Disney Magic is for Everyone!

Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

On December 3, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) marked the 30th anniversary of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) with an inclusive ‘Wondrous Dancing for All’ cavalcade down Main Street U.S.A. The event was part of a special programme for more than 1,000 invited guests, aimed at showcasing HKDL’s continued commitment to maintaining and enhancing a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion for people of all abilities and backgrounds. “At Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, we believe magic is for everyone,” said Michael Moriarty, Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. “We will continue to work closely with our valued community organisations on this journey of fostering inclusivity and developing Hong Kong Disneyland Resort as a place where people of all abilities can shine. I am incredibly excited and proud of our commitment to support the development of inclusion initiatives at our worldclass resort.” Joining the IDPD ceremony as guests of honour were Ricky Chu, Chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), Chua Hoi-wai, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Council of Social Service and Benny Cheung, Chairperson of Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities. After the opening ceremony at the Castle of Magical Dreams, it was time for the ‘Wondrous Dancing for All’ cavalcade. Specially put together by the resort’s Entertainment & Costuming team, the parade featured more than 100 talented participants of all abilities. Among those performing alongside HKDL cast members and Disney VoluntEARs were a group of wheelchair dancers from Hong Kong Wheelchair Dance Sport Association, wheelchair basketball players from Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth, a Taekwondo team from Spastics Association of Hong Kong and a group of people with hearing impairments from Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong. Kitty Hui, a wheelchair basketball player from Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth, said: “It was a very nice opportunity to be a cavalcade performer, especially during this celebratory event for the 30th anniversary of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, where Hong Kong Disneyland is promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities.” While IDPD is only one day in a year, HKDL places a strong, year-round focus on inclusion and has won a spot on the Hong Kong Council of Social Services’ List of Barrier-Free Companies for its achievements in accessibility. HKDL has also collaborated with community organisations to provide a ‘Barrier-Free Ambassadors Training Programme’ for the resort’s cast members to help them better understand the needs of guests with disabilities and how best to assist them. In order to support the community and celebrate the 30th Anniversary of IDPD, HKDL is donating more than 10,000 park tickets to people with disabilities for a second year through Hong Kong Council of Social Service and Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities. To find out more, visit www.hongkongdisneyland.com.