Explore what Ocean Park is all about.
(3 December 2012 – Hong Kong) The International Day of Disabled Persons (IDDP) - Ocean Park Fun Day 2012 was held last Saturday, 1 Dec, for the 20th consecutive year, welcoming nearly 5500 guests with disabilities and their friends and families to Ocean Park for free. Meanwhile, Ocean Park has just expanded its comprehensive repertoire of corporate social responsibility initiatives by striking up acollaboration with the charity group, Yan Oi Tong, to renovate part of Tuen Mun Hospital’s paediatric ward and arrange educators, Whiskers and other mascots to provide regular educational visits to the children in residence. These aim to foster a comfortable environment for the children to spend quality time in the final days of their lives with beloved ones.
The IDDP Ocean Park Fun Day 2012 was organized by the Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, to be held at Ocean Park to enable citizens with special needs from all 18 districts of Hong Kong to enjoy the Park’s brand-new attractions such as Polar Adventure and Old Hong Kong, which were both opened earlier this year.
Mr. Cheung Kin-fai, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities, said, “We would like to thank Ocean Park again for hosting the IDDP Fun Day over the past 20 years. I would also like to congratulate the Park on being recognized as the top theme park in the world by clinching the prestigious Applause Award 2012 and three IAAPA Brass Ring Awards, which is a reflection of the Park’s continued drive for excellence. Ocean Park has always offered quality facilities and services which embody the spirit of Hong Kong, and has catered to the needs of guests with disabilities. At the same time, they are also dedicated to equal employment opportunities by hiring over 40 staff with disabilities.”
Mr. Todd Hougland, Executive Director for Operations and Entertainment, said, “Ocean Park has supported IDDP for the past 20 years to promote integration and a spirit of neighborhood among friends with disabilities. Apart from IDDP, we also offer free Park admission to holders of the Registration Card for People with Disabilities, as well as half-price admission to one accompanying friend or family member every day of the year. In 2011-2012, over 17,600 guests with disabilities had visited the Park for free to enjoy the wonderful experiences of entertainment, conservation and education on offer here at Ocean Park.”
“In addition to persons with disabilities, Ocean Park also treated 145,834 local seniors and 176,314 birthday boys and girls to free visits last year. The Park’s expanded birthday free entry offer for the 35th anniversary celebration also enabled 75,422 people accompanying their birthday friends to enter the Park at half price. In all, Ocean Park’s 13 social care programmes produced over 606,461 beneficiaries and a total value to the community equivalent to HK $143,468,427 – a 30% rise over the previous year and the highest ever in the Park’s history.” Todd added.
Apart from this, Ocean Park has further reinforced its social care initiatives by collaborating with Yan Oi Tong and Tuen Mun Hospital to furnish a multi-purpose activity room with Ocean Park elements. Furthermore, the Park will arrange regular visits to the Hospital’s Paediatric Ward by sending educators, Whiskers and mascots to bring joy to the children in residence. Educators will introduce rare animals such as giant pandas, gold monkeys, penguins and dolphins to the children through story-telling and games. They will also teach the children to make handicrafts.
