESULTS: Results of local studies provide evidence that SE, although originally developed in the United States, is generalizable to Hong Kong. CONCLUSION: This article describes the development of SE in Hong Kong and the challenges of implementing it in a local context. Finally, it presents ideas for the future direction of SE in Hong Kong.
Keywords: Mental disabilities, supported employment, Hong Kong, constraints, future direction
