Occupy Central takes democracy message to Hong Kong's disabled community

The Occupy Central movement for full democracy is set to embrace a new group of participants: the disabled community, many of whom are lining up activities to make their voices heard after decades of being marginalised.

Silence, an NGO representing the deaf community, will hold a meeting today where members can discuss their political views and learn about relevant terms in democracy.

And on October 5, Occupy Central's organisers plan to stage a seminar for disabled people at which co-founder Dr Chan Kin-man will explain the movement to them.

"Due to limits of cognition, some of us do not understand what universal suffrage means," said Silence chairman William Tang Siu-chung, 32, in sign language.

Next month, Occupy Central will stage its second deliberation day to forge a consensus on the upcoming electoral reform of the chief executive and Legislative Council ballots.

Labour Party lawmaker Dr Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung, who liaises with the 440,000-strong disabled community, said that other than meetings and seminars, he was exploring the possibility of organising a deliberation day for them.

What the democracy campaign boiled down to was an opportunity for empowerment, Tang said.