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Zhou Mu-ru, a senior secondary one student in Guangdong, is among the lucky ones.
The blind youth, who enjoys computer and massage classes most, wants to be a teacher. 
And he has a chance of achieving his goal because he is fortunate enough to be getting an education.
Other young visually impaired mainlanders aren't so lucky, because of a general lack of educational  opportunities and support.
 But even if they achieve success in the classroom, the outcome is not always happy for a disabled person.
Li Ching was a high academic achiever despite her hearing impairment. She scored 26 points in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination and was admitted to Lingnan University a year later. 
But in 2008, she jumped to her death at the age of 26 because of  pressure at work.
People with physical disabilities have fewer chances in education and work, not necessarily because they are less talented.
On the mainland, the chance of higher education for the visually  impaired is slim.
Chong Chan-yau, president of the Hong Kong Blind Union, said: 'Some universities don't let blind students enrol in regular courses, so many of the visually impaired are bound to careers like massagers.'
The union, founded in 1964, set up an education fund in China six years ago. 
About 15,000 school-age children on the mainland are visually  impaired. But there are only 5,000 places in blind schools, according to statistics from the China Disabled Persons' Federation.
Some mainland schools do take blind students, but most of them do not offer 'meaningful integration', Chong said. 'They are allowed to sit-in, but there is no support for the  students,' he said. 
Meanwhile, for the hearing  impaired in Hong Kong, communication is the greatest problem in the workplace. 
Siu Yat-Tsan is a director of  Silence, an organisation founded two years ago to promote mutual respect between the hearing impaired and people with normal hearing. 
He said: 'Some employers think it is troublesome to have them.
'But actually, with sufficient communication, they will find that the hearing impaired concentrate more on their jobs.'
The organisations are two of the 16 beneficiaries of Operation Santa Claus, co-organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK. 
The Blind Union is hoping to use the money to continue the education fund, which has helped more than 200 students in the last five years. 
Each of the 35 students selected by their schools, based on their  economic circumstances and needs, will receive a HK$3,600 yearly sponsorship through the union's fund. 
Two schools in remote areas on the mainland are also going to  receive financial assistance to  improve facilities for the blind. 
Chong, during a visit to students on the mainland, found many of them have very positive career goals. 
He said: 'Their dreams may or may not come true, but we can at least give them some inspiration through education.'
 Silence is now run totally by  volunteers and in an apartment  borrowed from a donor. 
It hopes to get a new office and hire a full time staff member. 
Operation Santa Claus funding will enable the organisation to help 50 hearing impaired people to get job training and placements.
It will also develop a manual for employers to help them understand the needs of the hearing impaired.
How you can give
Donate online by credit card at osc.scmp.com
Donations can be made by ATM or at any HSBC branches: a/c number 502-676299-001 for SCMP CHARITIES LTD - OPERATION SANTA CLAUS
You can donate by cheque, payable to  'SCMP CHARITIES LTD - OPERATION SANTA CLAUS' and mailed to:
 Operation Santa Claus, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Donations of HK$100 or more are tax-deductible. If you'd like a tax receipt, please send the completed donation form and original bank receipt, with your name, address and phone number, to the address above
Contact us at osc@scmp.com or  2680 8159 or visit us online at osc.scmp.com



A better chance in life for the blind